MEMORANDUM

TO: City Council

FROM: David J. Deutsch, City Manager

SUBJECT: Status Report/Council Poll

DATE: January 10, 2008

Status Report

1. Old Town Bowie Redevelopment

Staff has completed a thorough review of the actions called for in the 1999 Master Plan for Redevelopment of Old Town Bowie. The majority of the actions that the City alone can complete have been completed.

For the remainder of this year and into 2009, we will continue to work on these actions in Old Town Bowie:

2. BV-3-07 BAPB Public Hearing

On Tuesday, January 8th, the Bowie Advisory Planning Board conducted a second public hearing regarding BV-3-07, a residential lot coverage variance request filed by Mr. Lyle Schmidt for his property at 12219 Fleming Lane. At the conclusion of the hearing, the BAPB voted 6-1 (Hedman opposed) to APPROVE the revised variance request for 59 square feet of lot coverage above the 30% maximum allowed by the Prince George's County Zoning Ordinance. The BAPB will vote on an approval resolution at their next meeting, which is scheduled for January 29, 2008. On December 3, 2007, the City Council reviewed the case on appeal and remanded it back to the BAPB for another hearing to consider revised lot coverage calculations and any other additional testimony. A total of seven (7) residents testified in support of the variance. Consistent with the initial staff report written in the case, staff recommended denial. At this week's hearing, the BAPB reversed their previous recommendation and voted to grant the variance. Upon receipt of the BAPB's resolution, City Council will have 15 days to decide whether to hear the case or accept the latest decision.

3. Glenn Dale Golf Course Senior Housing Development

This week, the City received a referral of a Preliminary Plan of subdivision for a proposed development of 390 age-restricted multi-family condominium units on the Glenn Dale Golf Course and adjacent parcels. The plan consists of dividing the overall tract into four (4) parcels: two (2) for multi-family units, including one parcel along Hillmeade Road opposite Northridge and another near the intersection of Prospect Hill Road and MD 193; one parcel containing the golf course (the majority of which is being retained); and one parcel being combined with an adjacent single-family dwelling. The subject site contains approximately 155 acres and was rezoned to a combination of the R-18-C (Multi-Family Residential Condominium) and O-S (Open Space) zones during the recent East Glenn Dale Sector Plan and Sectional Map Amendment. As Council may recall, the City previously held hearings on a 227-lot single-family detached lot proposal by Toll Brothers. Given that the proposed Preliminary Plan reduces the development impacts (especially traffic and school impact) from that previously reviewed by the City and because the plan will implement the senior housing concept already approved with community support via the Glenn Dale Sector Plan, staff believes a more streamlined City review is prudent. Staff intends to review the Preliminary Plan and notify residents of a City Council public hearing in late February or early March so that a City recommendation on the new plan can be formulated and sent to the County Planning Board.

4. Economic Development Committee (EDC)

The Bowie EDC held its regular meeting on Wednesday, January 9th. The Committee welcomed their new Council liaison, Mr. Marcos. They also discussed a business recognition event they are considering for May 2, 2008; as they develop further details, they intend to communicate with Council. The Chairman has called a special meeting of the EDC for Wednesday, February 13, 2008 to discuss and finalize plans for the business recognition event.

5. City Hosts MMRDI Session on January 18, 2008

On Friday, January 18th, starting at 8:30 a.m., there will be an information session about the Maryland Minority Research and Development Initiative (MMRDI) in Room 204 at City Hall. This information session will focus on advising minority and women-owned businesses how to access federal research funding. This is part of an ongoing effort by the City's Economic Development office to work with regional business assistance groups to help them deliver programs to Bowie businesses in Bowie. This event is in partnership with the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation (PGC EDC), and the Maryland Small Business Development Center (MD SBDC). A press release is in your package.

6. New Residential Construction and Population/Housing Estimates

Attached are copies of two (2) informational handouts prepared by the Department of Planning and Economic Development. The New Residential Construction handout shows the growth of the City's housing stock since 1990. The Population/Housing Estimate handout identifies the current estimates of population and housing in the City as of January 1, as well as projections for the Year 2015. Additional copies are available in the Planning Department.