Russett is an unincorporated planned community of 613 acres (2.48 km2) within the Maryland City census-designated place in far-western Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States, near the city of Laurel. It is situated in a park-like setting complemented by 12 miles (19 km) of walking trails and a 70-acre (280,000 m2) lake nature preserve.

Russett, Maryland
Downtown Russett, Maryland in November 2007
Downtown Russett, Maryland in November 2007
Russett is located in Maryland
Russett
Russett
Location in Maryland
Russett is located in the United States
Russett
Russett
Russett (the United States)
Coordinates: 39°06.5′N 76°48.2′W / 39.1083°N 76.8033°W / 39.1083; -76.8033
Country United States
State Maryland
County Anne Arundel
Established1992
Government
 • TypeHomeowners' association (7-member elected board of directors)
Area
 • Total2.48 km2 (0.96 sq mi)
Population
 • Total
13,000
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Websitewww.russett.org

Approximately 13,000 residents live in Russett, which is divided into 21 residential neighborhoods, including four condominium communities, 11 town homes, and six single-family home neighborhoods. Three apartment rental properties on four sites pay assessments to Russett, as do several on-site commercial properties. The community is built out to a capacity of 3,600 units.[2]

Organization

edit

The Russett Community Association, Inc. (RCA) is the homeowners' association (HOA), and all homeowners are members. Annual HOA fees paid by homeowners fund an annual $2.5 million budget, which goes toward maintenance of playgrounds; a tot lot; tennis, basketball and beach volleyball courts; four pools and a pool house; walking trails; a community center; and private security. The county opened a police substation near the community in 2006.[3]

Except for condominiums, which have their own board of directors, each neighborhood has a committee with up to three members (elected at the annual RCA meeting). These three elect a chairperson who serves as the voting member. Representatives from all neighborhoods meet monthly and advise on community issues, with voting members deciding on changes to community documents, special fee assessments, and membership in the board of directors.[4]

In November 2018, FirstService Residential contracted with Russett to provide property management services for the community.[5]

Geography

edit

Russett is bordered by the Little Patuxent River and 70 acres (280,000 m2) of wetlands within the Oxbow Lake Nature Preserve, which attracts waterfowl and other birds.[6] The Nature Conservancy considers the preserve's Laurel Oxbow Lake the largest naturally occurring freshwater lake in the state.[7] Also adjacent to Russett, along its southwestern borders, is an undisturbed 78-acre (320,000 m2) land parcel owned by the Anne Arundel County Board of Education.

Government services

edit

Within Russett is a $4.3 million library operated by Anne Arundel County Public Library. Completed in 1998, The Maryland City at Russett Branch is more than 15,000 square feet (1,400 m2) – or four times the size of its shuttered predecessor – with an initial collection of 80,000 items. The project was built on two acres (8,100 m2) donated by the developer, Russett Community Limited Partnership (RCLP).

Russett is within the 20724 ZIP Code and falls within Maryland State Senate and House of Delegates District 32. The community also lies within Maryland's 3rd congressional district and Anne Arundel County's 4th Council District.[8]

History

edit

Russett faced growth pressures triggered by the 2005 base realignment and closure process (known as BRAC). About 22,000 defense workers were expected to relocate to nearby Fort Meade over the next several years. About 100 to 150 households would move to Russett over that period because of BRAC, according to state projections.[9]

Schools

edit

The community is served by Anne Arundel County Public Schools and several private schools.

  • Monarch Global Academy, a new contract school serving Russett community children in grades K–8.[10]
  • Brock Bridge Elementary School. The school serves children in grades K–5.
  • Maryland City Elementary School. The school serves children in grades P-K5.
  • MacArthur Middle School. The school serves children in grades 6–8.
  • Meade Middle School. The school serves children in grades 6–8.
  • Chesapeake Science Point Charter School, a charter school that serves Russett community children in grades 6–12.
  • St. Mary of the Mills, a private school that serves children in grades K–8.
  • Bethel Christian Academy. This is a private school that serves children in grades PK–8.
  • Meade High School. The school serves children in grades 9–12. Meade is home to the 2015 Men's Basketball 4A State Champions.[11]
  • St. Vincent Pallotti High School. This is a private school that serves students in grades 9–12. Pallotti is home to the 2014 Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association C Conference Football Champions.[12]
edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Case: Anne Arundel County, Maryland Public/Private Ownership of a Wastewater Treatment Facility". A Collection of Case Studies. University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center. Retrieved October 26, 2007. the site totals 613 acres (2.48 km2)
  2. ^ "Parcel Information". Russett Community Association. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  3. ^ "New Anne Arundel County Police Sub-Station Officially Opens in West County" (Press release). Anne Arundel County Citizens Information Center. June 14, 2006. Archived from the original on April 20, 2011. Retrieved April 2, 2008.
  4. ^ "About Russett". Russett Community Association. Archived from the original on November 2, 2007. Retrieved September 17, 2007.
  5. ^ "FirstService Residential Welcomes Russett to its Maryland Management Portfolio" (Press release). FirstService Residential. November 13, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  6. ^ Siegel, Andrea (March 16, 2008). "Russett houses surrounded by parks". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 2, 2008.
  7. ^ "Oxbow Nature Preserve Visitor's Guide" (PDF). The Nature Conservancy. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  8. ^ "Anne Arundel County Council". Anne Arundel County Citizens Information Center.
  9. ^ "Base Relocation and Closure (BRAC) Report". Maryland Department of Planning. December 2006. Retrieved April 2, 2008.
  10. ^ "About". Monarch Academy Global Laurel. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  11. ^ Graham, Glenn (March 14, 2015). "No. 12 Meade rolls over Bethesda-Chevy Chase in Class 4A final for first state title". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  12. ^ Worgo, Tom (November 8, 2014). "Roundup: Pallotti defeats AACS, 43–14, for 'C' championship". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
edit