Stan Walker on the Marketplace Apartments

Good morning Madam Chairperson and Members of the Board.

My name is Stan Walker, and I live in Bowie. I have lived in Prince George's County for all of my life. My first 24 years in Hyattsville and the last 41 years in Bowie. 

I graduated from University of Maryland with a degree in Civil Engineering and worked for the U.S. Coast Guard for 42 years before retiring in 2013.

I am here to speak in opposition to the Marketplace Apartments. I would like to indicate that:

1) The Bowie City Planning Director, Mr. Joe Meinert submitted his detailed report...recommending against the proposed project for approximately 300 apartments.

2) The Bowie City Planning Board voted unanimously (7-0) AGAINST the proposal (agreeing with the 150-200 Bowie residents speaking against it) 

3) Unfortunately, the Bowie City Council, in a split vote, voted in favor for the proposal. There was approximately 150 Bowie residents in attendance speaking against the proposal. 

First of all, I would like to "complement" the developer of the new Marketplace Shopping Center on its stores. However, the addition of a 3 to 4 story 225 apartment unit building is absolutely detrimental to the property and the surrounding single family homes, and the City of Bowie in general.

The developer's Traffic Study is extremely flawed. It was done before the Shopping Center completed any of the stores. Now that some, but not all, of the stores are operational...the parking lot in front of the stores is almost at full capacity.

Once all of the stores are operational the shoppers will also need to use the parking lot in the rear of the stores. If the apartments are built, the residents will end up parking on the nearby residential streets causing problems.

At the present time, the access to the Shopping Center is extremely congested on Rt. 450 and Superior Lane and the other streets. (Versus the developer's traffic study that was done before shoppers were using the stores)

*Access in and out of the shopping center is not adequate, much less if the apartments are built.

Kids playing in front of the proposed apartments would be extremely dangerous with tractor trailers and trucks making frequent deliveries.

The effect of a high density apartment building adjacent to the single family home neighborhood is extremely detrimental to the property values of those homes.

The propose high density apartment building is also totally incompatible with the single family neighborhood and would adversely affect the character of Bowie and the density of Bowie . 

Tameeka Washington - Marketplace Apartment Excerpts

June 2016: "The residents who signed the petition said they felt like their city representatives did not care about their concerns.”

August 2016: “[The developer's] only concern is his bottom line and not the impact this will have on our beloved neighborhood.

September 2016: "We ask that you tell this developer the same thing council member Gardner told the developers for the Jesuit property; which is Bowie is open for business, but we are not for sale.”

October 2016: “…this mad grab for developer cash from our county council and our city council is ruining our neighborhoods and running good families out of Bowie.”

November 2016: The apartment building is in the middle of a neighborhood, which will then essentially become overflow parking. I don’t know what will happen when we have snowstorms and no one is allowed to park on the street

January 2016: “We will vote you out if we feel that you our representatives are refusing to accurately reflect our wishes. It might then be too late for the Marketplace apartments, but not too late for the other development schemes you have coming down the pike like the Jesuit property.”

Somerset Neighbor Alert - Larry Swank

A large 4-5 story, 300 unit apartment building is being planned to fill the small open space in the back of the Market Place shopping center. This will increase residential units in the S-Section by over 30% with no planned infrastructure upgrades to roads, schools, etc. This project will impact more than the skyline of your neighborhood, it will change forever the makeup of our original section of Levitt Bowie.  

Please join us this Monday and/or Tuesday evening at the Bowie City Hall, 15901 Excalibur Road, Bowie, MD. The developer will be presenting an initial site plan for their recommended use of the property.

Monday (3/7) at 8 PM – Monthly City Council Meeting, in Council Chambers room

The Market Place developer, Berman Enterprises, is on the agenda as the 1st item of New Business. They will be presenting their site plan to the City Council for the first time.  There is limited opportunity for you to comment on the apartment development at this meeting. You can talk for 3 minutes during the Citizen Participation part of the agenda, which will take place before the developer presents their plans during the later New Business section of the meeting.         

Call the City Clerk's Office at 301-809-3029 to sign up if you wish to speak at a Council meeting. The meetings are broadcast live on the city government channel (Comcast Channel 71 and Verizon Channel 10). The meetings are rebroadcast on Wednesday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. and may be viewed from the City of Bowie website.

 Tuesday (3/8) at 7 PM – Informal Stakeholder Meeting, in Council Chambers room

The Market Place developer, Berman Enterprises, will present the site plan to any interested residents that wish to participate. This is an informal meeting requested by the developer to present the site plan and get citizen input on the initial developer plans. You will be able to fully express concerns and ask questions. Members of the Bowie Department of Planning and Economic Development will run the meeting. You will be able to sign up for future “Stakeholder” notices at the meeting or by contacting the Planning and Economic Development staff at 301-262-6200.

If you can only attend one meeting please join us at 7 PM this Tuesday. 

City Council Meeting - March 7, 2016 - Larry Swank

“Citizens were concerned about the traffic generated by the successful new Market Place businesses combined with a large apartment complex - 30 years ago Superior Lane was found inadequate for just planned business upgrades at the Market Place    ”

— Larry Swank

City Council Meeting - March 7, 2016

1. Larry Swank, resident of Scarlet Lane — spoke in opposition to the new apartment complex in Marketplace.

2. Mary Beth Blocker, 12419 Sussex Lane — also spoke in opposition to the residential development at Marketplace

Swank - Tonight the Market Place developer, Berman Enterprises, is on your agenda as the 1st item of New Business to discuss plans for a new apartment complex to fill the open space in the back of the Market Place shopping center. I have talked with many impacted neighbors who are concerned about preserving the neighborhood character our original section of Levitt Bowie. I want to share few of those concerns with the Council before you receive the Berman Enterprises presentation.

I am looking forward to the presentation tonight and wish to thank Berman Enterprises for this overview and the more informal “Stakeholder Meeting” set up for 7 PM tomorrow evening, March 8th, with the Bowie Department of Planning and Economic Development.  I know there will be City public hearings at a later date, but I don’t want the Council to see an initial site plan presentation without getting a flavor of some citizen concerns.

Understand that citizen comments/concerns came from limited knowledge of actual plans and are based on information from the Bowie Blade News other non-developer sources. They are built around an assumption that the developer is planning a large 4-5 story, 300 unit apartment building to fill the open space in the back of the Market Place shopping center.

Citizen Comments/Concerns

(1) Citizens expressed astonishment at the size and density of the proposed apartment complex

(2) The homes near the Market Place average less than 3 dwellings per acre, whereas the planned apartment complex would approach 60 dwellings per acre

(3) The proposed dwellings at the Market Place are comparable to the number of dwellings in Foxhill, or Heather Hills, or Overbrook, or Princeton Square, or Saddlebrook West, or Belair Town

(4) The apartment complex would increase residential units in the S-Section by over one third with no planned infrastructure upgrades to roads, schools, etc.

 (5) Overflow parking would impact access to Acorn Hill Park and residential street parking

(6) Citizens were concerned about the traffic generated by the successful new Market Place businesses combined with a large apartment complex - 30 years ago Superior Lane was found inadequate for just planned the business upgrades at the Market Place    

(7) This project will impact more than the skyline of your neighborhood, it will change forever the makeup of our original section of Levitt Bowie

(8) Citizens expected 2 story townhouses or condominiums – in keeping with the prevailing character the neighborhood. They expected a smooth height transition from Market Place business to our existing single family homes. Even the unique 3 level architecture of lower appearing buildings such as the Willows Senior Community on Enfield Chase Court would match citizen expectations.

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Bowie Marketplace Residential Development — Mr. Brian Berman with Berman Enterprises briefed Council on the status of the commercial development as well as planned concepts for the residential development at Marketplace. The commercial part is scheduled for a grand opening in September of 2016 with Harris Teeter as the anchor store as well as several other restaurants and stores like Petco, Sweet Frogs, and Firehouse Subs.

On the residential side; the design consists of 5 story apartment buildings with a total of 300 high quality units; 20% of those units will be dedicated for seniors and two parking garages. A stakeholders meeting will be held on March 8th, at 7 p. m. in City Hall that will be open to all residents for comments.

Councilmember Polangin asked if all units will be rental or will some be dedicated for ownership. Mr. Berman responded that they will all be rental with no subsidized housing, it will all be market rate.

Councilmember Esteve asked if there is any possibility of the buildings being lower than five stories. Mr. Berman responded that the design and architecture will disguise some of the height.

Councilmember Gardner asked for the status of the Shell station on the corner. Mr. Berman stated that the owners are uninterested in working with them. Councilmember Gardner also asked if the senior portion would be integrated with the other units or be separated. Mr. Berman responded it will be integrated.

Councilmember Trouth asked if there would be any social services for the senior residents. Mr. Berman replied that the units will have amenities for everyone as well as social events.

Councilmember Glass asked if the buildings would be gated or will there be 24-hour security on site. Mr. Berman responded that they have not yet finalized but the buildings will definitely not be gated.

Mayor Robinson thanked Mr. Berman for his presentation  

Notes to the M-NCPPC Prince George's County Planning Board - Larry Swank

Notes to the M-NCPPC Prince George's County Planning Board for inclusion in the record for the meeting of 1/26/17 Conceptional Site Plan, Preliminary Plan #4-16028, and Detailed Site Plan for the proposed residential component of the Marketplace.  

Comments from Laurence C Swank, 12506 Scarlet Lane, Bowie, MD 20715 – 1/9/17

The 2006 Bowie and Vicinity Master Plan envisions a mixed-use activity center which includes the Marketplace. The plan sets forth a policy that “…development of Bowie Main Street not adversely impact the character of the existing residential neighborhood.” A key strategy of the plan is to “…transition in building density and intensity from more intense uses located at the core of Bowie Main Street along MD 450 to less intense uses along the edge, adjacent to residential neighborhoods.” The developer agreed in writing with the city to “… redevelop the Marketplace in accordance with the concepts contained in the Master Plan.” The developer elected to ignore key components of the Plan in development of the commercial component of the Marketplace and plans to do the same for the residential elements.

On 15 November, 2016 the Bowie Planning Department recommended Disapproval of the Conceptional Site Plan, Preliminary Plan #4-16028, and Detailed Site Plan for the proposed residential component of the Marketplace. The Bowie Advisory Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend DENIAL for the residential housing proposal. The Bowie Planning Department findings were well thought out and identified:

1)    Excessive density for both the available space on-site and the proximity to the adjacent residential neighborhood

2)    Excessive vehicle traffic on city streets that do not meet current City and County maximum service volume, and

3)    Excessive scale, mass and bulk of the proposed building being incompatible with both the existing detached residential homes and the new Marketplace retail buildings, which will adversely impact the character of existing neighborhoods

Those findings are attached in the 38-page land use petition, Bowie Advisory Planning Board # 16-02, which can also be found athttp://www.cityofbowie.org/DocumentCenter/View/4754  

In addition to Bowie Planning Department and Bowie Advisory Planning Board opposition to the Berman Enterprises (a.k.a. BE Bowie, LLC) apartment project plans there is significant citizen opposition. A total of 922 bowie residents have signed the attached Petition in Opposition to Market Place (Marketplace) Apartments Complex. If needed I can provide a pdf version of the petition pages. The citizen objections align with Bowie Planning Department staff observations that the building will be entirely out of place in the community and will introduce unacceptable traffic congestion on streets. Traffic volume that exceed Section 26-56 of the City Code for Level of Service “C” Average Daily Trips (ADT). With the addition of Marketplace planned business and residential components the traffic would exceed Level of Service “D” (ADT).

At the Bowie City Council meeting on January 3, 2017, the Council voted to support construction of a downsized 225-unit apartment building at Bowie Marketplace. This approval included conditions of approval outlined under Section VI Summery Recommendations, B Preliminary Plan #4-16028, recommendations 1 thru 2f. Please see page marked 38 at the end of the attached Land Use Petition. The City Council also set limits on building height to limit the structure to 3 levels near the adjacent residential neighborhood and no more than 4 levels high near the commercial buildings on-site.   

Request M-NCPPC staff examine the attached documents for supporting further reductions in building size beyond the 225-unit limit imposed by the Bowie City Council. Citizen and Bowie Planning Staff recommendations include the following design changes:

1)    Establishing a limit of 100 units, or 5 dwellings per acre on the 20-acre site that would:

a.     follow Bowie Planning department recommendations to stay in line with other development projects in Bowie (see page marked 13 of the Land Use Petition),

b.     conform with the 2006 Bowie and Vicinity Master Plan guidance to transition in building density and intensity from more intense uses located at the core of Bowie Main Street along MD 450 to less intense uses along the edge, adjacent to residential neighborhoods, and

c.     help reduce additional traffic on adjacent streets that are already over maximum level of service limits.

2)    Require a reduction in the scale, mass and bulk of the proposed building to make it compatible with both the existing detached residential homes and the new Marketplace retail buildings. See Section V Required Findings and Analysis, D, 10, (e) & (f) on pages marked 35 and 36 of the Land Use Petition.

3)    Eliminate apartment balconies facing adjacent residential homes.

4)    Reduce the footprint of the planned apartment building to one that would:

a.     Allow for both (1) a promised tall vegetation buffer between the apartment and the adjacent residential homes and (2) an access path that would accommodate emergency vehicle access to the south side of the apartment complex.

b.     Ensure adequate parking for all residents and guests of the apartment development to ensure that parking will not overflow unto adjacent park and residential streets – no exceptions to county guidelines on required parking spaces for apartment units

c.     Provide adequate space for service vehicles and customer parking for the businesses alongside the apartment building; e.g. Chaney Automotive, Harris Teeter, etc.

Please call with any questions.

Larry Swank – 301.892.0855

Bowie Marketplace Testimony - 3 Jan 17 - Fiona Moodie

“Keep Bowie a COMMUNITY, where people stay for a lifetime, not a 12 month lease.”

— Fiona Moodie

Marketplace Testimony 3/Jan/2017

Bowie is my home, this is an emotional issue for me because I have lived here all my life - 25 years.

When I think of Bowie, I know it as an established, multi-generation community where young couples move to raise their children - attracted by the quiet, established neighborhoods - and end up staying for a lifetime.

The area surrounding Marketplace is referred to as "Bowie Main Street" - the area through which we welcome visitors and residents to the haven that we call home - Bowie, Maryland.

This proposed development of 288 apartments will destroy the integrity of our community - permanently.

Residents in the surrounding area will be subject to their new apartment neighbors looking out from balconies, into their back yards, watching their children play. At night, the lights from the parking lot, balconies and apartments will disturb sleep - causing many homeowners to already purchase blackout curtains.

Bowie has already seen an increase in traffic, with the opening of Harris Teeter, making the area difficult to navigate during after-work hours. Adding these apartments will only lead to more congestion, frustration and accidents.

Property values will decrease, senior citizens relying on the equity of their homes to support them through retirement and young couples with newly purchased homes will see their property values plummet - shackling them financially. I have heard multiple times, that these apartments will lease for 3,000 dollars a month. I do not believe this to be true.

A cape-cod home, on Savoy, in Bowie, about a mile from the development - has been for lease for two months. The owners cannot find new tenants for a 1,700 sqft, four bedrooms 2 baths home for $2,100/ month. Simply put, these 2-3 bedroom apartments will not lease for 3k a month, this city cannot sustain that price point.

Property values of the current residents, will absolutely suffer, irreparably destroying homeowners finances. The increase in supply leads to a decrease in price - this is Economics 101.

For the aforementioned reasons I encourage you to vote against the proposed apartments.

We have one chance here to either maintain or destroy the unique character of Bowie.

Marketplace is NOT an appropriate location for apartments in Bowie. The heart of Bowie is single family housing in a beautiful, wooded community. We cannot do this to Bowie residents. We must protect the integrity of our community. Keep Bowie a COMMUNITY, where people stay for a lifetime, not a 12 month lease.

City Council Meeting 1-3-17 - Larry Swank

City Council Meeting 1-3-17

I am Larry Swank, a 40-year resident of Scarlet Lane and back-fence neighbor with the Marketplace

I talked with you on the night the Council received the 1st Berman Enterprises presentation on the Marketplace development effort. I mentioned:

(1) citizen expressions of astonishment at the size and density of the proposed apartment complex,

(2) the fact that the apartment complex would increase residential units in the S-Section by over a third with no road improvements possible for our overcrowded streets, and

(3) the fact that this project will impact more than the skyline of your neighborhood, it will change forever the low-density makeup of Levitt Bowie north of Rt. 50.

The Bowie citizens I talked with presumed a residential component at the Marketplace. However, they foresaw one with townhouses or condominiums in keeping with the prevailing character the neighborhood.

The Burman presentation tonight is much like that first presentation to the Council. They want to maximize the number of residential units with no concern for: dumping more traffic on our overcrowded streets; departing from the Bowie Master Plan (Bowie Main Street); or, meeting a written agreement with the city that the Marketplace development would not adversely impact the character of existing neighborhoods.

It has been stated that a large residential component at the Marketplace is critical to attracting business tenants and filling the commercial space at the center. The fear is that the Marketplace cannot reach its full potential, including tax revenue to the city, without this huge residential component.     

In fact, the Marketplace is already located in the center of 23,400 potential customers, age 19-75. They live in the 8545 residences stretching from Rt. 50 to Rustic Hill Drive, along and east of Rt. 197. The 600 or so tenants the developer plans to add on the Marketplace site would increase his potential customer base by a mere 2.56% (two and a half %). This small increase in potential customers would hardly be the determining factor in attracting new business tenants.  However, adding an over-sized apartment complex would surly anger most of the 23,400 impacted citizens who are the true target customer base.       

I recommend, of course, that the Council support the citizens of Bowie, the Planning Department, and the Public Works Department in rejecting the proposals before you this evening.

However, I could envision a right-sized residential component of the Marketplace: a plan in line with low density construction called for in our Master Plans; one that matched the character of existing neighborhoods; and, one that would keep additional traffic to an absolute minimum. The developer should be given an upper limit of units that is in keeping with Planning Department guidelines. Citizens should be given the opportunity to comment on all future residential component plans.

Thank you for time and your service to the citizens of Bowie

January 3rd - City Council Approves Marketplace Apartments

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AGENDA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - 8 p.m.
AMENDED, JANUARY 3, 2017 4:30 P.M.

I.

CALL MEETING TO ORDER

II.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III.

QUORUM

IV.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS/AMENDMENTS

V.

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

VI.

PRESENTATIONS

VII.

CITY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

VIII.

COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS

IX.

CITY MANAGER'S REPORT

X.

CONSENT AGENDA

A.

Approval of December 5 Meeting MinutesDocuments:

1. 20170103 - DECEMBER 5 MEETING MINUTES.PDF

B.

Approval of Resolution R-1-17

Supporting the Prince George’s County Municipal Collaboration FY 2017 MEA Empower LMI Communities Grant Application and DHCD Sustainable Communities Community Legacy Grant Applications

Documents:

1. 20170103 - RESOLUTION R-1-17.PDF

C.

Approval of Resolution R-2-17

Approving Departure BD-3-16, a Request by BE Harmony, LLC for Departures From the Prince George’s County Zoning Ordinance, Section 27-618(a)(1)(A)(i) to Allow a Temporary Real Estate Advertising Sign With an Area of 200 Sq. Ft. and From Section 27-618(c)(1)(C) to Allow Five Permanent Real Estate Identification Signs be Placed at 14909 Health Center Drive, Bowie, Maryland

Documents:

1. 20170103 - RESOLUTION R-2-17.PDF

D.

Approval of Resolution R-3-17

Approving a Contract With Constellation New Energy – Gas Division, LLC to Purchase Natural Gas for the City of Bowie Through the Baltimore Regional Cooperative Purchasing Committee

Documents:

1. 20170103 - RESOLUTION R-3-17.PDF

E.

Approval of Consent Agreement re: U.S. EPA Violation FindingsDocuments:

1. 20170103 - EPA VIOLATION FINDINGS.PDF

XI.

OLD BUSINESS

XII.

NEW BUSINESS

A.

Bowie Marketplace Residential Proposal

BE Bowie, LLC is proposing a Conceptual Site Plan, Preliminary Plan of subdivision and Detailed Site Plan for 288 multi-family apartments in a 4-5-story building including a 475-space parking garage. The property is located on the west side of Superior Lane, approximately 700 feet south of MD 450, and is zoned C-S-C (Commercial Shopping Center) – Public Hearing/Eligible for Action

Documents:

1. 20170103 - MARKETPLACE RESIDENTIAL.PDF

XIII.

ADJOURNMENT AND MOVE TO CLOSE SESSION

Statutory Authority to Close Session, General Provisions Article §3-305(b)(1): To discuss the appointment, employment, assingment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; or any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals; and §3-305(b)(7): To consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter.
 

XIV.

NOTE

The Ethics Commission has advised that under certain circumstances, members of the public may qualify as lobbyists when they testify before the City Council. If so, the Bowie Ethics Ordinance requires that certain information be filed with the Ethics Commission. Please review the information about lobbying that is provided with the City Clerk. If you have any questions about lobbying, please contact the Ethics Commission or the Assistant City Manager.

This meeting will be televised live on Verizon Channel 10 and Comcast Channel 71 and 996, repeated on January 4, 2017 and January 7, 2017 at 7 p.m., and web-streamed live

NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOWIE CITY COUNCIL - TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017 - COUNCIL CHAMBERS - 8 p.m.

Important Neighborhood Alert - Flyer

Important Neighborhood Alert

The Bowie City Council holds the final public hearing for the Marketplace Apartments project this Tuesday, January 3rd at 7:00 PM. The meeting will be in the Council Chambers Room in Bowie City Hall at 15901 Excalibur Road. Please help us stop this oversized, ill-conceived development.

If you wish to speak at this key hearing just come early and sign in, email mbaird@cityofbowie.org, or call the Department of Planning & Economic Development office at 301-809-3047 to be added to the speakers list. Time is limited to 3 minutes per speaker. You do not need to speak to make an impact. Your attendance alone will be a great help to our effort. If you attend the meeting you will get an overview of the developer’s current plans for a 4 and 5 story, multi-family unit apartment building of almost 300 units on the small open area at the back of the updated Marketplace Shopping Center.

The developer is set on maximizing profits, which he should as a good business man. So, he shows little concern about: dumping more traffic on our overcrowded streets; departing at will from the 2006 Bowie Master Plan (Bowie Main Street); or meeting a written agreement with the city that Marketplace development will not adversely impact the character of existing neighborhoods. 

Local

Postal Customer

The 2006 Bowie and Vicinity Master Plan envisions a mixed-use activity center which includes the Marketplace. The plan paints an attractive picture with active commercial and residential components. It also sets forth a policy that “…development of Bowie Main Street not adversely impact the character of the existing residential neighborhood.” A key strategy of the plan is to “…transition in building density and intensity from more intense uses located at the core of Bowie Main Street along MD 450 to less intense uses along the edge, adjacent to residential neighborhoods. Well they had 10 years to get it right, they got it wrong, and the developer plans to make it worse. 

We only have one or two chances in a century to impact real change on a site like the Marketplace.  So far we have lost out on the appealing Bowie Main Street vision of an upscale destination with “unique character and sense of place.” 

The developer agreed in writing with the city to “… redevelop the Marketplace in accordance with … concepts contained in the Master Plan.” The developer elected to ignore key components of the Plan in development of the commercial component of the Marketplace and plans to do the same for the residential elements.

The Bowie Planning Department will come to the City Council with recommendations to disapprove the Conceptional Site Plan, Preliminary Plan, and Detailed Site Plan for the proposed residential component of the Marketplace. It is well thought out and comes up with correct decisions involving:

1)    Excessive density for both the available space on-site and the proximity to the adjacent residential neighborhood

2)    Excessive vehicle traffic on city streets that do not meet current City and County maximum service volume, and

3)    Excessive scale, mass and bulk of the proposed building being incompatible with both the existing detached residential homes and the new Market Place retail buildings, which will adversely impact the character of existing neighborhoods

You can provide the crucial citizens input needed to stop this unacceptable development – please support your City Planning Department and your neighbors – Thank you! 

Our Facebook page is located at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/615073421999497

The City webpage is at:

https://www.cityofbowie.org/2228/Bowie-Marketplace

Advisory Planning Board Meeting – 11/15/2016 - Larry Swank

“WE HAD 10 YEARS TO GET IT RIGHT - WE GOT IT WRONG - AND Berman Enterprises PLANS TO MAKE IT WORSE”

— Larry Swank

Advisory Planning Board Meeting – 11/15/2016

I am Larry Swank, a 40-year resident on Scarlet Lane, which is on the southwest boarder of the city-planned Bowie Main Street. I have talked with many impacted neighbors who are concerned about preserving the character our original section of Levitt Bowie.

The 2006 Bowie and Vicinity Master Plan envisions a mixed-use activity center which includes the Marketplace. The plan paints an attractive picture with active commercial and residential components. It also sets forth a policy that “…development of Bowie Main Street not adversely impact the character of the existing residential neighborhood.” A key strategy of the plan is to “…transition in building density and intensity from more intense uses located at the core of Bowie Main Street along MD 450 to less intense uses along the “edge”, adjacent to residential neighborhoods. Well …

WE HAD 10 YEARS TO GET IT RIGHT - WE GOT IT WRONG - AND BermaN Enterprises PLANS TO MAKE IT WORSE

We only have one or two chances in a century to impact real change on a site like the Marketplace.  We have lost out on the appealing Bowie Main Street vision of an upscale destination with “unique character and sense of place.”  In my opinion, we now have just another nice suburban strip mall. I believe this misfortune was the result of not involving the community early in the project planning.

The developer agreed in writing with the city to “… redevelop the Marketplace in accordance with … concepts contained in the Master Plan.” The developer has elected to ignore key components of Plan, and other guiding documents, in development of the commercial component of the Marketplace.

The Planning Department now comes to you with recommendations to disapprove the Conceptional Site Plan, Preliminary Plan, and Detailed Site Plan for the proposed residential component of the Marketplace. It is well thought out and come up with correct decisions involving:

1)    Excessive density for both the available space on-site and the proximity to the adjacent residential neighborhood (about 5 dwelling units per acre may be approvable – not the proposed 57 units per acre)

2)    Excessive vehicle traffic on city streets that do not meet current City and County maximum service volume, and

3)    Excessive scale, mass and bulk of the proposed building being incompatible with both the existing detached residential homes and the new Market Place retail buildings, which will adversely impact the character of existing neighborhood

I recommend disapproval of all plans; however, If the Preliminary Plan application is approved by either the Advisory Planning Board or the City Council I am requesting that the following condition be added to ensure compliance with City/County policies, strategies and citizen input at any future DSP review:

·      Add to page 38, Section VI, B, 2, an item (g) that reads – (g) Provide a plan that conforms to all the Zoning Ordinance site design guidelines.

This would ensure that policies from PG Zoning Ordinances such as:

o   limiting trash collection hours, noise levels from music, and a ban outdoor dining and other outdoor activity within 200 feet of a detached dwelling

o    exterior lighting guidelines, which are being violated by the current Marketplace configuration, and a

o   ban on balconies for units overlooking adjacent single family residences