County Council - 2025-11-18

Jonathan Butler confirmed as Director of DHCD. He has facilitated 10 affordable housing projects representing over $500 million investment producing 1,500+ affordable units, with 14 additional projects potentially delivering 2,000 more units.

Repealed the 28-year pit bull ban and replaced it with a strict regulatory framework requiring special permits, microchipping, vaccinations, stricter leash laws, containment rules, and compliance inspections for bully breed dogs. Increased dangerous dog fines up to $3,000 and expanded dangerous dog definitions to include dogs trained to be dangerous regardless of breed.

Limits locations of quick service restaurants with drive-through service by prohibiting such uses in residential zones and requiring special exception approval in certain commercial zones (CS and CGO zones). Includes provision for pickup windows to accommodate establishments like Chipotle.

Amends uses permitted in Commercial General Office (CGO) zone to encourage conversion of existing office buildings into mixed-use development. Requires planned development zoning map amendment for properties over 25 acres and special exception for properties under 25 acres for townhouses and duplexes outside the Beltway.

Creates Prince George's County Animal Welfare Advisory Committee to advise and oversee animal welfare matters, providing a platform for community input on shelter operations and animal welfare improvements.

Establishes enhanced protections for seniors from door-to-door solicitations including criminal background checks, mandatory consumer protection training, increased bond amounts for high-risk industries, senior consumer rights disclosures, and a solicitation protection rapid response force.

Requires Department of Permit and Inspection to provide municipalities with certain documents when county use and occupancy permit applications are made, ensuring municipalities are notified when businesses apply for permits.

Establishes enhanced incentive program to encourage national board certified mathematics, science, and exceptional needs teachers to teach at low-performing schools in Prince George's County.

Stimulates growth of locally owned and operated businesses by reducing fees and charges on such businesses to foster economic growth in Prince George's County.

Establishes employment program for low-income youth and young adults through the calendar year to improve economic outcomes for low-income youth and families.

Amends labor agreement with Prince George's Correctional Officers Association to add provisions increasing shift differential amounts under Article 26 that were omitted from previously approved CB 59.

Declares and transfers appropriations within the general fund to provide for costs not anticipated in the approved FY26 budget.

Establishes critical worker housing assistance program within the Housing Investment Trust Fund providing eligible standards, assistance offerings, and application/approval processes.

Amends provisions of subtitle 10a regarding administrative procedures for contracts, prohibited types of contracts, and economic development relating to procurement.

Establishes homeownership equity program for county residents within the Housing Investment Trust Fund, providing funding, administration, eligibility terms, and loan programs for buyers.

Provides mandated paid sick leave for county employees or family members attending legal proceedings.

Declares parcel of county-owned rural property as surplus no longer needed for county use.

Requires mandatory review by Prince George's County Board of Ethics for any person found in violation of community inclusiveness provisions.

Clarifies county council authority to implement personnel procedures and revises grounds for performance-related disciplinary actions. Section 4 regarding employee incompetence was struck via amendment.

Promulgates rules and regulations governing implementation and administration of common ownership communities program.

Authorizes development of six-month feasibility study to evaluate potential for establishing county-owned and operated grocery store, assessing site selection, financial viability, operational models, and community impact.

Establishes task force to examine methodology, data accuracy, and application of existing response time test and recommend revisions aligned with public safety goals.

Expresses support for motion pictures, visual arts, commercial productions, and creative industries to invest in Prince George's County.

Amends salary plan to add shift differential increases for correctional officers omitted from CR 72.

Establishes domestic violence work group to review, analyze, and strengthen county's domestic violence prevention and response, with one year to develop comprehensive strategic plan.

Approves 11 locations for stop sign monitoring systems in Town of Forest Heights based on traffic studies.

Establishes commission to create and implement plan for civil rights monument honoring historical contributions of county residents to civil rights advancement.

Extends implementation date for universal design for housing law until July 1, 2026.

Approves payment in lieu of taxes agreement for acquisition and rehabilitation of 304-unit affordable rental community at 2428 Corning Avenue, Fort Washington for households earning 70% or below AMI. Total development cost $122,129,472.

Extended temporary appointments for Anthony Jones (Office of Law), Stephanie Bridgeforth (Human Resources Management), Jose (Human Rights), and David Bird (Central Services).

Council member Harrison's amendment to remove special exception approval requirements for certain lot acreages for residential developments in CGO zone outside Capital Beltway was defeated.