First Update to County’s Zoning Ordinance in 50 Years
The Prince George’s County Council, convening in the final session of Legislative Year 2021, on Monday, November 29, 2021, unanimously adopted CR-136-2021, approving the Countywide Sectional Map Amendment (CMA).
The CMA is the second and final phase of the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite project to modernize the County’s current 50-year-old Zoning Ordinance. Final adoption of the CMA now implements the County’s Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations by updating the current zone on each property in the County with a similar new zone that is closest in use and purpose.
Under CR-136-2021, the County’s new Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations become effective on April 1, 2022.
Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, says Prince George’s County is now positioned to expand and better capitalize on economic development opportunities to benefit County residents and communities.
“This process has been a huge undertaking and it has been a long journey, but the end result is a new and modern Zoning Ordinance, the first in 50 years for Prince George’s County, and it will reap great economic reward for Prince Georgians now and in the future. This is a game-changer for our County, and I want to thank this Council and our staff, the Planning Board, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, the State Delegation, and our residents and stakeholders for their hard work and commitment to participating in this process and bringing us to this defining moment. Prince George’s County is now in a posture to successfully compete in our region and seize opportunities for smart growth, economic development and improved quality of life for its residents.”
The CMA is required to implement the updated Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances approved by the Council in 2018 after more than four years of review. The County’s new Zoning Ordinance will streamline procedures and enhance user-friendliness; pave the way for achieving the economic goals of Plan 2035, the County’s Adopted General Plan; encourage increased public input in the development review process; consolidate and simplify zones and use; and incentivize development at targeted growth locations, particularly in our 15 transit-oriented communities.
District 4 Council Member Todd M. Turner, who served in Council leadership during the implementation of the Council’s Zoning Ordinance Rewrite, says Monday’s Council action contributes significantly to the County’s future growth and development.
“Today’s Council action is a final step in the County’s s over 7-year process that worked to ensure fairness, equity, transparency and inclusion countywide, with over 400 community meetings, thousands of written comments, and considerable Council review and public input. This process, which propels our County forward was necessary and long overdue. I look forward to its implementation over the next several years and to the many critical economic development opportunities that this new 21st Century Zoning Ordinance will present for our communities and residents.”
In other Council action on Monday, Council Members also approved CR-137-2021, legislation extending the County’s 15th Declaration of Emergency, in response to COVID-19.
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