The Greenbelt East Advisory Committee (GEAC) met with the Greenbelt City Council on April 14 to discuss a number of pressing issues facing their part of the city. GEAC’s associated homeowner’s associations (HOAs) and condo associations (CAs) share many common concerns and are striving to return to a level of normality, including regular and well-attended community meetings, even if they are still largely virtual.
Maglev
The proposed maglev project continues to be of concern. Council reaffirmed the No Build option, employing Jill Grant & Associates to aid in reviewing and drafting comments on the current Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The last statement was released in June 2021 to the city’s congressional delegation. The city is now awaiting the Final DEIS, which Mayor Emmett Jordan hoped would arrive in the next two to three months. The city is pressing the state legislature to pass bills that would prevent the project from receiving any public funds; unfortunately, all such bills have failed to pass. Jordan summed up council’s strategy, as well as many of the area’s related entities, as “taking every action in our power to fight” this very controversial proposal.
Zoning
GEAC sought an update on the county’s new zoning regulations, which went into effect on April 1, especially its ramifications on the Hanover Parkway office corridor and Greenway Center. Regarding the new commercial office zone, there is added flexibility and mixed development is possible. Council reported that no large projects are being proposed and that the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite greatly simplifies approval processes. Some of the projects still on the table are the Beltway Plaza redevelopment, the Royal Farms station and the city’s acquisition of the Armory.
Redistricting
There are several changes brought on by the new redistricting map for voting districts, moving Greenbelt from District 5 to District 4, which will bring an end to the city’s long and close relationship with U.S. Representative Steny Hoyer. The city awaits a new congressperson to be sworn in next January, with current District 4 Delegate Anthony Brown not seeking reelection. Jordan hoped that whoever replaces Brown will continue to look after the city’s many needs.
Bikes and Pedestrians
Regarding bike lanes for Hanover Parkway, city staff is striving for funding to complete 90 percent of the design drawings, with a cost estimate of $800,000. The city does not have an implementation time frame. The intersection of Hanover Parkway and Greenbelt Road continues to be a hazardous area for bikes and pedestrians.
FBI Headquarters
Jordan expressed his view that Greenbelt is still the best location for the relocation of FBI headquarters, which is still a viable proposal. Jordan cited Greenbelt’s available space and ability to handle commuting traffic through Metro station access, which Landover, the other main contender at present, is lacking. No definite timelines are in place.
Greenbrook Bridge
Efforts on the Greenbrook Bridge are on hold for the moment due to limited staff resources, but placeholder funds for Fiscal Year 2023 have been proposed to help initiate the project. Permitting and design work is pending. The high amounts of trash and illegal dumping on the adjoining trail were discussed, with suggestions of a volunteer cleanup made. The trails are privately owned but council expressed a willingness to help if needed on any maintenance issues.
A phased two-year project is still planned to replace the aging Bradford pear trees along Hanover Parkway and Greenbriar with a diversity of species.
Crime
Greenbelt Police Chief Richard Bowers stated that crime in the city is at a low point but that it “can spike instantaneously.” There are three main beats in the city with six officers assigned along with three floater officers. Staff numbers 51 now, short of the full complement of 53. Bowers reassured the attendees that there was a police presence in every part of the city at all times. The community policing team of Corporal Carlos Torres and Officer Rakibur Rahman is always available. The Department’s crime reports are now accessible on the city’s website along with a new email alert system. Hannah Glasgow is the new public information officer and can be reached at hglasgow@greenbeltmd.gov.
Covid
Council continues to take Covid as a serious concern, with 96.1 percent of staff vaccinated and 51 percent boosted. Even though mask mandates have been relaxed recently, council follows the county’s lead and supports every citizen’s personal choice to wear one or not, advocating for each resident to evaluate the risk for each situation.
Light Poles, Cable Boxes
The fallen light pole at the intersection of Morrison Drive and Ora Glen Drive has been acknowledged by the Department of Public Works which is working with Pepco’s construction repair department to resolve the issue. While the city owns the pole and its light, it is maintained and operated by Pepco. The lack of adequate lighting at Hanover Parkway and Greenbelt Road remains a safety problem at night.
The city’s website now has a link to Comcast and Verizon for residents to report open, derelict cable boxes, with an option to contact the city manager’s office directly.
Rental Unit Permits
The proper permitting of the city’s rental and short-time rental units was discussed, with council asking residents to report any suspicious instances.
Neighborhood Updates
The HOAs and CAs represented were: Belle Point, Greenspring, Hunting Ridge, Greenwood Village, Greenbriar and Greenbelt Lake Village.
In general, they all reported an acceptable state of affairs. A pressing concern for all was water issues, such as leaks and standing water, expressing frustration with WSSC, which has been alerted, for letting the problems persist.
Hunting Ridge has hired a security firm to patrol the neighborhood from dark to 3 a.m., the high-crime period, and has reported general satisfaction with the results.
Councilmember Judith Davis addressed complaints from Greenspring that their children are not slotted for Greenbelt Elementary School, and instead are placed at Magnolia Elementary. She pointed out that Magnolia is a city school, with high ratings in student achievement and teacher excellence.
Acting City Manager Timothy George explained that placing new dog stations at Schrom Hills Park requires having a proper maintenance system before they can be installed.
GEAC encouraged council to again make a regular appearance at their meetings. Council expressed that they would be happy to and would be there to listen and not dominate the conversation.