Prince George's County Council Legislative Session - October 26, 2026

The Prince George's County Council convened at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 26, 2026, for Legislative Day No. 36 in Committee Room 2027. The meeting included a consent agenda item, multiple public hearings, and enactment of numerous bills addressing illegal vending, street vending pilot, quiet landscaping equipment, affordable housing, property tax relief for seniors, returning citizen employment, and economic development streamlining. The council also held a public hearing on a court-ordered remand for land use designations in Subregion 5 and 6 Master Plans. Votes were recorded on all items.

Consent Calendar

• CR-121-2026: A resolution concerning Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for the National Harbor Development District and National Harbor Extraordinary Development District. Introduced by the Chair (by request of the County Executive) and referred to the Committee of the Whole. No additional sponsors.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Court Order Remand (Subregion 5 & 6): Thomas Haller (attorney for Christmas Farm), Carol Drewyer and Corinne Crispus Sullivan (Christmas family members), Arthur Horn (attorney for Robindale LLC), Daniel Cassidy (for Christmas Farm), and Edward Gibbs (attorney for MCQ Auto Service Center) testified. All urged the council to reaffirm the 2009 zoning approvals (RR zone for Christmas Farm and Robindale; CM zone for MCQ Auto). They argued the remand was solely to correct a procedural error (missing ethics affidavits) and that the council must not make substantive changes. The attorney for MCQ Auto noted his client’s case did not involve ethics affidavits; the Supreme Court found errors in the 2009 downzoning.
• CB-003-2026 (Illegal Vending Penalties): Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters (e.g., Latrice, Minnie L. Alexander, Rita Miles, Ebony Brooks) cited safety, traffic, noise, trash, and property value concerns. Opponents (e.g., John Clark of DSA PG, Lindolfo Carvalho of We Are Casa, multiple street vendors including Alba and Sarah Mark) argued the bill targets Latino and immigrant communities, lacks a clear path to licensing, and would devastate livelihoods. Many called for a pilot program first.
• CB-013-2026 (Street Vending Pilot Program): Only one speaker (Caroline Edwards) signed up, no testimony given.
• CB-093-2026 (Cannabis Reinvestment Board): Board members Dr. Rachel Jordan, Crystal Carpenter, and Natalie Doris, along with community advocates Don Dalton, Yannetta Manual (ACLU of MD), and Tamara McKinney, opposed the bill. They argued it would strip the board of its authority, impose unrealistic deadlines (January 1, 2027), and mischaracterize the fund. They requested retaining board authority, extending the timeline, and ensuring adequate administrative support.

Discussion Items

• CB-003-2026 (Illegal Vending Penalties): Councilmember Fisher, the sponsor, offered amendments after hearing concerns: (1) removal of the prohibition on private property vending (by Councilmember Dernoga), (2) extending implementation from 6 months to 1 year, and (3) reducing fines to a mandatory warning, then $500, $1,000, and $2,000 for subsequent offenses. Fisher emphasized the companion bill (CB-013) creates a legal vending pathway. After debate, the amendments passed 11-0. On final enactment, Councilmembers Olson, Ivey, Adams-Stafford, and Blegay voted no, while Chair Oriadha, Adams, Burroughs, Dernoga, Fisher, Harrison, and Hunter voted yes. Motion carried 7-4.
• CB-013-2026 (Street Vending Pilot Program): Councilmember Fisher moved an amendment to change the implementation timeline from 6 months to 1 year, to align with CB-003. Amendment passed 9-0. Enactment passed 9-0 (Fisher passed on the vote).
• CB-048-2026 (Prohibited Home Businesses): No speakers. Enacted 9-0.
• CB-061-2026 (Surplus Property): No speakers. Enacted 9-0.
• CB-065-2026 (Senior Co-Housing Expansion): Councilmember Blegay was added as a sponsor. Enacted 9-0.
• CB-075-2026 (Quiet and Clean Landscaping Equipment): Greg Smith (Sustainable Hyattsville) testified in support, citing health and quality of life benefits. Enacted 9-0.
• CB-079-2026 (Housing and Property Standards): No speakers. Enacted 9-0.
• CB-080-2026 (Universal Design for Housing): No speakers. Enacted 9-0.
• CB-086-2026 (Community Safe Spaces Act): Greg Smith testified in support. Enacted 9-0.
• CB-087-2026 (Electrical Code): No speakers. Enacted 8-0 (one member absent).
• CB-088-2026 (Concurrent Development Review): Greg Smith testified in opposition, citing concerns about obsolete precipitation data and broken tracking systems. Councilmember Adams offered a technical amendment requiring an approved Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) plan prior to stormwater concept plan approval. Amendment passed 8-0. Enacted as amended 8-0.
• CB-091-2026 (Development Ombudsman): Greg Smith testified with concerns about lack of clarity and potential pressure on staff. Enacted 8-0.
• CB-092-2026 (Accessory Dwelling Units): No speakers. Enacted 8-0.
• CB-094-2026 (Property Tax Credit for Elderly): No speakers. Discussion: Councilmember Adams-Stafford asked about funding; Chair Oriadha explained it was negotiated with the County Executive. Enacted 8-1.
• CB-095-2026 (Property Tax Deferral for Elderly/Disabled): No speakers. Enacted 7-1.
• CB-096-2026 (Residential Parking on Unpaved Areas): No speakers. Enacted 9-0.
• CB-097-2026 (Affordable Housing Opportunity Sites): No speakers. Enacted 9-0.
• CB-098-2026 (Property Tax Credit for Reduced Rent): No speakers. Councilmember Adams-Stafford asked about funding and percentage; Chair Oriadha clarified the waiver provision allows modification. Enacted 8-1.
• CB-099-2026 (Small Housing Provider Financing): No speakers. Enacted 8-1.
• CB-100-2026 (Surplus County Property for Affordable Housing): Discussion on percentage (one-third) and waiver. Councilmember Adams-Stafford expressed concerns about retroactivity and impact on current projects. Motion carried 7-0-2 (Burroughs and Harrison abstained).
• CB-101-2026 (Returning Citizen Employment): No speakers. Enacted 9-0.
• CB-102-2026 (Re-entry Employment Incentive Modifications): No speakers. Enacted 9-0.
• CB-105-2026 (High-Wage Employer Fast Track): Greg Smith testified in opposition, citing undefined process and overburdened agencies. Councilmember Dernoga moved an amendment to add a reporting requirement; passed 9-0. Enacted as amended 9-0.
• CB-106-2026 (Economic Development Incentive Fund): No speakers. Enacted 9-0.
• CB-107-2026 (Shovel-Ready Employment Sites): Greg Smith testified in opposition. Councilmember Dernoga moved to add a community input requirement; passed 10-0. Enacted as amended 10-0.
• CB-108-2026 (Public Land First for Affordable Housing): No speakers. Enacted 7-0 (some members absent).
• CB-109-2026 (Public Land Affordability Requirement): No speakers. Enacted 8-0.
• CB-093-2026 (Cannabis Reinvestment Board): After public testimony, council debated amendments. Councilmember Blegay moved to extend the deadline for recommendations from January 1, 2027 to April 1, 2027; passed 7-1-2 (Hunter voted no, Harrison passed). Discussion on administrative support, board authority, and appointment process. Councilmember Harrison moved to table, but lacked a second. Final enactment passed 7-2-1 (Harrison and Hunter voted no, Adams-Stafford abstained).
• CR-115-2026 (County-Owned Grocery Store): Introduced by Chair Oriadha. A motion to suspend rules for immediate adoption failed to get eight votes; referred to Committee of the Whole.

Key Outcomes

• CR-121-2026: Introduced and referred to Committee of the Whole.
• CB-003-2026 (Illegal Vending): Enacted as amended (7-4). Effective in one year; fines: warning, $500, $1,000, $2,000; private property vending exempted.
• CB-013-2026 (Street Vending Pilot): Enacted (9-0). Requires OHS, EDC, Health Dept to develop pilot program within one year.
• CB-048, 061, 065, 075, 079, 080, 086, 087, 092, 094, 095, 096, 097, 098, 099, 101, 102, 106, 108, 109: Enacted with broad support.
• CB-088, 091, 105, 107: Enacted with amendments (reporting, community input, technical clarity).
• CB-093 (Cannabis Board): Enacted (7-2-1). Board name changed; council staff to provide support; $5,000 minimum appropriation; terms expire 45 days after effective date with reappointment possible; deadline for recommendations extended to April 1, 2027.
• CB-100 (Surplus Property for Affordable Housing): Enacted (7-0-2). Requires evaluation of surplus property for affordability; one-third affordable units required on residential projects of 10+ units, with waiver authority.
• Public Hearing on Subregion 5 & 6 Remand: Concluded; record remains open until November 10, 2026. Staff to prepare resolution for later action.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately [time not given], followed by Committee of the Whole.