Approves Legislation Advancing Zoning Ordinance Rewrite; Adopts Council’s Redistricting Plan
The Prince George’s County Council convened in scheduled session on Tuesday, November 16, 2021. The Council session began Tuesday morning with the review of Proposed Correspondence, followed by Resolutions Eligible for Adoption, and concluded Tuesday evening, after 39 public hearings, including a Public Hearing on CR-123-2021, the Council’s Redistricting Plan, were conducted.
The Council approved a legislative package of bills addressing union contracts and employee salary plans, noting the dedication of County employees, especially the hard work of keeping the County Government and County communities moving forward to date, through the global pandemic.
During Tuesday’s session, Council Members adopted CR-131-2021, establishing a collaborative work group to explore a second Public Private Partnership Alternative Financing School Infrastructure Program for public school construction and replacement projects in the County. In 2020, through a joint commitment between Prince George’s County Schools CEO, Dr. Monica Goldson and the County school system, the Board of Education, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, the County Council, and state lawmakers, this historical first of its kind school construction model in Maryland and the nation, began the work of building six new public schools in the County and providing upgraded learning environments for approximately 8,000 students over the next four years.
The Council also unanimously approved several pieces of legislation providing technical and administrative updates to the County’s new Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations, the first update in 50 years. The new Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations were adopted by the Council on October 23, 2018 and require adoption of the Countywide Map Amendment (CMA) to become effective.
Redistricting is a legally-required process based on the principle of “one person – one vote.” Under the County’s Charter, Council District boundaries must be redrawn every ten (10) years to comply with official census data. There are currently nine (9) Council Districts in Prince George’s County. In keeping with the County Charter, the Council heard public testimony on Tuesday, as it considered CR-123-2021, the Council’s Redistricting Plan, and the Redistricting Commission’s Proposed Plan. At the conclusion of the five-hour hearing late Tuesday evening, the Council voted 6-3 to adopt CR-123-2021.
CLICK HERE to view on-demand video of the entire Council Session on Tuesday, November 16, 2021.
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