Greetings South County (District 9) Neighbors, Here's the latest development update, starting with some new communities:
Canter Creek (Upper Marlboro) - SDP-1202-029 and SDP-1202-H4 (Update)
The is single-family estate home community is facing 2 townhouse developments near the front and back of the property which was supposed to be preserved for woodland conservation, but was somehow re-zoned for this high density. The problem here the sites are near Joshua Turner Historic Preservation site. This land serves as both a documented slave cemetery and a protected habitat for bald eagles.
The HOA leaders recently met with the developer, The Walton Group (same group that built Westphalia), and I was present for the meeting. It was clear that the developer wanted the community to accept the townhouses as fait accompli but neighbors pushed back and said townhomes are unacceptable. The developer's team agreed that townhomes in the interior of the community is unacceptable, but still wanted to place them at the community's entry way. A suggestion made was to build a 55+-housing stock for seniors who may not want large lot sizes or stairs.
What can you do? Register as a Person of Record for both pending application so you can be informed of any action on the applications. Here's the link to register as a person of record, using SDP 12012-029 and SDP 1202-H4: Person of Record.
Dyson Commercial Center (Brandywine - Route 301 at 8935 Dyson Rd) - 4-24017 and SPE-2024- 004 (No New Update)
Back in February, someone from the District V Coffee Club asked me about this project. Honestly, I was unaware of this proposed commercial center. I did see a MNCPPC sign on the property, but it appeared that the hearing had already passed. I did some research and learned there is a proposed commercial center is seeking tenants already even though there appears to be some development applications still pending.
This site is at the corner of 301 and Dyson Road where Clariaxel Tire Shop is located. According to realty company's website (click here: Dyson Commercial Center), the developer wants to construct a commercial strip center that features a grocery store, retail shops and a gas station. Use the same person of record link above to get application information for 4-24017 and Special Exception 2024-004.
However, the former Twyman Farm which is about a mile from the tire shop remains a mystery. There is no application pending application on Planning Board's website. I will keep investigating.
Grandhaven (Marlton) - PPS-2024-0015 (No New Update)
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 (driveways) onto a collector road because they impede traffic.
The developer recognized this and actually wanted to vacate the collector status of these roads. 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 Blvd 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. I filed comments asking that Grandhaven maintain its status as a collector road.
Hope Village Phase 2 - Upper Marlboro (off MD 223 - Woodyard Rd near Route 4) (No New Update)
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 to build. I'll keep you posted.
Meridian Hill/Melwood Estates- (off MD 223 Woodyard Rd behind Perrywood) SE-23003 (Update)
This project is to re-zone property currently zoned as agricultural residential and the developer wants to build 75 attached villas. It's located behind the Perrywood HOA subdivision with access through that community. However, there are wetlands there and wild turkeys.
I received the Zoning Examiner's decision that approved the project with several conditions. It's long and double-sided. If you would like a copy, please email me privately.
Morton Farms (across from the Accokeek Post Office) - PPS- 4-22067 (No New Update)
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 and eventually held last month. The project was approved with the following conditions:
Parcel E was removed from development to be conveyed to the HOA as open space!
Parcel B will be conveyed to the Piscataway Indian Nation LLC!!
Curate all artifacts found on the site to the MD Archaeological Conservation Lab in St. Leonard, MD.
Develop a plan to avoid disturbance and preservation of any remaining below ground archeological features.
Allow for 10-foot-wide public utility easement and a 40-dedicated right-of-way along Livingston Road as well as a 40-foot-wide scenic easement along Livingston Road (for aesthetics).
A 10-foot-wide shared use path connecting Accokeek Park to Teresa Drive at the southern portion of the proposed development.
While there is a tree conservation plan requirement, it does not require an easement to be placed on the deed for such plan, a very important requirement, which is the problem that the Signature Club East in Accokeek (formerly proposed apartments) is dealing with now. This must be a deeded requirement to prevent the developer from returning years later and want to develop that conserved area.
The Grove at Hyde Landing (former Al Pacha property behind Hyde Field - ZMA-2024-004 (No New Update)
The zoning hearing before the Planning Board for this application ZMA-2024-004 was approved. The hearing before the zoning hearing examiner was held in late March and we are waiting to receive her ruling.
Dobson Farm - McKendree Road in Brandywine down from Wawa AND
Saddle Ridge- Floral Park/Accokeek Roads in Brandywine - PPS-4-24013 (No New Update)
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 at the appellate level.
Hyde Landing (former airport across from Miller's Farm) PRE-APP-2025-0001(No New Update)
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 (No New Update)
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 has been accepted by the MNCPPC planning staff and a recent stakeholder meeting provided greater details on the project so please do register as a person of record to stay informed. Use this link: Person of Record.
Signature Club East Apartments - Signature Club - Manokeek (No New Update)
One new update, in addition to the contract purchaser of the property, WP East Acquisitions, LLC (the wholly-owned subsidiary to a nationwide apartment builder), terminating its contract, the landowner now has abandoned the apartments as well (YEAH!!).
They now want to build townhouses on the property instead. Here's the issue, the property was placed in the tree conservation area by the state and the landowner received state credit for doing so. However, the landowner never placed the property in easement and wants to renege on its tree conservatory plan (BOO!!)
The Accokeek neighbors are still considering and pursuing all legal options. They also have a petition for Accokeek residents to unite and legal defense fund. Ongoing communications between the attorneys is still occurring. 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 (Update)
The application for a Conceptual Design Plan was filed, but the number of units was reduced down to 24-29 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. The developer team will be updating the HOA tomorrow, May 5th.
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.
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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.
Please stay informed and engaged! Please share with your District 9 neighbors. Pardon any typos - I'm still tired.
"The heaviest penalty for deciding not to engage in politics is to be ruled by someone inferior to yourself." Plato
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Why Vote for and support TAMARA?
Did you know that 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 as the County Council?
Who is more 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 of land use and zoning and gets the results and collaborative victories for our communities.
I am asking for your vote during the Democratic Primary on June 23, 2026 or during Early Voting from June 11-18th. I am also asking for 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 my candidacy, my platform and how to get involved through donating and volunteering.
Yours in Service,
Tamara Davis Brown
A Name You Know, A Voice You Trust.
Candidate, Prince George's County Council, District 9
Democratic Primary is June 23rd with Early Voting June 11-18, 2026.
To learn more about my candidacy, visit my website. Click www.tamaradavisbrown.org
Use this button to make a campaign DONATE.
All Politics is Local Podcast (To listen, click here: APIL)
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
