Russett, Maryland

Russett is an unincorporated planned community of 613 acre 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 mi of walking trails and a 70 acre lake nature preserve.

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.

Organization
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.

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.

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

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

Government services
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 15000 sqft – or four times the size of its shuttered predecessor – with an initial collection of 80,000 items. The project was built on 2 acre 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.

History
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.

Schools
The community is served by Anne Arundel County Public Schools and several private schools. • Monarch Global Academy Contract School, a new contract school serving Russett community children in grades K–8.

• 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. This is 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.

• 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.