Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!enterpoop.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.metro From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: PG OKs zoning proposal Date: Wed, 25 Nov 92 16:20:05 EST Message-ID: Lines: 58 \SE B;METROPOLITAN \HD PG OKs zoning proposal \SH Residents call move a 'disaster' \BY Jim Keary \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES The Prince George's County Council yesterday approved mixed-use zoning for an 1,100-acre tract near Bowie, a move that neighbors criticized as a "disaster" that would undermine years of planning for the area. The Rouse Co. has proposed a planned community - which it compares to planned developments like Columbia - on what is now a turf farm fronting Route 50 west of Bowie. The proposed development would include apartments, town houses and single-family homes, commercial and office buildings. Mixed-use zoning allows for development of homes, offices and other commercial buildings on sites of more than 750 acres. The land had been zoned for single-family homes. Council member Jo Ann Bell said the zoning approval is not a green light for Rouse to develop the site as a mixed-use community. The developer will have to come back to the council for approval at each step of the way, she said. "This is a tool. Another zone. It will have to meet all the tests," said Mrs. Bell, who voted for the change. But council Chairman Richard Castaldi opposed the measure, saying the development would clog Route 450 with traffic. "It's a bad tool. There is no increased transportation capacity planned on that road," Mr. Castaldi said. "I don't see why you would want to do that." Residents of the area crowded into the council chambers yesterday carrying signs showing their opposition to the mixed-use zone, which they said will create more congestion on the streets and in the schools. "It's a disaster. I see this as going against everything the people wanted," said Perry Cowgill of the Glenn Dale Citizens Association. "This is a reason we voted against them [the council] and voted in term limitations." Sandy Rink of the Enterprise Citizens Association said the decision will undermine five years of planning for the area west of Bowie. "I'm very disappointed," she said. "This is not what we've been working for in developing a master plan." Also yesterday, the council unanimously approved ethics legislation that bars county officials from taking payments for speaking, attending functions or writing articles in any way related to their county position. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM