Neighborhood profile: Swan Point

In addition, the Swan Point development is far from complete. About 1,500 residences, as well as a conference hotel and marina, have been proposed by partners U.S. Steel and Brookfield Homes. If approvals proceed and the market is favorable, the development company hopes to begin construction of the Villages at Swan Point in 18 months, said Dave Carro, Brookfield’s development director. The long-term plans have been in place for years; the developers built a wastewater treatment plant in anticipation of the larger community.

Swan Point is unique in that a waterfront development of its size in a “critical” environmental area would not likely be possible under current standards, said Peter Aluotto, the director of Charles County’s Department of Planning and Growth Management. Public hearings, part of the approval process, are continuing. The developers have taken steps to retain open space and to preserve shoreline with a combination of breakwaters and plantings.

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(Laris Karklis/The Washington Post)

Norm Chlosta, president of the property owners association, is supportive. “I’m positive about what they are planning to do,” said Chlosta, 71, who moved to Swan Point from Waldorf in 2000. Because of the foundering economy, “it’s going to take longer than they had envisioned,” he said.

Some residents, however, are wary of the plans, which would triple the size of the community. “There’s concern about property values of the older homes compared with the property values of the newer, nicer homes . . . And most people like things the way they are,” Holly Evans said.

Residents have grown to enjoy the close-knit community and see the semirural location as an advantage. Bonnie Douglas, who moved to Swan Point nine years ago from Clinton, said she remembers how nicely she and her husband, John, were treated when they attended a community dinner and a dance. “People came up to us and said, ‘Come sit with us, don’t sit by yourself,’ ” Douglas said. “We felt like a member of the community before our house was even built.”

Douglas, 65, got involved with the garden club and now is president of the citizens association, which coordinates social programs, including the welcome wagon and water aerobics at the pool. The golf and country club, which includes a restaurant, serves as a gathering spot and features programs like music on the terrace on summertime Fridays.

Rich and Barbara Jenkins also plunged into the social scene. Rich serves as commodore of Swan Point’s yacht club, although he admits with a laugh: “There are no real yachts. We have boats.” Jenkins said the club sponsors safety events and kayaking lessons at the pool. The club also holds “raft-ups,” in which boats tie up together for a day on the water.

The Jenkinses’ home on the Potomac River “is a 401(k) plan come true,” said Rich Jenkins, 69. He and Barbara, 66, government workers from Springfield, had planned to spend their retirement years on the water. “This was our dream,” said Rich Jenkins, who also enjoys Swan Point’s golf course, touted as one of the best in the region.

Still, residents say the distance from larger stores and even gas stations requires planning. “When we first moved here, I sorta felt like, ‘I’m really out here,’ ” Bonnie Douglas said. “But it’s definitely worth the distance. It’s a good lifestyle.”

Jim Brocker is a freelance writer.

ZIP CODE: 20645

BOUNDARIES: Swan Point, located in southern Charles County, is bounded by the Potomac River on the west and south; Cuckold Creek on the north; and the communities of Woodland Point, Potomac View and Issue near Route 257 on the east.

SCHOOLS: Public schools serving the community include Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School, Piccowaxen Middle School and La Plata High School.

SALES: In the past 12 months, nine houses have been sold in Swan Point at prices ranging from $274,900 to $595,000, according to Connie Saltarelli of Long & Foster. There are 18 houses currently on the market, at prices ranging from $205,200 to $995,000. There are four houses under contract, at prices ranging from $250,000 to $495,000.

TRANSIT: The closest transit to Washington is MTA Commuter Bus service from La Plata, about a half-hour from Swan Point. Charles County VanGo serves the U.S. 301 corridor, a 15-minute drive from Swan Point.

WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE: The community pool, marina, playground, and Swan Point Yacht and Country Club with tennis courts, golf course and restaurant.

WITHIN 10 MINUTES BY CAR: Restaurants in nearby Cobb Island.