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Council News

Posted on: June 13, 2023

Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee to Consider Townhome Legislation

Measure Presented by Vice Chair Wala Blegay Esq. Addresses Infrastructure Supporting Townhome Communities

The Prince George’s County Council’s Planning, Housing, and Economic Development (PHED) Committee, on Thursday, June 15^th, will consider Council Bill-052-2023, townhome-related legislation presented by Vice Chair Wala Blegay, Esq. (District 6).

Under the measure, the development of townhouses outside of areas designated for medium to high-density development in the County's Approved General Plan and comprehensive plans would be suspended for two years. CB-052-2023 requires the County to meet its goals to follow the approved General Plan, Plan Prince George’s 2035, and the Prince George’s County Climate Action Plan, both of which encourage smart growth such as the development of townhomes near transit-oriented and local area centers where the County has the necessary public infrastructure in place.

Vice Chair Blegay says townhome developments in less dense communities without transit will cause traffic and other adverse infrastructure issues, further stretching County resources.

“We are currently witnessing thousands of townhomes planned for development in areas where there are limited roads, transit, or commercial development. Now is the time to focus on smart growth goals and put townhomes in transit-oriented and local area centers where we have the necessary infrastructure that residents have come to expect.”

CB-052-2023, if adopted by the Council, would not affect single-family and multifamily units. Additionally, the bill would not affect townhome development in the following areas: