As noted in the March 5 Patch article, “Area Residents Provide Input Over Development Near Greenbelt Metro,” the Greenbelt Metro Sector Plan, an initiative managed by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, aims to create a mixed-use commercial and residential development on the land surrounding the Greenbelt Metro station—a that will undoubtedly affect city zoning and land-use policies and have a significant impact on north College Park.

To get a better idea of just what those impacts might be, I interviewed (via e-mail) John Krouse, a longtime resident of north College Park and District 1 City Councilmember from 2003 to 2007 , whose been following the proposed plans for the Greenbelt Metro station since the late 1990s.

Smith: You've been following the proposed developments at the Greenbelt Metro for a long time. When did this first come on your radar and what are the community’s concerns about the development?

Krouse: As I recall, I first got involved in 1998. A preliminary study called the 'Greenbelt Metro Area Study' was organized by the Maryland National Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) as a prelude to the Greenbelt Metro Sector Plan study.

Actually, the community was involved with planning for the Greenbelt Metro for a long time before then. I wasn't involved back then, but I had neighbors who were involved all the way back to the time the area was identified as a possible station site in the 1980’s.

The concerns of the community have been pretty constant. Early on, there were concerns about crime, traffic, and parking impacts.  Later, after the station was built and plans were announced to sell the air rights for development of the parking lot, there were new concerns about reflected train and road noise, building heights, and changes to the character of the neighborhood. Those are big impacts.

There were always concerns about flooding, and a lot of work was done during construction of the station to reduce that, such as the installation of much larger culverts were built under the tracks.

What do the plans for the Greenbelt Metro site entail?

The original plan for the station that was supported by the community was for an above ground platform with a large surface parking lot and pedestrian access to the community from the west.

The community was adamantly opposed to the construction of bus facilities or parking lots on the west side of the station. That's why there are no bus routes or parking on the west side. People fought very hard to prevent that.

I am pretty sure that if the community knew about Metro's plans to sell the air rights for development of the parking lot, the community would never have supported construction of the station at all.  But no one in the community knew about that.  They were sold on a station with a surface parking lot and no elevated development besides the track and platform facilities.

There is a lot of concern that the plans would have a significant impact on stormwater management in north College Park. Can you address that?

Actually, when the first concept plans for redevelopment of the Greenbelt Metro and the adjoining Smith property were unveiled, the idea was for intensive development of the entire area between the Beltway and Greenbelt Road. It was only after the public outcry that followed were the 110 acres of land between the “North Core” and the “South Core” purchased by the state of Maryland for permanent protection. Most of that area is in the floodplain of Indian Creek, and prevents our homes from flooding.

I have photos of flooding in Hollywood Park from many years ago, and I know what Hurricane Agnes did to this area in 1972.  The community has always been concerned about flooding, and about preserving neighborhood peace and quiet. Many people in Hollywood were adamantly opposed to any metro development near Hollywood.

Development at the Greenbelt Metro has been in the works for a long time. At the North College Park Citizen’s Association meeting on March 10, you mentioned that knowing the “backstory” would help residents understand what's in the works now. What is that backstory and why is it important?

The backstory is important because it helps people understand the history of the property, and how the planning and zoning process really works. It's also a long story.

The simple truth is that assurances that were made to the community by Metro and MNCPPC were broken less than 5 years after the station opened; that building heights and setbacks endorsed by the community and approved by the MNCPPC in the 2001 Greenbelt Metro Sector Plan were abandoned by the County Council and the Planning Board about 5 years after that; and that the detailed site plan proposed by the County involved even greater impacts.

The complete backstory is a lot longer and a lot more interesting. And some parts are still under investigation by the FBI. It's a history of broken promises in many ways. 

This development is still in the early stages. What should concerned residents do to stay informed throughout the development process?

Well if you think about it, the development really began in the 1980’s. Considering all that’s happened since, I'd say that everyone who lives in North College Park should be very concerned. 

If you witnessed the 'balloon test' a few years ago, you can probably picture how a solid wall of 10- to 20-story building would impact the community.

How about 30 story buildings?  How about developing the 100+ acres of land that the State purchased?  How about turning Hollywood Neighborhood Park into a bus station or a parking lot?  

How about widening neighborhood streets to handle big buses and large volumes of traffic?  How about taking peoples homes for economic development?

Well, maybe all of that sounds far fetched, but in 1995, no one had any idea that Metro would be allowed to build skyscrapers on the parking lot, either!

On March 31, starting at 7:00 pm, the City of College Park will be hosting a meeting at Davis Hall for residents to discuss the past and future of Greenbelt Metro. I expect the Mayor and several City Council members, as well as the City’s Planning Director.  Of course, I will be there too!

Smith is a resident of north College Park. He blogs at www.ncpinformant.com.