City Will Appeal Book Exchange Decision
An appeal would force the discussion to the District Council.
College Park is preparing to appeal an anticipated decision by the county planning board to support a proposal by developers for a student-housing complex where the Maryland Book Exchange currently sits.
After the city council voted in January to oppose the detailed site plan for the project, the Prince George’s County Planning Board voted 4-1 to approve it with conditions.
While the board has yet to adopt a final resolution, city attorney Suellen Ferguson said at Tuesday’s Mayor and Council meeting that she anticipates it won’t be a decision “favorable” to the council, and she will prepare an appeal on behalf of the city.
An appeal would force the District Council—comprised of Prince George’s County Council members—to hold a hearing or an oral argument on the case, said city planning director Terry Schum. Without an appeal, the District Council could choose to accept the board’s position of approval with conditions.
Mary Cook
8:43 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
It is important to keep in mind that this is only one new development slated for construction along Rt. 1. Mt. Rainier is hoping to redevelop an area near their town center. Riverdale Park has the enormous Cafritz project. Then, there is this project. Let's not forget the 32-acre East Campus extravaganza. Eventually, the properties at Cherry Hill Rd will hold new buildings. As one moves further north, Konterra, a project which dwarfs the Cafritz development, will eventually dump on Rt. 1. Get my point? It's time to look at the big picture not just project by project. It is also time to send that message to our County Councilmembers.
Pachacutec
2:29 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
I agree with you; planned growth is one thing, but when you have several different communities all going in different directions but putting up more and more buildings without planning for the impact on streets, emergency services, long-time residents, etc., that is NOT a good thing. Just one example; anyone who travels Route 1 at rush hour NOW knows what a nightmare it is - can you imagine what it will be like in, say, 5 years or so? And the thing is, a lot of people I know who support these various developments still have the idea they're going to be able to keep their communities as nice little people-friendly neighborhoods; sorry, they can't have it both ways.