College Park - News, Events, Updates, Questions and Developments Etc. (roofing, estimates)

[terp80]

This is promotional/sponsored content in the Washington Business Journal, but nice to see all the College Park developments discussed in one place. https://www.bizjournals.com/washingt...lege-park.html


Not sure if any of this information is new, but if it is, let us know.

[terp80]

They are planning a new apartment complex in Berwyn, with 123 units. https://www.kabircares.org/new-123-a...ned-in-berwyn/


The proposed development is for a 7-story, mixed-use building, including 123 apartments and 2,300 square feet of retail. The Application includes a variation request to waive the Public Utility Easement (PUE) requirements along the street frontages. This undeveloped site (8421 and 8429 Baltimore Avenue) is located at the southeast corner of Quebec Street and Baltimore Avenue.


The site is currently being used as an SHA staging area for Baltimore Avenue improvements.

[terp80]

Originally Posted by Catcprtc

Chi-fil-a has filed plans with the County to make modifications to the building and the plans reference Little Blue Menu.

This is going to be so bad. Is there nothing that can be done to stop this development? It should be mixed use. Last thing College Park needs is a place that will draw a ton of delivery pickups to downtown and just make traffic so much worse. It would not even cater to the local community that could walk or bike to the location because there is no indoor seating.



Just a horrible use of the space.

[hikerMD]

Originally Posted by terp80

This is going to be so bad. Is there nothing that can be done to stop this development? It should be mixed use. Last thing College Park needs is a place that will draw a ton of delivery pickups to downtown and just make traffic so much worse. It would not even cater to the local community that could walk or bike to the location because there is no indoor seating.



Just a horrible use of the space.

The City agrees https://www.collegeparkmd.gov/Agenda..._06212022-1407

1. The City believes the application was erroneously accepted for Planning Director review. The proposed use is vehicular oriented, like a drive-through, which is clearly prohibited in the US1 Corridor Sector Plan Development District Standards. The site is in the retail core of Downtown College Park, designated as a Walkable Node, and surrounded by new construction which will add over 1,000 new residents in the next few years. The application should be denied or sent to the District Council for an amendment to the Table of Uses. The new Zoning Ordinance recognizes this use as a quick-service restaurant and prohibits it under the new zoning for the site, LTO-Edge.
2. The Applicant approached the City a year ago to explain the proposed concept and get feedback. Concerns were expressed at that time, and the Applicant was asked by City Councilmembers to hold a community meeting prior to submitting the application. The Applicant agreed, but this meeting was never convened leaving the City to believe that the project was abandoned.
3. If, over the City’s objections, the Planning Director approves the application, the City requests that it be subject to the following conditions:
   • Submission of a traffic study showing proposed trips generated by the delivery service use.
   • Submission of an on-site circulation and parking plan along with an operations plan describing
     how the business will function.
   • Add a parking hub for micro-mobility share vehicles (bikes and scooters).
   • Remove the driveway access to Baltimore Avenue and add sidewalks and landscaping. A new
     right-out only access to Baltimore Avenue is being constructed under DSP-1700 at the southern boundary of the site and a fully signalized intersection has been installed at the intersection of Hartwick Road and Baltimore Avenue. The site has 61 existing parking spaces and only 18 spaces are required for the existing use.
   • Remove the five parking spaces perpendicular to Baltimore Avenue and create an outdoor dining space with table and chairs.
   • Retain the two existing landscape islands in the parking lot.
   • Allow public access to indoor restrooms.

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by hikerMD

The City agrees https://www.collegeparkmd.gov/Agenda..._06212022-1407

I give Kudos to the City of College Park for maintaining their stance on making College Park walkable with fewer drive throughs. This is the second time I believe they rejected Chik-Fil-A because of plans for a drive through.

It is interesting. I just came back from France. I don't recall seeing a single drive-thru restaurant. Tons of plazas and sidewalk dining. It contrasts with America's love affair still with city planning around vehicles. Very interesting.

[terp80]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

I give Kudos to the City of College Park for maintaining their stance on making College Park walkable with fewer drive throughs. This is the second time I believe they rejected Chik-Fil-A because of plans for a drive through.

It is interesting. I just came back from France. I don't recall seeing a single drive-thru restaurant. Tons of plazas and sidewalk dining. It contrasts with America's love affair still with city planning around vehicles. Very interesting.

But can they reject them? I thought it was more of a county thing? I hope you are right but I heard Chik Fil A is going for 20-30 year lease, just not what we need in this location.

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by terp80

But can they reject them? I thought it was more of a county thing? I hope you are right but I heard Chik Fil A is going for 20-30 year lease, just not what we need in this location.

I guess they can reject them on paper. lol. But I think the county at large understands walkability and that the last thing a college town needs is another drive-thru restaurant. College Park, with it's auto dealerships and motels, gave the impression that College Park was a place you passed through and didn't stay.

Today, College Park has made major strides in making College Park a place to visit.

I think the only two drive-thru restaurants left are McDonald's and Taco Bell. I'm not sure how long those two will last though.

[lookingbutnotlost]

Originally Posted by terp80

But can they reject them? I thought it was more of a county thing? I hope you are right but I heard Chik Fil A is going for 20-30 year lease, just not what we need in this location.

They could put this in the Discovery District.

[terp80]

Dog Haus Biergarten coming to City Hall space?

https://www.reddit.com/r/collegepark...rmet_hot_dogs/

Per their website they have locations in Silver Spring, LA, Houston, NY, WV. Their coming soon section has a lot of locations, so heavy expansion in the works. Wish it was a local brand since there are some good biergartens in DC area, but guess we can't be too picky. We gotta do better job soliciting local companies to open here instead of CP becoming a haven for chains. Here's an old list from 2020 but its 15 beer gardens with terrific brews, I can't imagine some of these wouldn't be interested if they were approached about the space/opportunity. They are probably too busy to always be on the hunt for new locations and stuff. https://dc.eater.com/maps/best-beer-gardens-dc

Biergarten seems like good option for CP residents, since it probably will attract a little older crowd since I presume the beers are more expensive than say your local college bar. Pairs well with the new housing coming online soon like Aster which opens this Fall, which I believe is not student housing, although maybe students with $ may live there since it will probably be quieter.

[lookingbutnotlost]

Originally Posted by terp80

Dog Haus Biergarten coming to City Hall space?

https://www.reddit.com/r/collegepark...rmet_hot_dogs/

Per their website they have locations in Silver Spring, LA, Houston, NY, WV. Their coming soon section has a lot of locations, so heavy expansion in the works. Wish it was a local brand since there are some good biergartens in DC area, but guess we can't be too picky. We gotta do better job soliciting local companies to open here instead of CP becoming a haven for chains. Here's an old list from 2020 but its 15 beer gardens with terrific brews, I can't imagine some of these wouldn't be interested if they were approached about the space/opportunity. They are probably too busy to always be on the hunt for new locations and stuff. https://dc.eater.com/maps/best-beer-gardens-dc

Biergarten seems like good option for CP residents, since it probably will attract a little older crowd since I presume the beers are more expensive than say your local college bar. Pairs well with the new housing coming online soon like Aster which opens this Fall, which I believe is not student housing, although maybe students with $ may live there since it will probably be quieter.

A hot dog place just opened in one of the strip malls