Weekly Status Report - 10/1/09

MEMORANDUM

TO:               City Council

FROM:         David J. Deutsch, City Manager

SUBJECT:  Status Report

DATE:     October 1, 2009

Status Report

1.  Countywide Master Plan of Transportation Rescheduled Again

Because of scheduling and quorum conflicts, the date for the District Council/Planning Board's second public hearing regarding proposed amendments to the Master Plan of Transportation (CR-54-2009) was rescheduled to Monday, October 26, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at the CAB in Upper Marlboro.

2.  Bowie State/MARC Sector Plan Planning Board Action

On Thursday, September 24th, the Prince George's County Planning Board reviewed the transcript analysis of the July 14, 2009 Joint Public Hearing and M-NCPPC's staff recommendations regarding the public testimony.  The City Council's public hearing position letter indicated qualified support for the Sector Plan, but went on to suggest that the plan was not ready for approval until all 21 items identified by the City are addressed.  The Planning Board adopted the Sector Plan and Proposed Sectional Map Amendment (SMA) with the M-NCPPC staff recommendations, which included 13 of the City's points.  However, the Planning Board action did not satisfactorily address five City recommendations and only partially addressed three other items.  The areas of disagreement include:  (1) proof that Old Town Bowie retail businesses will not be adversely impacted by the new retail proposed by the Sector Plan; (2) the need for a preliminary assessment of the BSU parcel's woodland and proposed clearing; (3) the need for a new arterial road connecting MD 197 to MD 3 (aka "A-58"); (4) the need for a sidewalk along the east side of MD 197 between Rustic Hill Drive and BSU; and, (5) the immediate need for structured parking on both sides of the MARC platform.  The Adopted Sector Plan/SMA will now be transmitted to the District Council for worksessions in the next several months.

3.  BGE Response on Bowie Corporate Center & Bowie Town Center Electrical Issues
Attached is the response from BGE requested by City Council concerning the electrical issues being faced by the Bowie Corporate Center and Bowie Town Center.  BGE has requested the opportunity to again meet with representatives of MedAssurant and Bowie Town Center and present this follow-up to them prior to having this item included on a City Council agenda.  We will schedule this matter before City Council once this follow-up meeting occurs.     

4.  Water and Sewer Plan Amendments (County Council Results)

On Tuesday, September 29th, the Prince George's County Council approved CR-52-2009 regarding amendments to the Water and Sewer Plan.  The only amendment of interest to the City, Application #09/W-01 for the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church located on Church Road, opposite the Westview development, was denied in accordance with the County Executive's recommendation.

   5.  US Census Workshop and Update

On Wednesday, September 30th, City staff attended a 2010 Census workshop sponsored by the State of Maryland.  Many cities, towns and counties from across the State were represented at the workshop, which was held to give an overview of the Local Complete Count Committee process.  Prince George's County has already formed a Complete Count Committee; Planning Board Chairman Samuel Parker was chosen to lead this effort.  Although a kick-off meeting for the County's Complete Count Committee is expected in October, staff has already indicated the City's interest in helping the County's Committee or, as an option, the City forming its own Complete Count Committee.  Ms. Dorothy Wilson, the local Census representative, attended the September 8th meeting of the Community Outreach Committee (COC) to update the COC on Census preparations and to ask for their cooperation in future outreach activities.  Also this week, staff sent a completed Census participation form via email to Ms. Wilson, indicating our commitment to promote the Census in Bowie.  Informational material has been prepared and will soon be posted on the City's website.  Additionally, Ms. Cheryl Harrington of M-NCPPC is on the City Council agenda to brief you on Census outreach efforts.

6.  Traffic Signals
The new traffic signals on Race Track Road are fully operational.

7.  County Historic Sites and Districts Plan – M-NCPPC Staff Draft
Last Friday, the Staff Draft of the Historic Sites and Districts Plan became available.  An informational copy was obtained by the City's Planning Department.  The Staff Draft is out for public comment until October 23, 2009, prior to the document being printed and officially released for public comment as part of the formal plan review process.  Staff is currently reviewing the document and will provide a memo to Council in next week's package.

8.  Pole Relocation Update

The City has heard from 18 of the 21 residents contacted regarding the relocation of utility poles from the front of their properties to their original locations.  Initially, when BGE spoke with these customers the breakdown of responses was as follows:

Yes to Pole Relocation = 3
No to Pole Relocation = 14
No Contact = 4
Total = 21

After the City contacted these residents, the numbers changed as follows:

Yes to Pole Relocation = 11
No to Pole Relocation = 7
No Contact = 3
Total = 21

We had asked for responses by October 1st.  Staff will continue our efforts to contact the three residents who have not yet responded to the City’s inquiry.

9.  Planning Board Results -- TeSelle Real Estate Office 

Today, the Prince George’s County Planning Board conducted public hearing on Special Exception # SE-4623 (Heritage Realty, Inc., Mr. Galen TeSelle, applicant). The City Council conducted a public hearing on this matter on April 6th, finding that the application met the required findings to grant a Special Exception for a proposed real estate office in a single-family dwelling located at the corner of Sadler Lane and Stonybrook Drive.  On July 28th, the Bowie Advisory Planning Board (BAPB) conducted a public hearing on a Departure application, submitted by Mr. TeSelle, for relief from the County Zoning Ordinance regarding:  driveway width; the number of on-site parking spaces; and, the location of a proposed sign.  The BAPB unanimously recommended approval of those Departures.  Their action was ratified by the City Council on September 8th.

At today’s Planning Board public hearing, the Board heard testimony from the Park and Planning staff (which recommended approval), the applicant and the City Planning Staff.  At the conclusion of its hearing, the Planning Board voted unanimously to approve #SE-4623, including conditions recommended by the City, and the inclusion of the Departure relief.  The motion for approval was made by Board member Cavitt and seconded by member Clark.  This case will proceed next to the Zoning Hearing Examiner; no schedule for that hearing has been set yet.

DJD/asf