Greetings, South County (District 9) Neighbors. The last time I provided a development update was at the end of 2025, when I shared some Good News! Here's the latest update, starting with some new communities:
Grandhaven (Marlton) - PPS-2024-0015 (NEW)
This is a new townhouse development in Marlton for 89 units. The Preliminary Plan of Subdivision was heard last week and approved by the Planning Board. According to the developer's attorney, this is the last section of Marlton to be built.
The main issue from this application is that 17 lots are to be accessed directly from Grandhaven Avenue and one lot access from Heathermore Boulevard. Both Grandhaven and Heathermore are collector roads with 80-foot and 120-foot right-of-way, respectively. Collector roads are the main roads from communities that get you to an arterial, state road or main thoroughfare (in this case Route 301). As a result, our local zoning ordinance does not permit residential access onto a collector road because they impede traffic.
The developer recognized this and actually wanted to vacate the collector status of these roads. Really?!, For 18 units?! Please! Those roads are already congested with commuter traffic. The planning staff and new owner of the Marlton Golf Course rightfully objected. The Marlton Golf Course owner wants the collector status to remain so direct access to the course is not negatively impacted.
A slight compromise was reached. Heathermore Boulevard will remain a collector road. The planning staff recommended that Grandhaven be evaluated under the ongoing (new) Countywide Master Plan of Transportation. If the developer can convince the planners to allow Grandhaven to become a primary road, then the preliminary plan of subdivision can be approved. If not, the applicant would have a file a new PPS application limiting driveway access from Grandhaven.
Stay tuned, but plan to participate in the Go Prince George's Countywide Master Plan of Transportation. A Joint Public Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 6 PM the Wayne Curry Administration Building. Register to speak at: https://pgccouncil.us/speak and review the preliminary Go Prince George's Master Plan of Transportation at: pgplan.org/go.
Hope Village Phase 2 - Upper Marlboro (off MD 223 - Woodyard Rd near Route 4) (NEW)
This project is not new to the community, but new as report from me. This project is along MD 223 Woodyard Road just beyond Windsor Park community heading toward Route 4, Pennsylvania Avenue. You may have noticed to tree clearing where crews are installing the stone construction entrances and perimeter sediment controls. Once the tree clearing is complete, the sewer outfall construction will begin. This is the ongoing work you may have noticed.
The entire property was purchased by Galilee Baptist Church to build a new church sanctuary along with senior housing. This is still the plan, however, the Church did sell a portion of property (Phase 2) to a developer for the construction of 249 townhomes. While the property has completed most of the zoning process, there will be more applications for Phase 1 of the project once the church is ready. I'll keep you posted.
Meridian Hill - (off MD 223 Woodyard Rd behind Perrywood) SE-23003 (NEW)
This project is to re-zone property currently zoned as agricultural residential and the developer wants to build attached 75 attached villas. It's located behind the Perrywood HOA subdivision with access through that community. However, there are wetlands there and wild turkeys.
The developer is going through the zoning process and there is a virtual hearing with the Zoning Examiner on March 18, 2023 at 9:30 AM. Because this is an evidentiary hearing, you need to be or have been a Person of Record to participate in this proceeding, and it is wise to hire zoning counsel. Here's the link once again to register as a person of record, using SE-23003: Person of Record.
Morton Farms (across from the Accokeek Post Office) - PPS- 4-22067
The owner of this 84-acre farm has sold it to a developer and proposes a 148 single family development. The application to hear the case was continued to allow for more community outreach, which occurred in January at the library and last month mostly with members of the Greater Accokeek Civic Association ("GACA"). During that February GACA meeting, residents were not happy that the developer's representatives were not being totally transparent. Archaeological artifacts were found on the site and so a portion of the land cannot be developed and will be placed on the National Historic Preservation Register. A second site was investigated but found negligible artifacts. It remains to be seen whether this site will be preserved, which the community wants.
Meanwhile, the owner of the land, the Morton Family, are equally unhappy with the developer over disputes regarding promised payments. What a mess!
The preliminary plan of subdivision application was scheduled to be heard last week, but another continuance was granted to the developer. It looks like the matter will be heard this week on Thursday, March 12th at 10 AM. Please use the same link above to register to be a Person of Record, but to register to speak, you must do so by 12:00 noon tomorrow, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Use this link to register to speak: Register to Speak.
The Grove at Hyde Landing (former Al Pacha property behind Hyde Field - ZMA-2024-004
The zoning hearing before the Planning Board for this application ZMA-2024-004 was approved. The next step in the re-zoning process is the matters goes before zoning hearing examiner on March 25, 2026 at 9:30 AM virtually. Please use the same links above to Register as a person of record and to speak at the hearing.
Dobson Farm - McKendree Road in Brandywine down from Wawa AND
Saddle Ridge- Floral Park/Accokeek Roads in Brandywine - PPS-4-24013
The Planning Board's decisions approving these applications (because they were permitted under the new indefinite suspension of the public safety response time requirements that Council Chair Oriadha introduced last year) were appealed to the Circuit Court of Prince George's County. Those Petitions for Judicial Review were dismissed due to lack of standing but litigation is ongoing.
Hyde Landing (former airport across from Miller's Farm) PRE-APP-2025-0001
No new update. The clearing of land that you see along Steed Road on the airport property and across the street on is for the solar farm portion of the project only. The solar farm has been approved by the Maryland Department of the Environment so that portion is beginning construction. The developer has filed its application for Detailed Site Plan ("DPS") Infrastructure was recently heard and approved.
To learn more about the project, visit: https://hydelanding.com/ or contact the developer's counsel, Matthew Tedesco, Esq. at 301-441-2420, mtedesco@mhlawyers.com.
Edelen (Piscataway Stables) ZMA-2025-004
The Edelen brothers want to upzone and subdivide the lot size to build over 500 single family homes instead of just 250 homes.
The zoning application still has "yet to be accepted" by the MNCPPC planning staff, but a recent stakeholder meeting last week provided greater details please do register as a person of record to stay informed. Use this link: Person of Record. A community stakeholder meeting was held last week, and the developer shared greater detail on the road improvements and some amenities for the new community and surrounding communities. One of the amenities for the greater community is to place a park area (and access to the trail network) closer to Piscataway Road with parking at one of its entrances.
Signature Club East Apartments - Signature Club - Manokeek
No new update, but here's the latest. This is a great win for Accokeek community!! The contract purchaser of the property, WP East Acquisitions, LLC (the wholly-owned subsidiary to a nationwide apartment builder), terminated its contract with the landowner. That entity is no longer a co-applicant with the landowner to redevelop the land for apartments!
While the national apartment chain is no longer a co-applicant in the case, leaving the landowner alone to pursue its applications for approval of the Conceptual Site Plan and Tree Conservation Plan, the landowner is still represented by zoning counsel also and is pursuing the applications. They simply no longer have a buyer and the development rights are probably up for sale again. The landowner most likely wants to see these applications through so they can sell the land at an even higher price, having secured all necessary planning approvals.
The Accokeek neighbors have filed a Petition for Judicial Review as well. They also have a petition for Accokeek residents to unite and legal defense fund. Ongoing communications between the attorneys is occurring. f Please sign the petition Keep Accokeek Green. Donate to the legal defense fund here: Accokeek Legal Defense Fund. For more information, email keep.accokeek.green@gmail.com.
Bailey's Lot 10 Apartments & Retail - The Preserves - Accokeek - CDP -9306-06
No also new update, but here's the latest. Remember that 140-unit apartment complex with retail that was proposed for Bailey's Lot 10 (less than 2 acres of land) at the Preserve at Piscataway?
Well, the HOA liaisons, that includes yours truly, met with the development team and we're now down 29 units and 5 retail and commercial units!! We are still working with the development team to convert those units to condominiums and have asked for more amenities. I ran into the developer's liaison, Mr. Eddie Pounds, late last year and he mentioned that will be getting back to the community, but crickets so far.
In the meantime, the SHA construction of the roundabout at the Floral Park/Piscataway Road is ongoing (somewhat of a traffic nightmare for Accokeek Academy staff, parents, students and commuters through the area). Learn more about the SHA/MDOT roundabout project here: Piscataway-Floral Park Roundabout.
If you would like to learn more or see a development sign along side your roadway and want an update on the project, please email me using this link: tamara@tamaradavisbrown.org.
LDR-05-2026 Residential Infill - CB-92-2025
This proposed County Council zoning bill was on the Planning Board's agenda last week, but the Planning Board voted to take "no position" on the bill. While the planning staff and board support the state intent to expand housing diversity inside of the beltway, which I also support, but opposed using the legislative route (a text amendment to the Local Zoning Ordinance) to achieve the Council's objectives. The Planning staff and Board recommending that the County use pursue such development through the appropriate Planned Development and rezoning process.
Please stay informed and engaged! Please share with your District 9 neighbors.
"The heaviest penalty for deciding not to engage in politics is to be ruled by someone inferior to yourself." Plato
Why Vote for and support TAMARA?
Did you know that over 60% of what the County Council does is sit as District Council on zoning and land use matters or introduce and hear bills on zoning and land use (like LDR-05-2026) as the County Council?
Who is qualified to hold this position than an experienced community advocate and activist that has been in the trenches for over 2 decades fighting alongside you for our quality of life? No other candidate running for the District 9 seat has as much experience in this area and gets the results and collaborative victories for our communities.
I am asking for your vote on June 23, 2026 and your support of my candidacy through donations and volunteering. No donation is too small and we need all hands on deck. Please visit my website: www.tamaradavisbrown.org to learn more about me and my platform, to donate or volunteer.
Yours in Service,
Tamara Davis Brown
Candidate, District 9 County Council
Click here to donate: DONATE
Click here to listen to the latest episodes of: All Politics is Local Podcast
By Authority: Tamara Davis Brown for Prince George's County, Barbara D. Waits, Treasurer
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Tamara Davis Brown - Did you know that PEPCO is asking state regulators for a distribution rate increase? PEPCO’s proposed increase would grow its existing summer rates by 15 percent and winter rates by 33 percent, for an overall increase of 23 percent. Because PEPCO’s summer rates apply for 5 months of the year and its winter rates apply for 7 months, the overall increase reflects a weighted average of those two seasonal rates. The proposed increase would follow a decade of steadily rising distribution rates. If approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC), it would mean distribution rates will have increased about 63 percent since 2020 and 132 percent since 2016.
This comes on the heels when Maryland legislators effectively eliminated our consumer choice in utility suppliers so PEPCO and other energy distributors, like SMECO and BGE, have a monopoly on both the supply and distribution sides of electricity generation and distribution, which state legislators need to fix.
To better explain PEPCO’s recent rate proposal, the Maryland Office of the People's Counsel prepared a guide. Click here for: “A Consumer's Guide to PEPCO's Proposed Rate Increase". The Consumer Guide identifies how much rates would increase under Pepco’s proposal and how they have grown in recent years, the novel type of rate proceeding Pepco is seeking along with its implications, and how you can get involved.
PEPCO is proposing a new method for setting its rates based on forecasted costs. The Office of the People's Counsel is asking the PSC to reject PEPCO's request and apply standard ratemaking policies to evaluate PEPCO’s proposal. It is also is evaluating PEPCO’s proposal and will advocate in the rate proceeding to keep residential rates as low as possible while maintaining safe and reliable service.
If you would like to be involved and also ask the PSC to reject PEPCO's proposal, please consider doing one or more of the following three (3) actions:
Stay informed. All public filings in this case are accessible on the PSC’s website. To access the case docket, use the following link and search for Case No. 9820: https://webpscxb.psc.state.md.us/DMS/home.
Submit a written comment. In each rate case, the PSC solicits written comments from impacted customers. Written comments can be submitted at any time before the evidentiary record closes. The following website provides information on how to submit a comment: https://www.psc.state.md.us/make-a-public-comment/.
Attend the public comment hearings. For each rate case, the PSC holds public comment hearings—both virtual and in-person—to allow members of the public to bring their concerns directly to them. The dates for these hearings will be set in the coming months and will be published by the Commission and Pepco. I will send another email alerting you to the hearing date.
Stay warm and informed! Please share with your neighbors.
"The heaviest penalty for deciding not to engage in politics is to be ruled by someone inferior to yourself." Plato
Warm regards,
Tamara Davis Brown
A Name You Know, A Voice You Trust.
Candidate, District 9 County Council
To make a contribution to my campaign, click here: DONATE, or mail checks payable to Tamara Davis Brown for Prince George's County, P.O. Box 1292 Clinton, MD 20735.
By Authority: Tamara Davis Brown for Prince George's County, Barbara D. Waits, Treasurer
Tamara Davis Brown for Prince George's County | P.O. Box 1292 | Clinton, MD 20735 US
