College Park Council Votes on Bag Fee, East Campus Funds, and More

The College Park City Council voted on several action items at its Tuesday evening meeting, including a decision to support pending county legislation that would instate a disposable bag fee. See a roundup below.

East Campus Funds

The council voted to approve the release of $3.3 million in state funds from a 2010 appropriation for the East Campus project. This portion of the funds is intended to clear the East Campus site for redevelopment and, possibly, for infrastructure improvements, according to a letter from the University of Maryland office of administrative affairs to the city. Carlo Colella of facilities management at UMd. said he was unsure of when a detailed site plan would be available. Councilwoman Stephanie Stullich (Dist. 3) asked if a music venue is still being considered for the site; Colella said it is.

Disposable Bags

The council voted unanimously in support of the county imposing a fee—likely 5 cents—on the use of disposable bags at stores. A handful of residents who recycle disposable bags testified on the issue, concerned because they don’t want to be punished for those who don’t recycle. Stullich said she recycles bags as well and initially had the same reaction, but decided the price was worth paying for the environmental benefits.

Land Use Bill

The council unanimously approved support for a bill that would grant municipalities of 20,000 people or more the authority to exercise the powers of the Prince George's County Planning Board, the zoning hearing examiner for the county, or the County Council sitting as District Council. The bill will allow the municipality to make land use decisions relating to any land within the city using the existing zoning code.

Campaign Spending

Council decided unanimously to urge state legislatures to push for a constitutional amendment that would reverse a 2010 Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. As a result of the case, government can’t prevent corporations or unions from spending money to support or denounce individual candidates in elections. The motion was put forth by City Councilman Patrick Wojahn (Dist. 1), who shared a . Some residents spoke in favor of the motion.

Grocery Store Alcohol License

Legislatures have put forth a bill that would allow a future grocery store in Bowie to obtain a license to sell beer and wine. College Park City Council voted 5-2-1 to request an amendment to a bill to include our city, in hopes to also attract an up-scale grocery store. But the Bowie mayor has said he’s not interested in amending it. .

Same-Sex Marriage

The College Park Mayor and Council will send a letter to Maryland state legislators, expressing the city’s support for a bill that would allow same-sex couples in Maryland to be married. .