On December 9, the Greenbelt City Council continued an ongoing discussion about the multifamily housing development on Cherrywood Lane proposed by the developer NRP Group LLC, spending more time on this topic than any other matter. The development, called Motiva, has received both support and skepticism from council. Both council and members of the public have raised concerns about the environment, parking, traffic and recreation. The NRP Group has made some revisions based on these concerns, which are showcased in a Detailed Site Plan (DSP), including a storm water retention pond, electrical vehicle charging ports, additional access drives and a $50,000 contribution to Springhill Lake Recreation Center. “I appreciate that you have made so many accommodations in your planning and listened carefully,” said Councilmember Emmett Jordan. The NRP Group’s Preliminary Plan of Subdivision was approved by the Prince George’s County Planning Board, with conditions, on October 10. Since NRP filed the DSP, city staff has recommended that council support it, but with conditions. “We spent a considerable amount of time going through different ideas and suggestions,” said Matthew Tedesco, legal counsel for the NRP Group. “The product of that is [the Advisory Planning Board’s] support [and] the applicant’s willingness to adjust.” Among the conditions are that the applicant must consider a recreation trail around the perimeter, as well as a solar energy system and a geothermal heating and cooling system. It also must provide some sort of shade for the playground, redesign some parking, and research ways to be more energy efficient. Councilmember Judith Davis suggested that the development hold regular tenant meetings, and Tedesco said the NRP Group planned to do so. Davis also suggested that the development ensure that there would be a place for Greenbelt News Review dissemination in public spaces of the facility. Jordan referred to recommendations from councilmembers at previous meetings with NRP that they incorporate a retail aspect into the development. “My only regret is the small retail piece,” Jordan said. “I think that it would have succeeded, or would succeed.” “We want to be proactive instead of reactive,” said councilmember Silke Pope. She urged NRP to invest in education in the city so as to account for more students who will attend schools in Greenbelt. Councilmember Rodney Roberts added, “There’s no school for these kids to go to.” He cited that as one of two reasons he was voting against the motion. The second reason, he said, was that “converting commercial property into residential property is just not a good deal for Greenbelt. We need more spaces for new businesses to move into.” Some members of the public also expressed their disapproval for the project. “They really see this as a closed enclave,” said Greenbelt resident William Orleans. “I don’t think the residents of this place, if it’s to proceed, will see themselves very much as part of the historic Greenbelt community. This is at variance with the history of Greenbelt.” “I don’t think council should endorse this,” Orleans said. “Ultimately I would like to see council reconsider the use of this land.” In response, Davis noted council’s relative insignificance when it comes to zoning issues. “Folks keep forgetting that we do not have zoning authority,” Davis said. “If we decide to say no to it, that’s fine, they might just as well go forward and approve it without our conditions.” She emphasized the importance of a balanced dialogue about the plan. “We get the best possible deal we can because they do want our support. If we refuse to negotiate then they’ll just go right to the county and they’ll get probably a much worse development in our eyes.” Pope moved to support the plan with the conditions, and Davis seconded the motion. Jordan and Councilmember Leta Mach also supported it; Councilmember Edward Putens was not present for the vote. Mayor Colin Byrd and Roberts both opposed it. The motion to support the NRP DSP with conditions passed 4 to 2.
