Area Residents Provide Input Over Development Near Greenbelt Metro

Armed with charts, handouts and an overview, county planners fielded input from area residents Wednesday over plans to establish sustainable growth and development along Greenbelt Road and the city’s Metro station.

One main sector plan goal would create a mixed-use commercial and residential development on the untapped land surrounding the Greenbelt Metro station. The plan, managed by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, will impact city zoning and land-use policies, as well as local transportation.

Planners say they hope to receive the district council’s blessing by late summer 2012, which also coincides with Greenbelt’s 75th anniversary.

“It’s going to be an intensive 18 months,” said Chad Williams, who is heading the project. “We’re trying to come up with a development plan that (both) advocates county goals and enhances the community of Greenbelt in a positive way.”

During the two-hour meeting, resident Doug Love told planners that an emphasis on city organization, accessibility and connectivity should be key features of the project. “We want something that reflects the community,” Love said. “We need more cohesiveness.”

Others agreed, and added that the city should include more access to Franklin Park, bike trails and lanes, larger sidewalks and upscale retail.  “We don’t want to see any casinos, and we don’t want any more liquor stores,” observed one resident. “We have enough of those.”

The meeting drew in some 50 area residents, including a small contingent from North College Park who asked planners to avoid high-rises and limit light pollution that would impact their neighborhood views.

County Councilwoman Ingrid Turner (District 4) also turned up, along with Greenbelt Mayor Judith Davis and Emmett Jordan, Greenbelt’s mayor pro tem.

Jordan expressed enthusiasm over the project, yet said getting more local business owners to partake in the process would be important. “We need to find a way to get them  out (here).”

Mayor Davis said she was pleased to see such a diversity in ideas and opinions. She also noted that a mixed-use plan may be the best option, one that splits the difference between competing interests. 

Meanwhile, Greenbelter Keith Chernikoff said that traffic density from the north should be avoided. “We need better pedestrian connections,” he said. “This is a great opportunity to connect the whole community without using cars.” 

The sectional plan, whose roots date back to 2001, has been promoted by the planning board as a “compact, vertical mixed-use, pedestrian and transit-oriented center consistent with the recommendations of the (county’s) General Plan.”

For more information about the Greenbelt Metro Area and MD 193 Corridor Sector Plan, please visit their site.