MEMORANDUM

TO: City Council

FROM: David J. Deutsch, City Manager

SUBJECT: Status Report/Council Poll

DATE: May 8, 2008

Status Report

1. M&T Bank at Bowie Plaza

M&T Bank has applied for a County building permit for a new, freestanding, one-story, 4,702-square foot bank building at 6948 Laurel-Bowie Road (MD Route 197) Bowie Plaza. The existing one-story Mattress Man building will be demolished and replaced with the proposed bank building. This is an as-of-right development in the C-S-C (Commercial Shopping Center) zone that does not require any special site plan review by the County or the City. City permits will be required after County permits have been issued. The City’s Public Works Department has already reviewed the stormwater management plans for this project, and the parking lot will be reconfigured to accommodate landscaped pervious surface areas with trees.

2. Appeal of BAPB Decision in BV-1-08

The City has received the attached appeal of the Bowie Advisory Planning Board’s denial of variance application BV-1-08 filed by Mr. and Mrs. Scotch Ndlovu for their property located at 3107 Paddock Lane. The applicant is requesting “after the fact” approval of a variance of 6.3% from the 25% maximum lot coverage requirement to validate the construction of additional driveway paving and an eight-foot variance from the eight-foot minimum side yard setback to validate a carport addition constructed without a building permit. The attached letter sets forth the applicants’ arguments on appeal. Staff will prepare a transcript of the April 22, 2008 BAPB public hearing and, as soon as it becomes available, will schedule a City Council hearing on the appeal.

3. Railroad Avenue Trail Community Meeting

On Tuesday, May 6th, City Planning staff sponsored a Community Informational Meeting regarding the proposed Railroad Avenue Hiker-Biker Trail project. The meeting was held at Bowie State University, which is located at the northern end of
the proposed trail route. Attendees included Delegate Gerron Levi, County Council Member Ingrid Turner, about 12-15 residents of Old Town Bowie, the State of Maryland’s Bicycle/Pedestrian Access Director, a representative of PEPCO, and several staff from M-NCPPC and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG). The meeting followed a charrette-style workshop format, with consultant Bob Patten of Toole Design Group and his staff running the program. COG provided a technical assistance grant to the City that is funding the consultant resources for this effort. One of the main purposes of the meeting was to present the findings of the Engineering Feasibility Study prepared by another City consultant in 2007 and to hear comments from the workshop participants. The tone of the meeting was generally positive. Comments gathered during the breakout group session will be presented at the second of two meetings, which will be held next month. Staff will keep Council apprised of this project and will provide a copy of the final summary report when it is completed this summer.

4. MD 197 Project Planning Study Update

Staff from the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will be attending the July 14, 2008 City Council Worksession to present their responses to issues raised during the February 13, 2008 Location/Design Public Hearing and subsequently by Council after your public hearing on March 3rd. At SHA’s request, time was previously scheduled on the May 27th City Council agenda; however, SHA staff indicated that they need more time to complete their studies. Also, staff learned that the Project Manager, Ms. Felicia Alexander, was promoted to a different position and has been replaced by Ms. Sue Rajan. This week, Ms. Rajan provided a copy of the official transcript of the February hearing. The transcript is available for your review in the Planning Department.

5. Bowie Business Recognition Awards

On Friday, May 2nd, the City and its Economic Development Committee, in partnership with the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce held the Bowie Business Recognition Awards Luncheon at the Belair Mansion. Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot was the guest speaker. Mayor Robinson, County Council Member Ingrid Turner, and the Comptroller presented awards to four businesses.

Small Business of the Year – This award is for a small business that has demonstrated the qualities that make for a prosperous and growing organization in Bowie. Recipient – Comcare Pharmacy and Dr. Marie-Therese Oyalowo.

Business of the Year – This award is for a Bowie company that has demonstrated high-level accomplishments that are a benchmark for other businesses that include financial success, visible community involvement, professional employee work environment, and will excel in customer satisfaction, strategic planning, and business development. Recipient – The Cakery and Greg and Gail Sinkovic.

Entrepreneur of the Year – This award is for the Bowie business entrepreneur who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and tenacity in managing all facets of business, to include growth in profit and employee numbers coupled with such factors as degree of innovation, development of a creative and ingenious product or service, exceptional selling techniques, and extent of expansion into local markets. Recipient – Robert J. Thompson.

Community Service Award – This award is for the Bowie or vicinity business that has demonstrated throughout the year a strong record of involvement in the Bowie community. Recipient – St. John Properties.

6. M-NCPPC Budget

Council inquired at its last meeting about the status of a letter regarding the proposed M-NCPPC budget. A letter was sent in September 2007 from the City Council to M-NCPPC regarding items that the City would like to see funded in the Park and Planning budget. That letter was written after a meeting between City staff and Commission staff and before their budget was formulated. We have found that with discussions and input earlier in the process, we have had a more collaborative relationship and have been more successful in getting funding for Bowie's projects. An updated version of the September 2007 letter is being drafted and will be sent to Council via email.

Attachments