Olson Pitches Amendments for Two County Zoning Bills

Developers and municipalities wanting to extend and Transit District Overlay zones could face District Council if residents appeal the decision.

has presented two pieces of legislation to County Council that would change the process for developers when building extensions on already existing transit and mixed use zones.

The (TDOZ) plans are set up specifically for areas around metro stations, Olson said, and there’s a public process when those boundaries are set up with public participation — he’d like to see the same situation take place when expansions are proposed.

Transportation requirements vary within plans, such as with adequate public facilities,” he said. “So my bill says if you add five acres or more to a TDOZ you have to have all the analysis for transportation… as you would have to have anyway on any parcel.”

Similarly, Olson said with the MUTC zone, although it is a very good zone, it caters to older, established town centers.

He said when the MUTC zone was created, the legislators were not envisioning adding acres of property to it.

“I’m in full support of the current MUTC zones giving the local community more autonomy in those established downtowns.” Olson said. However, he said when there’s talk of expanding beyond the town center, he doesn’t think District Council should be cut out of the conversation.

Although the legislation is not directly targeted at any one development, Olson said this legislation would have some affect on the proposed development on the in Riverdale Park, if it passes. The developers behind Cafritz are asking to expand both the TDOZ and are becoming a part of Riverdale Park’s MUTC zone.

Riverdale Park Councilman Jonathan Ebbeler, who also is on the town’s MUTC board, said that the original MUTC zoning did envision expansions along the Route 1 Corridor from Madison Street to Tuckerman Street.

“We are happy to avail ourselves of county council staff input and oversight assuming it does not impinge upon Riverdale Park’s ability to decide its sovereign planning issues, Ebbeler wrote in an e-mail to Patch.

He believes this legislation directly relates to the Cafritz property development, but notes that Riverdale Park has led the conversation with the developers.

“We are encouraged that our neighboring municipal partners have recently agreed with the leadership and direction we have taken with this project including a zero-impact stormwater management solution and alternative traffic solutions including a ,” he wrote in an e-mail to Patch.

Riverdale Park Councilman Alan Thompson says he doesn't have any concerns about the legislation and believes it's acceptable. However, he does have concerns about how developers may view the move.

"I do worry that the extra level of appeal introduced by his legislation might make MUTC zoning less appealing to developers," Thompson wrote in an e-mail to Patch. "If it discourages developers, it's harder to bring high-quality mixed-use development to the county, and in particular to established communities like Riverdale Park. I understand, however, why the District Council might want this sort of oversight for large developments."

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University Park Councilman Len Carey and Councilwoman Tracey Toscano are both in support of Olson’s legislation.

“District Council does an excellent job of mediating common interests,” Carey said, noting that District Council will consider all views, not just of the developer or municipality involved.

“I hope this will apply in the zoning for Cafritz,” he added.

Although he doesn’t believe the legislation will have negative affects on development in the county, he said it could slow the expansion of town centers.

Olson said that the two amendments would be discussed in committee before appearing again in front of county council for an introduction and vote.

Residents with opinions on the amendments can either voice their concerns during the scheduled public hearing or can submit their opinion to Olson’s office.