Council, Residents Concerned About Proposed Whole Foods' Traffic Impact

College Park wants to know how a Whole Foods Market, new retail and office spaces and nearly 1,000 housing units just south of Calvert Hills could impact an already frustrating commute on U.S. Route 1.

The concern was clear after the at a Tuesday evening worksession in , when most councilmembers, the mayor, and several of the residents asked about the big "T-word", traffic.

Concern about Traffic Analysis

A preliminary traffic analysis estimates the first phase of the development— the Whole Foods and retail portion— will generate about 500 new trips on Baltimore Avenue in the afternoon or evening on weekdays. Phase two is estimated to create 900 new trips.

Nancy Randall of Wells and Associates, which prepared the traffic analysis, was unsure what percentage increase this would be compared to current traffic patterns.

She added after the worksession that these numbers might not fully reflect the opportunity of alternative transporation, like the Metro stations, MARC train, bus routes and future .

Councilwoman , whose District 3 encompasses Calvert Hills, wondered if the presenters were overestimating the impact of public transit.

“You are not adjacent to transit stations. You are a fairly good distance from transit,” Stullich said. “I’m worried that it’s wishful thinking … and that we’ll see more traffic than you are actually projecting.”

Other Developments, CSX Crossing

Although Randall’s estimates reflect impacts from future developments, like M Square Research Park, she said it does not reflect impacts from unapproved developments, like East Campus.

The city’s planning director, , said the numbers are preliminary and will be revised in later stages of the design process.

“I think they’re going to be asked to look at a midday and weekend traffic impact as well,” she said in an interview. “I don’t think anyone can rely on the numbers they’ve provided now,” she said.

Cafritz' Attorney Chip Reed said developers are working with CSX to get a bridge over the tracks for an eastside vehicular access point, in addition to the three others, but “our traffic studies show that it is not needed," he said.

Although the city's planning department will formulate an opinion for the Nov. 15 mayor and council worksession, the traffic analysis won’t be a major consideration.

College Park to Weigh In, Part of the Property Lies within City Limits

Schum said the next phase of the approval process will look at things like transportation and schools. “(That) is the time you look at adequate public facilities,” she said.

As for the Nov. 15 meeting, the planning department will base its analysis on whether or not the Cafritz application meets zoning ordinance criteria, as well as the county’s general plan and Riverdale Park's master plan, where the majority of the property is located.

This application is a challenge, because it aims to get the property zoning changed from an area that allows for just residential development, zoned R-55, to Mixed-Use Town Center (MUTC) zoning. The change would allow for commercial property to be built as well, and ”

“What we’re struggling with a little bit is that this is sort of new for us, and apparently new for everyone at the county level,” Schum said, “because there’s never been a request to amend the MUTC zone as far as I know.”

The city recently learned that a small portion of the Cafritz property actually rests inside the College Park borders. Staff originally believed the entire area was in Riverdale Park.

The portion in College Park would also need to be rezoned, Schum said.

“The City of College Park intended to weigh in … I guess this makes it even more important that we do so,” Schum said.

What's Next?

After the city's planning staff makes its recommendation at the next worksession, the city council will vote on whether or not it should support the project at its Nov. 22 meeting, where public comment will be welcome.

The on Oct. 14.

The application will be presented to the county's planning board on Dec. 15. The county's planning board will then make a recommendation to the District Council. Schum estimated that may not happen until February or March.

Reed said the team hopes Whole Foods will open by late 2014.