MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
FROM: David J. Deutsch, City Manager
SUBJECT: Status Report/Council Poll
DATE: October 5, 2006
Status Report
1. Bowie International Festival
The 3rd Bowie International Festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 7th
from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Allen Pond Park. Council is being
asked to arrive by 10:45 a.m. to be announced on the Amphitheater Stage
at 11:00 a.m. during the welcome. Enclosed in your packet are an event
program and a parking pass. If you have any questions or to RSVP, please
contact Shannon Carpenter, Special Events Coordinator, at 301-809-3078
or email scarpenter@cityofbowie.org.
2. City Hosts Business Journal Class
On Wednesday, October 25, 2006, the City's Economic Development office is
hosting an expert from the Baltimore Business Journal who will show Bowie
businesses ways to make more money using the information they can gather
from reading the Washington or Baltimore Business Journals. Cosponsored
by the City, the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce, and the Baltimore Business
Journal, this short class is for all Bowie businesses. A copy of the informational
flyer is in your package.
3. City Hosts Bulgarian Economic Development Executive
The City's Economic Development office hosted a Bulgarian local economic
development specialist to a tour of the City and a discussion of our economic
and community development efforts. The official is spending ten days with
the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation as part of
an executive internship program arranged by IEDC, ICMA, and US AID. Our
guest, Ms. Antoaneta Mateeva, is a team leader for the City Links program
at the Foundation For Local Government Reform in Sofia, Bulgaria (http://www.flgr.bg).
She specifically requested time with us because the municipalities in Bulgaria
are very interested in developing and enhancing economic development programs
in their jurisdictions. During her Bowie tour she observed revitalization
efforts and capital improvement projects in Old Town Bowie, retail revitalization
efforts at Bowie Plaza and along Route 450-Main Street, and technology park development activities
at Melford.
4. Tia's Tex Mex Bankruptcy
Tia's Tex Mex Restaurant entered Chapter 7 bankruptcy last week, immediately
closing all of their locations. Their Bowie location, at Excalibur and
Highway 301, is owned by an investment company in Minnesota. Staff has
talked with the property owner and learned they intend to sell the building
once they have received control back from the bankruptcy court.
5. Swimming Pool Study
Enclosed in your package is a copy of the Bowie Natatorium report prepared
by Counsilman/Hunsaker & Associates in February 2000 which Councilman
Lyles requested at the September 25th City Council Worksession.
6. Melford Conceptual Site Plan
On September 19th the Historic Preservation Commission considered Conceptual
Site Plan (CSP) 06002 for Melford. The site is located in the northeast
quadrant of US 50 and US 301 and is zoned M-X-T (Mixed Use-Transportation
Oriented).
The Commission forwarded the following recommendations to the M-NCPPC Urban
Design staff for inclusion in the staff report for this application, which
is on the County Planning Board agenda for October 19th:
(1) The site plans should be revised to delineate and note both the Environmental Setting and Impact Area for Melford, Historic Site 71B-016.
(2) Prior to approval of this Conceptual Site Plan, plans shall be revised so that proposed buildings do not obstruct the historic vista between the Melford House and the cemetery.
(3) Prior to approval of a Detailed Site Plan for this area, the applicant shall demonstrate that plans for new construction within the Impact Review Area follow the guidelines on page 91 of the CDP-8601 document for the former Maryland Science and Technology Center.
(4) Prior to acceptance of any Detailed Site Plan for this development, through the Historic Area Work Permit process the applicant shall present a plan and timetable for the protection, stabilization, restoration, and planned adaptive use of the buildings and gardens of the Melford Historic Site for approval by the HPC and Planning Board. The plan shall be approved (through a HAWP) before approval of the first DSP.
(5) Prior to or at the time of the first building permit application for property within CSP 06002, the applicant shall initiate the restoration of the Melford House and outbuildings, through the Historic Area Work Permit process. The restoration of Melford and outbuildings shall be completed by the time 50% of these buildings have received building permits.
(6) Prior to approval of any relevant applications, the Historic Preservation Section should certify that all Quarterly Reports have been received in a timely manner and that Melford is being properly maintained.
(7) Prior to acceptance of any Detailed Site Plan or new Preliminary Plat of subdivision for Melford, the applicant shall identify archaeological resources in the project area by conducting Phase I archaeological investigations.
At this time, the M-NCPPC Technical Staff is anticipating recommending APPROVAL of the CSP, with conditions. The County Planning Board's hearing is scheduled for the October 19th meeting. Council's position continues to be that the CSP should be DISAPPROVED because the proposed plan cannot be implemented because of conflicts with the City's covenants on the site.
7. City Hosts Investors Briefing
The City provided meeting space for 165 investors to hear a briefing from
local experts on the present and future of Prince George's County from
a real estate investment perspective. These 165 investors arrived in a
caravan of buses from the BWI area and spent 90 minutes learning about
the phenomenal yet hidden prosperity in our County. The group departed
City Hall and embarked on a tour of all parts of the County.
8. Dixon Property (Preliminary Plan #4-05135)
On Thursday, October 5th, the Prince George's County Planning Board voted
unanimously to approve the Preliminary Plan of subdivision for the Dixon
Property. The proposed plan includes 57 lots on 43 acres located on the
west side of Church Road, 1,000 feet south of its intersection with Old
Annapolis Road (MD Route 450). The City Council voted to recommend disapproval
on October 3rd, mainly because of the uncertainty of the PEPCO road crossing
easement. The Planning Board deliberated on the issue of the wetland road
crossing and decided to approve the project on the condition that the plan
is revised to show a PEPCO road crossing instead of a wetland road crossing
to gain access to the central portion of the site. The condition still
allows the developer to develop the property with a road crossing the wetlands
if, at the time of permit approval, a letter has been received from PEPCO
denying the PEPCO road crossing easement.
Attachments