Residential Development Project to Face County Planning Board

A development project planned to go up off 47th Avenue will be presented to the Maryland National Capital Park Police and Planning Commission Thursday, Sept. 23, at a county planning meeting.

The project, known now only as the Riverdale Park Project, would have seven residential lots off Taylor Road and 47th Avenue.

Riverdale Park's Mayor and Council, however, have shown some concern about the project because they are worried about storm water management in the area.

The lots are in a flood plain area, and Councilman Chris Henry (Ward 4) said he was concerned that once the project was completed, the issues would emerge.

"We've seen problems like this before," Henry said, "when developers come in, build and then we're left to deal with the issues afterwards."

He wanted to know that developers would be accountable.

Mike Nagy, a lawyer representing the developers, said he would be willing to hear out council and work with them on their concerns. Nagy met with the town's public works director to discuss issues surrounding that land.

Justin Thorton, of the county's planning department, said he would present the plans to the commission Thursday but wanted the imput of council regarding which design draft they would prefer.

The designs vary in the shape of the cul-de-sac , or the dead end at the end of the street. It's between a circular one and a T-shaped or rectangular one.

Council voted for the T-shaped plan, but clarified that their support of that design, does not mean they support the project fully. They have concerns and in a letter to the planning commission have said they will continue to work with developers to deal with concerns and that they would prefer the T-shaped plan over the large circle. 

The meeting will be at County Council Hearing Room in the County Administration Building at 14741 Gov. Oden Bowie Drive in Upper Marlboro.