Joint Public Hearing on Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and SMA - May 11, 2026
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Joint Public Hearing on Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and SMA
On Monday, May 11, 2026, the Prince George's County Council, sitting as the District Council, and the Prince George's County Planning Board of M-NCPPC held a joint public hearing at the Council Hearing Room (1301 McCormick Dr, Largo, MD) to receive testimony on the Preliminary Port Towns Sector Plan and Proposed Sectional Map Amendment (SMA) (CR-094-2023). The hearing was convened at 6:17 p.m. by Chair Krystal Oriadha and adjourned at 7:01 p.m. Nine Council Members were present, with Council Member Timothy Adams participating remotely. The purpose was to gather public input before the planning board and council take final action.
Staff Presentation
- Emily Lutz (Project Manager) and Arnaldo Ruiz (Deputy Project Manager) presented the plan, developed over 24 months with community engagement. They highlighted community outreach: thousands of participants, one-on-one conversations with over 350 attendees, more than 540 comments, and about 215 comments from youth events.
- The plan covers the municipalities of Bladensburg, Colmar Manor, Cottage City, and Edmonston, and replaces the 2009 Port Towns Sector Plan. It proposes 54 zoning changes across approximately 168 acres through the SMA.
- Seven opportunity sites were presented (e.g., Port Towns Shopping Center, Buchanan St. Industrial Area, Publick Playhouse vicinity, etc.) as conceptual frameworks, not existing proposals.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Takisha James, Mayor of Bladensburg, expressed strong support for the plan and the SMA, praising the engagement process.
- Mayor Casanas (Colmar Manor) spoke on behalf of the town, supporting many recommendations but requesting three changes: (1) removal of proposed zoning changes ZC-35 and ZC-36 (rezoning from RSF-65 to RSFA) due to neighborhood character, density, parking, and infrastructure concerns; (2) expanding the opportunity site along Bladensburg Road; (3) strengthening river access recommendations.
- Keith Brooks, on behalf of concerned residents of Colmar Manor, opposed policies LU6 and LU6.1 and the rezoning, arguing that long-time residents are being asked to bear risk without guaranteed affordability ("a rare chance" of affordable development). He urged the council not to gamble with residents' community and homes.
- Douglas (former Colmar Manor council member and mayor pro tem, 16-year resident) opposed the RSFA zoning changes, asserting that Colmar Manor already offers mixed housing types and that increased density would make the town "unlivably urban." He expressed support for the business district development.
- John Coleman, property owner at 5322 Chesapeake Road and 5409 Decatur Street, expressed support for the proposed rezoning to single-family attached, which he said would provide new opportunity to develop his lots.
Key Outcomes
- The joint public hearing was declared held; the record will remain open for written comments through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
- The Planning Board will hold a work session on July 23, 2026, followed by a District Council work session in September, with final action anticipated around October 2026 (or possibly January 2027 if a second hearing is needed).
- The hearing adjourned at 7:01 p.m. by unanimous vote on a motion by Vice Chair Olson, seconded by Council Member Adams-Stafford.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. This is the county council of Prince George's County, Maryland. Today is Monday, May 11th, 2026. I will call this meeting to order. On behalf of the Prince Roders County Council and the Prince George County Planning Board of the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission. I would like to welcome you to the public hearing on the preliminary Port Town Sector Plan and Proposed Sectional Map Amendment. My name is Chris Sorrietta. I currently serve as the chair of the county council and represent District 7. The county council is sitting as a district council and the planning board are jointly holding this hearing to obtain public comments on the preliminary porttown sector plan and proposed sectional map amendment. I'll now pause to allow the other council members and planning board members to introduce themselves, starting with my vice chair. Good evening. I'm Eric Olson, representing District 3. Good evening, Walla Black at large. Good evening, Councilmember Wanika Fisher, District 2. Hello, Jolene Ivey at large. Thank you all for coming. Tom Janoga Council District 1. Laurie Matthews, Commissioner Planning Board. Billy O'Coy, Commissioner. Welcome. Thank you. The district council initiated the sector plan with concurrent sectional map amendment on October 24th, 2023 through the approval of CR94 2023 authorizing the planning department to prepare the preliminary sector plan and proposed sectional map amendment amendment. Notice of today's hearing was mailed in March 2026 to all owners of property which are changing zoning is proposed and to municipalities. The testimony you will hear and provide tonight is part of an ongoing process that will lead to the new sector plan and sectional map amendment for parts of planning areas 68 and 69. The preliminary Port Town Section Sector Plan and Proposed Sectional Map Amendment, if approved, will amend the 2014 Prince George's County 2035 approved general plan by defining the boundary of the Portstown Neighborhood Center and amending the boundary of the Riverdale Mark Neighborhood Center. The sector plan will replace the 20, excuse me, 2009 approved Port Town Sector Plan in its entirety. The 1994 approved master plan for planning area 68 for the port for portions of planning area 68 within the sector and the 2018 approved Greater Chevree sector plan for the portion of planning area 69 within the sector. The plan will also amend portions of the 2009 approved countywide master plan of transportation and formula 2040 functional master plan for parks and recreation and open spaces. The preliminary port town sector plan and proposed sectional map amendment provides a new vision for the entire plan area with a focus of growth, development, revitalization of the properties within Port Town Neighborhood Center, opportunity sites along major corridors. When approved, the sector plan will set stage for long-term redevelopment to revitalize the area, enhance the quality of life for years to come. The preliminary port town section plan contains the vision for Blaine's Borough, Blainesburg, Colmore Manor, Cottage City, Edmondston, and communities along with goals, policies, and strategies to implement this vision. The preliminary port town sector plan is accompanied by a proposed sectional map amendment, which recommends 54 zoning changes necessary to implement this plan. The proposed sectional map amendment will amend the county zoning map for the Port Town Sector Plan area. This preliminary porttown section sector plan was developed over 24 months with significant input and public gatherings from property owners, community, neighborhood representatives, municipal staff and representatives, and county and regional state agency staff. These stakeholders participated in virtual and in-person meetings, open house to come up with this proposed plan. If approved, the sector plan will set the stage for long-term development of new neighborhoods, recreational and open space amenities, housing opportunities, increased connectivity for area residents, visitors, students, workers between the area and other destinations throughout the region. Now let me provide some information regarding the joint public hearing to ensure compliance with the law. If you attend to if you intend to speak tonight in favor of the zoning and you do did not file the affidavit from 30 days in advance of today's date, you will not be permitted to speak on the issue. However, you will still have an opportunity to complete and submit your request testimony in writing and file it with the clerk's office in the council prior to the close of the record, which is Tuesday, May 26th, 2026. Um May 26th, 15 days after the hearing. Provided that your affidavit form has been submitted 30 days in advance. Your testimony will then be considered part of the record. Testimony must be submitted by this date to be considered part of the record. Affidavits that have already been submitted are still valid and do not need to be resubmitted. If you wish to submit written testimony to supplement testimony, you may give tonight or prefer submitting written comments. Please submit your comments via the council's e comment portal or email or facts found uh on the website. To allow everyone a chance to speak, we are requesting that comments be limited to two minutes per speaker. A timer will be set, and once you begin speaking, and you will be notified uh verbally. Um we won't we won't be doing that. So there'll be two minutes and the clock will be in front of you there.
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