Facilities Master Plan - 2012 - Chesapeake College

Chesapeake College January 2012 Facilities Master Plan UpdateSTUDENT HOUSINGThe following is excerpted from the 2007 Chesapeake College Facilities Master Plan. It is still valid for this facilities master plan update.The question of student housing on or near the Wye Mills campus has been considered for several years. Currently,there is no student housing on or near campus. There seems to be a demonstrated need for some housing, but theextent of market demand is not clear. So far, no one has taken on the risk or possible reward of undertaking astudent housing project for Chesapeake College. Housing on a community college campus is unusual, but notwithout precedent, and where it has been done in Maryland, it appears to both satisfy a need and to be financiallyviable.In 2000, a study was undertaken to examine the need and viability for student housing on the campus. The studywas conducted by Anderson Strickler, LLC, for a local development company. The market analysis part of the studyshowed that, while most survey respondents were not interested in student housing, some did indicate an interest,and the study went on to suggest a project of 60 to 160 beds. Affordability was cited as an important factor. Theproject did not proceed and there appears to be no significant interest by any outside developers in developing aproject at this time. However, that is not to say that providing housing for students in traditional or non-traditionalmodels would not be feasible.The College has reported that they normally assist at least 30 students – mostly student athletes – in finding housingwithin commuting distance to the campus. The permanent housing for these students is too far for them to commute.There is very little housing available for students – indeed for anyone – near the Wye Mills campus. Most of thestudents for whom the College has provided assistance found housing in developed towns and communities such asEaston, Centreville, and Chestertown. So, there is an identified need for at least 30 beds. Whether those 30students would choose to live in a student housing project on or near campus is not known. As commuter schools,most community colleges do not provide student housing. When they do, it is for students in specific programs ortargeted demographics. Currently, two other community colleges in Maryland provide housing: Garrett College andAllegany Community College.Queen Anne’s County has been reviewing proposals to develop properties near the College, adjacent to theintersection of routes US 50 and MD 213, described in the Chesapeake College Area Community Plan (CCACP)published in draft form by the Queen Anne’s County Planning Commission in 2006. The Plan is still under review.The intersection will, over time, develop to be an important highway interchange. The State Highway Administrationis planning to build a grade-separated “diamond” interchange in the future reflecting the growing traffic count on bothroads. The CCACP is proposed to accommodate a combination of commercial (office), institutional, and residentialdevelopment. There is little question that the lands around the intersection will be developed for more intensive usethan the current farmland; it is a matter of when, not if the properties will be developed. It is conceivable that somehousing as part of this development could satisfy some or all of the need for student housing for the College. Thatwill require further investigation.Several factors will need to be assessed before the College or a private entity, together or independently, will be ableto move forward with a student housing project, either on- or off-campus. Considerations include:4-39