College Park - News, Events, Updates, Questions and Developments Etc. (Laurel: brokers, home)

[RickyRoma]

Originally Posted by Catcprtc

College Park's Development & Business updates are now posted for the 2nd quarter of 2017. I noticed one new major proposed project for west Campus Drive.
.

Link?

[BigCityDreamer]

I recently drove down Route 1 and through Campus Drive.

Impressive changes. I almost got disoriented everything looked so different.

[lookingbutnotlost]

Originally Posted by terp80

Council to Discuss Proposal to Immediate Transfer of UMD Properties to a Development Company | KabirCares.org

Thoughts?

I might need to go a city council meeting to learn more about this.

[Catcprtc]

Here is the link to the city's June Quarterly Development update:
http://www.collegeparkmd.gov/Plannin...te%2071717.pdf

The Mayor & Council have already discussed the University's proposal to transfer land to make development easier. They agree it could be a good thing but are concerned it gives the University too much control. City is concerned that future University administrations may not be as engaged with the city and other stakeholders with respect to development and so would like some conditions placed on the transfer of these properties.

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by terp80

Council to Discuss Proposal to Immediate Transfer of UMD Properties to a Development Company | KabirCares.org

Thoughts?

My thought is actually a question. If the property is "owned" by UMD, which is a State of Maryland agency, does that property transfer have to go to the Board of Public Works for final approval?

I ask because we had some DNR property transferred to us, roughly an acre, a couple years ago in order to complete an environmental/flood control project and it was a two plus year process from proposal to approval.

[Catcprtc]

The University is asking for approval now from the Board of Public Works to allow it to move various properties into the development company controlled by the University. All of the properties but one are in the city. The other property is adjacent to the city and probably could be annexed.

If approved by the Board of Public Works, the development company would control the properties outside of state review and approval by the Board of Public Works. Properties would be subject to property taxes and development proposals would need the approval of the county Planning Board.

[lookingbutnotlost]

Originally Posted by Catcprtc

The University is asking for approval now from the Board of Public Works to allow it to move various properties into the development company controlled by the University. All of the properties but one are in the city. The other property is adjacent to the city and probably could be annexed.

If approved by the Board of Public Works, the development company would control the properties outside of state review and approval by the Board of Public Works. Properties would be subject to property taxes and development proposals would need the approval of the county Planning Board.

So is it a way for the school to circumvent the County?

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by lookingbutnotlost

So is it a way for the school to circumvent the County?

Not really. It's sort of a way to circumvent the State which controls what goes on state owned property, but with its connivance.

All zoning ordinances (density, uses, etc.) would still be in effect. As an incorporated municipality College Park has its own Advisory Planning Board that vets developments and approves site plans. It has less power than Planning and Zoning Commissions in other municipalities.

[Catcprtc]

Actually the City's Advisory Planning Commission (APC) does not have a significant role to play with respect to development proposals. Proposals come before the City Council and it decides the RECOMMENDATION and conditions to request from the County Planning Board. Often times the City Council and the developer agree on various conditions, too, in a separate agreement. The Planning Director keeps the APC updated about development proposals, but the APC has its own monthly meeting responsibilities to attend to.

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by Catcprtc

Actually the City's Advisory Planning Commission (APC) does not have a significant role to play with respect to development proposals. Proposals come before the City Council and it decides the RECOMMENDATION and conditions to request from the County Planning Board. Often times the City Council and the developer agree on various conditions, too, in a separate agreement. The Planning Director keeps the APC updated about development proposals, but the APC has its own monthly meeting responsibilities to attend to.

Yeah, it's a different format than others. I knew it went before Council but forgot. In any event, it's not a way to ignore density, allowed uses, etc.