The Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee of the Prince George's County Council convened on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 10:35 a.m., concluding at 12:20 p.m. The meeting, chaired by Council Member Wala Blegay, handled nine legislative bills with all final votes cast unanimously (5-0). Central themes included repealing the data center site plan exemption, streamlining development approvals for transit areas, and regulating tobacco sales.
CB-019 | Data Centers: Several residents and advocates expressed strong support for repealing the site plan exemption. Beth Landry (CCAN Action Fund) asked for confirmation the bill would not undermine the existing two-year moratorium, which Chair Blegay and Vice Chair Oriadha affirmed. Nancy Feissner (District 4) reported a 100% rejection of data centers among sampled constituents. Taylor Frazier McCollum presented a petition with over 25,000 signatures against data centers. Speakers broadly urged stronger action, including a permanent ban.
CB-076 | Commercial Reinvestment: John Robinson expressed concern that the bill accelerated developer-driven processes, advocating for community-led planning models instead.
CB-083 | Tobacco & Convenience Stores: Industry representatives Mike O'Halloran (MAPDA) and Sarah Price (Maryland Retailers Alliance) asked the committee to distinguish legitimate convenience stores from illegal smoke shops, arguing the bill penalizes compliant businesses.
CB-084 | Streamlining Site Plan: John Robinson and Kathy Bartolomeo opposed the bill, arguing it reduces transparency and risks environmental oversight given current departmental understaffing.
CB-035 | Day Care Centers: Heather Dlhopolsky (Kingdom Fellowship AME Church) supported the bill. John Robinson cautioned against removing approval steps to maintain public safety.
CB-019 | Data Centers (Favorably Recommended): Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha characterized the original 2021 exemption (CB-120-21) as a profound betrayal of public trust, labeling it a process done in the dark of night to circumvent community input. Proposed Draft 2A, explained by Legislative Attorney Josh Hamlin, closes the loophole by reaching back to projects with transitional provisions and requiring consistency with the General Plan. Chair Blegay emphasized transparency and apologized for not knowing about the loophole.
CB-076 | Commercial Reinvestment (Held): This bill creates an alternate, streamlined review track for high-density mixed-use projects in transit districts. Discussion focused on the definition of qualifying areas. Chad Williams (M-NCPPC) corrected the record that as written the definition would not include Purple Line stations. The bill also removes the council's call-up power. Council members debated the scope, leading the committee to hold the bill for the sponsor to draft revisions.
CB-077 | Community Service & Commercial Uses (Favorably Recommended): The bill permits commercial reuse of existing buildings in the RSF-A zone. David Warner (M-NCPPC) noted vague character standards are difficult for permit staff. Council Member Dernoga suggested applying commercial zone (CS) standards. Chair Oriadha committed to working on amendments.
CB-083 | Tobacco in Convenience Stores (Favorably Recommended): Chair Oriadha described the bill as the culmination of a three-year battle against an epidemic of law-breaking shops. The bill prohibits tobacco sales in convenience stores without fuel pumps.
CB-084 & CB-035 | Streamlining and Day Cares (Favorably Recommended): Both bills advanced with technical Draft 2 amendments. The childcare bill (CB-035) removes zoning hurdles such as special exceptions to increase capacity while preserving strict state safety licensing standards.
All motions carried 5-0.
Good morning. All right, call in planning housing and economic development committee to order. Are we on we are now? Good morning, everyone. Calling planning, housing and economic development committee to order on September 27th. Can we please call the roll? Chair Blagay. Present. Councilmember Adam Stafford. Councilmember Denoga. Present. Councilmember Olson. Here. Vice Chair Oyada. Here. Motion. I mean, um, five members present at roll call. All right, thank you. Um, so we have an agenda, a long agenda of bills today. Um, can we we're starting with um and um is this CB19? The first on the agenda, Madam Chair. Um good morning. We can start with CB19, or we can go ahead and go back to bill right that we're so let me um so let me circle back. Sorry about that. Um I would like to bring CB 89 forward and act concerning sale of tobacco products and convenience stores. Um, and that um I think we have a motion for this bill. Oh motion to move favorable. Sorry. 89, I'll apologize. It's hold the holds. Because I have two bills just for clarification. Um, we are going to be moving this forward. Umriginally, staff thought we needed the two pieces of legislation, and they are recommending only one. Um, so my intention is still to pass this legislation. Um, we're just holding the one we don't believe we need. Um okay, thank you. Um so you have a motion to hold and and yes, so there's been a motion. Okay, um, there's a motion by um the chair, second by the vice chair. May you please call the roll. Um aye. Councilmember Adam Stafford. Aye. Councilmember Denoga. Councilmember Olson. I chair Oyaga. Oh motion carries five zero. Thank you so much. Okay, now we can move on. Madam Chair, if I may interrupt our you all voted to hold indefinitely. Is that correct?