Cafritz Team Withdraws Preliminary Plan

After receiving a strongly worded letter from the American Center for Physics (ACP), Calvert Tract, LLC has decided to temporarily withdraw its preliminary plan of subdivision (PPS) from consideration by the Prince George's County Planning Board.

“We were working very diligently to try to get a letter from the American Center for Physics before the hearing date consistent with one of the conditions of approval. Unfortunately we will not be receiving that letter from ACP before the [Jan. 17] hearing date," said Chris Hatcher on behalf of Calvert Tract, LLC, the owners of the Cafritz property.   

At last week's meeting, the Riverdale Park Town Council raised several concerns about the plan, the placement and funding of the bridge among them. And in a recent report on the PPS, staff for the planning board recommended disapproval of the plan because it failed to meet several conditions, including placement and funding of the CSX crossing. 

“In light of all those facts and our commitment to keeping our word, we have decided to withdraw our application," Hatcher said. 

Below is a copy of the ACP letter, dated Jan. 15 and sent to the towns of Riverdale Park, University Park, and College Park. Copies were also sent to the developer's legal counsel: 

Dear Mayor Tabori, Mayor Fellows, and Mayor Archer,

The American Center for Physics (ACP) has just begun a detailed study of the possible impact of the CSX crossing that has been proposed by the Cafritz project to cross our property. The results of this investigation will take several months or longer. Until our independent analysis is complete, the ACP Board will not make a decision on this issue.

The ACP Board is angry that a letter was provided at the Monday, January 14th, meeting of the University Park Town Council, which erroneously appeared to present ACP’s support for having a roadway across our property. That letter was never reviewed or authorized by the ACP Board.

Thank you for your attention to these matters.

Sincerely yours,

Beth A. Cunningham

President, American Center for Physics

CC: Richard “Chip” Reed, Thomas Haller

The developer will be sending an official letter to the towns and to the Planning Board confirming the withdrawal of their PPS on Wednesday, said Hatcher.

Council member Jonathan Ebbeler (Ward 1) suggested that if the town does not receive the letter in a timely manne,r the council should reconvene in a special session to address the matter. Mayor Vernon Archer and the other council members present agreed. 

Asked when Calvert Tract, LLC planned to resubmit its prelminary plan, Hatcher declined to comment.