The Greenbelt City Council and staff shared their opinions about the revised Preliminary Plan of Subdivision (PPS) of the proposed redevelopment of Beltway Plaza (BP) with its representatives at a worksession on January 8. The representatives were Quantum General Counsel Marc “Kap” Kapistan, attorney Michael Tedesco of McNamee Hosea, Alex Villegas of Rodgers Consulting, Inc., and Michael Lenhart of Lenhart Traffic Consulting, Inc. Some current Beltway Plaza tenants were in attendance. This PPS was part of several new plans submitted during December. The former PPS was submitted on October 7, 2019, following the Conceptual Site Plan (CSP) submitted in 2006. On October 15, 2019, the council entered into a MOU with GB Mall Limited Partnership based on the CSP. The current plan proposes 2,500 multi-family units and 700,000 square feet of retail. The choice to remove townhouses was a major change from previous iterations, as well as more retail placed within the residential buildings. The townhomes were omitted due to traffic circulation issues as well as space demands, according to the BP team. Now available for green space are 7 to 17 acres with 1.9 acres set aside in the development for amenities. They have proposed offering 20,000 square feet of interior recreation space to the city. The meeting began with several BP tenants invited by Kapistan. They all related a significant decrease in foot traffic and sales. Yet, in general, they all anticipated that a redevelopment, with its huge influx of residents, would help turn that around. These tenants have had a presence at BP for years, some going back 40 years, and they have a deep appreciation for the regard and advocacy they have received from Quantum and look for that to continue. The predicament of brick and mortar retail was discussed, with online competition posing a serious threat to its viability. Kapistan was committed to keeping his tenants in business, with the tenants themselves choosing to move ahead despite the situation. BP has a very diverse mix of small and chain businesses, something that the BP team and the council are hoping to preserve. Townhouses had been a part of the MOU, and their omission was viewed as an unexpected change. The plan omits any details as to the nature of the housing such as whether it will be rental or owned and whether some will be set aside for seniors or cooperatives. Council remarked on the high density of the area which appeared to preclude the green space pledged by the representatives. Councilmember Edward Putens was reluctant about moving forward, as the needs of the estimated 6,000 new residents will need to be addressed. He made a parallel with neighboring Greenbelt Station, which is now already faced with inadequate parking and recreation. Community Planner Molly Porter presented a report made by city staff of their concerns about this latest plan.
While the redevelopment is seen as “a great opportunity for Greenbelt West and the city as a whole,” there were reservations about traffic density, recreation facilities and school capacity. Staff had differences of opinion on the traffic study conducted by Lenhart, which they felt was too optimistic and incomplete regarding traffic patterns, the conditions on Breezewood Drive and future circulation issues. Adequate recreation areas were also a concern. While BP is not responsible for school issues, the influx of new residents will burden already overcrowded schools in the city. Staff and attorney Mason Nelson, representing Franklin Park, expressed a desire for more time to make decisions on each plan. (Nelson also presented a counter report on traffic by Dr. Lei Zhang at UMD, which disagreed with the report from Lenhart). The BP team responded by asserting that this plan is still very much in a preliminary stage. Kapistan said a firm decision is far from being made. Tedesco stated that collaboration is still their focus and that they pledge to adhere to the former conditions agreed upon. Villegas said he sought an “evolution of listening to people,” to create an “excellent at the local level … are really focusing on education and outreach within those hard-to-count communities in order to make the Census Bureau’s job a little easier and smoother,” Cannistra said. Baucum Colbert noted that some privacy concerns and the current political climate may cause people to pause in responding to the census. “However, we want to change that narrative,” she said. She says no person should worry about persecution in filling out the census form, including undocumented immigrants – there will not be a citizenship question on the survey. Further, there is a $250,000 fine and/or up to five years in prison for any Census Bureau staff who shares any person’s personal information from the census. CENSUS continued from page 1 According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2010 – the last time the census was taken – Prince George’s County had an estimated undercount rate of 2.3 percent, while nationally there was an overcount rate of about 0.01 percent. The Complete County Committee, formed by the county in partnership with the federal government, attempts to mitigate this error for 2020. “Based on last year’s efforts and this year’s efforts, we are hoping that number goes down,” said Baucum Colbert. Greenbelt residents can expect to receive an invitation to participate in the census from mid-March to April 1, and can respond online, by phone or by mail. At her retirement party, Debbie Coulter, left, celebrates 25 years with Greenbelt Recreation. Greg Varda, recreation supervisor, presents her with a plaque, while Hank Irving, former recreation director, looks on. PHOTO BY BEVERLY PALAU Debbie Coulter Retires project for all.” Councilmembers Judith Davis and Silke Pope made it clear that they are not enemies to this plan but are focused on creating the best plan for the community as a whole. The plan will next go before the Advisory Planning Board and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Council will vote on their recommendation to Prince George’s County Planning Board on January 27.