Prince George's County Council Committee of the Whole Work Session – September 29, 2026

The Prince George's County Council, sitting as the Committee of the Whole, met on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 1:30 PM in Committee Room 2027. The meeting covered two major sector plan and sectional map amendment (SMA) items, several financial authorizations, and contract approvals. Nine members were present for roll call.

Public Comments & Testimony

• For the Port Towns Sector Plan (TA-4-2026): The committee received 25 pieces of written testimony and five oral speakers at the joint public hearing on May 11, 2026. Two late testimony items were admitted. The town of Colmar Manor and some residents expressed concerns about zoning changes, transition areas, and density; towns of Bladensburg, Cottage City, and Edmonston submitted testimony in favor of all proposed zoning changes.
• For the Central Branch Avenue Corridor Plan (TA-5-2026): A joint public hearing was held on June 29, 2026, with the record closing July 14, 2026. No speakers were listed for later legislation.

Discussion Items

• TA-4-2026: Port Towns Sector Plan & Proposed SMA – Staff (Emily Lutz, Arnaldo Ruiz) presented an overview of the preliminary plan, key testimony issues, and Planning Board revisions. Key topics included: a transition area around the neighborhood center boundary (originally proposed RSF-65 to RSF-A, but Planning Board removed the zoning change pending a missing middle housing study); a cultural heritage trail concept incorporating a University of Maryland PALS project; adjustments to reduce plan length by moving appendices online; revisions to preserve the transition area as a buffer; and updates to policies on green jobs, rooftop agriculture, historic preservation, and pedestrian connections. The endorsed SMA removed four zoning changes in Colmar Manor and Cottage City and corrected a zoning error in Colmar Manor.
• TA-5-2026: Central Branch Avenue Corridor Sector Plan & Proposed SMA – Staff (Michael Calamis, Corey Arsenal, Kier McCune) gave a truncated presentation. The minor plan amendment and endorsed SMA were adopted by the Planning Board on September 17, 2026. No substantive changes from the Planning Board recommendations were noted. The committee discussed the timeline and opened the floor for questions; no major concerns were raised.
• CB-130-2026: General Obligation Bonds – Staff (Alex Hurdle) presented a bill authorizing up to $788,587,000 in general obligation bonds and $161,463,000 in stormwater management bonds for FY2027 capital projects, plus up to $950,050,000 in bond anticipation notes. Legal sufficiency was confirmed. No public speakers.
• CR-147-2026 (corrected to CR-102-2026): Contract Approvals – Staff presented a resolution approving multiyear contract modifications for snow and ice control services (three contracts) and essential transportation services (two contracts) whose approved funding was insufficient for FY2027. Legal sufficiency confirmed. No public speakers.
• CR-148-2026 (corrected to CR-103-2026): Local Impact Grant Funds Multiyear Plan – This item was deferred to the October 6, 2026 Committee of the Whole. The committee voted to accept the additions package (6-0).
• CR-91-2026: Local Impact Grant Funds Multiyear Plan (second item) – After a brief recess, the committee considered a separate resolution. The Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee had reported it favorably on September 24. An amendment was offered and approved, then the resolution passed as amended.
• CB-131-2026: Immersive Entertainment Venue Community Impact Funding – Staff presented a bill reserving 5% of tax revenue from a new immersive entertainment venue for communities within a six-mile radius. The sponsor offered an amendment to add an uncodified section acknowledging the county executive’s support; the amendment passed, and the bill passed as amended.

Key Outcomes

• Port Towns Sector Plan (TA-4-2026): Motion to direct staff to prepare a resolution of approval for the sector plan (in accordance with the Planning Board) passed 6-0-1 (Councilmember Adams abstained due to his appointment to the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission). A separate motion for the SMA passed 6-0-1.
• Central Branch Avenue Corridor (TA-5-2026): Motion to direct staff to prepare a resolution of approval for the minor plan amendment passed 6-0; motion for the SMA passed 6-0.
• CB-130-2026: Motion to approve passed 7-0.
• CR-147-2026 (CR-102-2026): Motion to approve passed 6-0.
• CR-148-2026 (CR-103-2026): Deferred to October 6, 2026; motion to accept additions package passed 6-0.
• CR-91-2026: Amendment passed 7-0-1 (Councilmember Ivy abstained); final passage as amended passed 7-0-1.
• CB-131-2026: Amendment passed 6-0-1 (Ivy abstained); final passage as amended passed 6-0-1 (Councilmember Adams initially passed but later voted aye).
• Adjournment: The committee adjourned at the conclusion of the legislative items.