Prince George's County Council Meeting: Legislative Day 29, September 1, 2026

The Prince George's County Council convened on September 1, 2026, at 10:27 AM in Committee Room 2027, with Chair Krystal Oriadha presiding. Eleven members were present (7 in person, 4 remote). The meeting covered a lengthy consent agenda of 35 bills and 11 resolutions, public hearings on five legislative items, a second reading of a bill, and adoption of several resolutions. The meeting adjourned at 11:53 AM.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approved: County Council minutes of July 27, 2026, were approved.
• First Reading of Bills (Presentation): 28 bills (CB-076 through CB-110) were presented and referred to committees. Key topics included: Commercial Reinvestment and Innovation Projects Act (CB-076), community service uses in RSF-A zones (CB-077), Government Resources Integrity Act (CB-078), vacant attached property enforcement (CB-079), universal design for housing (CB-080), sustainable mixed-use communities (CB-081), cannabis dispensaries (CB-082), convenience store tobacco sales (CB-083), site plan review streamlining (CB-084), data centers in rural zones (CB-085), Community Safe Spaces Act reporting (CB-086), electrical code updates (CB-087), concurrent development review (CB-088), tobacco product sales prohibition (CB-089), subdivision review streamlining (CB-090), Development Ombudsman (CB-091), accessory dwelling units (CB-092), Cannabis Reinvestment Board amendments (CB-093), property tax credits for elderly (CB-094, CB-095, CB-098), parking on unpaved areas (CB-096), affordable housing opportunity sites (CB-097), small housing provider financing (CB-099), surplus property for affordable housing (CB-100), returning citizen employment (CB-101), re-entry employment incentives (CB-102), data center personal property tax exemption (CB-103), consolidated development review (CB-104), high-wage employer fast track (CB-105), economic development incentive fund (CB-106), shovel-ready employment sites (CB-107), public land first for affordable housing (CB-108, CB-109), small landlord preservation grants (CB-110). All referred to appropriate committees.
• Introduction of Resolutions: 7 resolutions (CR-080 through CR-086) were introduced. Topics included: Social Housing Task Force (CR-080), moratorium on utility price increases (CR-081), universal design fee increases (CR-082), virtual public participation rules (CR-083), commercial real estate education (CR-084), autism equity (CR-085), government transparency workgroup (CR-086). All referred to committees.
• Additions to Agenda: An additions package containing CR-087 (M-NCPPC budget clarification), CR-089 (210 on the Park bond inducement), CR-090 (National Harbor development district amendment), CR-091 (Local Impact Grant Funds multiyear plan), and CB-111 (special obligation bonds for National Harbor immersive entertainment venue) was accepted by a vote of 10–0 (Council Member Blegay absent). These were introduced and referred to committees.
• Motion to Adopt Consent Agenda: The consent agenda was adopted by a vote of 8–0 (Council Members Blegay, Dernoga, and Harrison absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

• ICE Office at 6505 Bellcrest Road, Hyattsville: Multiple speakers (Sarah Hines, Laura Usher, Nancy Feister, Linda Green) expressed opposition to a use and occupancy permit granted for ICE offices at the location, arguing it violates the Community Safe Spaces Act and threatens immigrant communities. They called on the council and County Executive to revoke the permit. Chair Oriadha noted the council is already looking into options.
• Data Centers and Moratorium: Nancy Feister urged support for a moratorium on data centers, citing 80% resident opposition per a survey. She criticized council members who support data centers against constituent wishes.
• Affordable Housing: John Roberson attributed rising housing costs to tariffs on materials and investor acquisitions of single-family homes, which reduce homeownership and community stability. He expressed concern that streamlining development review would limit community opposition.
• Water Infrastructure: Marjorie Jones warned that a Potomac River contamination could leave the region with only 24–48 hours of water, causing potential economic losses of $15 billion per month. She contrasted this with the small tax revenue from data centers.
• Emergency Weather Operations Fund: Taylor Frazier McCollum expressed support for CB-072 but questioned whether the $15 million allocation is sufficient given $27.3 million spent last winter on snow management. She also raised concerns about homeowner assistance for storm damage.
• Water and Sewer Plan (CR-063): Several speakers (Kimberly Tarver, Joseph Labule, Devin Frost, Shilda Frost, Bruno Reich, Ryan Sellers) from Second Family Inc. requested reclassification of Lancaster Lane from sewer category 5 to 4 to allow public sewer connection for homes serving medically fragile children. They described failing septic systems and health risks. Bruno Reich explained that no on-site solution is feasible due to high water table. Anna Helm requested reclassification for a sustainable housing development in Bowie. Tracy Scudder, representing Adventure Tours, requested reclassification for expansion of a charter bus company to create jobs.
• Additions Package Transparency: Greg Smith requested that agenda items be published earlier to allow public review, and that all bills be sent to committees rather than committee of the whole.

Discussion Items

• Second Reading of CB-069-2026 (Private Schools): Rana Hightower, PHED Committee Director, reported that the committee voted favorably on amendments to CB-069, which exempts private schools in the RR zone from special exception when reoccupying a building previously used as a school. The bill was introduced by Council Member Adams.
• Public Hearings and Enactment:
  • CB-047-2026 (Off-street parking for elderly/disabled housing): Public hearing held with no speakers; bill adopted 7–0.
  • CB-067-2026 (Permitting fees consolidation): Public hearing held with no speakers; bill adopted 7–0.
  • CB-072-2026 (Emergency Weather Operations Fund): Public hearing held with one speaker; bill adopted 7–0.
  • CR-062-2026 (DPI fee increase): TIEE Committee Director J. Kenneth Battle reported a 5–0 favorable committee vote. Public hearing held with no speakers; resolution adopted 7–0.
  • CR-063-2026 (Water and Sewer Plan amendments): Public hearing held with eight speakers; hearing concluded and referred to TIEE committee for scheduling.
• Proposed Correspondence: A letter to Maryland DHCD Secretary Jacob R. Day requesting an extension for implementing Accessory Dwelling Unit legislation was authorized for the Chair's signature by a vote of 7–0.
• Introduction and Adoption of CR-088-2026: This resolution clarified procedures for the Project Charge program in the M-NCPPC FY2027 budget. Chair Oriadha explained it does not change funding but clarifies the intergovernmental transfer process. Rule suspension passed 9–2 (Ivey nay, Harrison abstain). Resolution adopted 9–2 (Harrison and Ivey nay).
• Sponsor Addition: Council Member Adams was added as a sponsor to CB-080-2026 (Universal Design for Housing) at his request.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Adopted (8–0).
• Additions Package Accepted (10–0).
• CR-088-2026 (M-NCPPC budget clarification) Adopted (9–2).
• CB-069-2026 (Private schools special exception) Introduced; referred to PHED committee.
• CB-047-2026 (Parking for elderly/disabled housing) Enacted (7–0).
• CB-067-2026 (Permitting fees) Enacted (7–0).
• CB-072-2026 (Emergency Weather Operations Fund) Enacted (7–0).
• CR-062-2026 (DPI fee increase) Adopted (7–0).
• CR-063-2026 (Water and Sewer Plan amendments) Public hearing held; referred to TIEE committee for further action.
• Letter to DHCD Secretary Authorized (7–0).
• Meeting Adjourned at 11:53 AM.