[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6600492,"mediaKeyId","3042956-aa85d8f45797e7f9bc7049eafe27c23d","parentId",3042956,"title","Prince George’s Council committee holds bills to create zoning category for opioid treatment centers after debate over access and safeguards","audioSeconds",3700,"startMs",60000,"endMs",3760000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3042956-aa85d8f45797e7f9bc7049eafe27c23d&start=60&end=3760","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3042956-aa85d8f45797e7f9bc7049eafe27c23d/thumbnail_60000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6600492/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/Prince-Georges-Council-committee-holds-bills-to-create-zoning-category-for-opioid-treatment-centers-after-debate-over-access-and-safeguards","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600492-78169f618f91da239114f26b4aabbaf4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431229&Signature=LnGIh75ap9wR4eiLlnW0WcOP294xDIJbg2t9Wn9D1RpcsvXpvAG0pQKMD6v1evHRUvw5cuYYwWlQ9NN9VkXD5JdF1vx2RaUMwncvv7uULw77JA3YVpIwI-rvBgkWBbSTz~FXdw1NmDXJo-poTO-v2E62sWeODvHvGNS6ukPogC~y~44~Ca9i0jve~K554hZaSdan6bVn9VuQOPDgHRpS~Lmyvupx24SjmXHxT8F3PzCQYebCs5XowKRZ~c89a0b5OGcz7gfT3zqcx8qcIREkfp38pIUW3HVZRt5ISH37mu0C~FxOQD7Npy-aZfnMtxkJAWI7CPx8i8TAUiBaZ44e0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Prince George","date","2025-04-17T00:00:00Z","article","The Planning, Housing & Economic Development Committee on April 17 held two measures — CB 27-2025 and CR 43-2025 — that would create a new principal-use category for opioid treatment centers and allow applicants to begin permit review under new standards.

Supporters and county staff said the zoning change responds to a large treatment shortfall in Prince George’s County. Anya Makarova, senior adviser to the Prince George’s County Board of Health, told the committee, \"Prince George's County continuously ranks number 3 for opioid related deaths after Baltimore City and Baltimore County,\" and said a University of Maryland School of Medicine needs assessment estimated about \"4,800 Prince Georgians over the age of 15 are in need of opioid treatment.\" Makarova said the county currently has only one licensed opioid treatment facility.

The bills would formally define opioid treatment centers — including language that they be \"by appointment only\" — and authorize the use in a set of commercial and office-type zones. Staff told the committee the draft shortens a prior 1,000-foot special-exception locational buffer to a 500-foot distance from residential zones and planned residential sites. Planning staff also revised off-street parking requirements to match levels for medical offices and removed certain vehicle-access adequacy and additional health-and-safety requirements that technical staff said are not typically set by zoning.

Proponents described modern opioid treatment as outpatient medical care. Yuri Guzman, representing an ownership group called Avenue to Health, said current programs \"function closer to medical offices than to methadone centers,\" that services are \"by appointment\" and that centers \"are very highly regulated both by the state and the federal government.\" Guzman said the special-exception process can make it functionally impossible for a new operator to open because an applicant must secure a lease and spend a year or more seeking approvals before applying for a required state license.

Planning Director Lakeisha Hall told the committee her office had not completed detailed analysis of how many parcels in each zone would be affected and therefore had no formal position. David Warner, principal counsel for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and the zoning hearing examiner urged technical clarifications: the examiner suggested adding language to the resolution to prevent permits being issued before the ordinance’s effective date, and Warner explained that the industrial (IE) zone generally contains warehouse and distribution uses and is not where medical office uses typically locate.

Several council members asked for more mapping and legal review before the bills proceed. Council Member Harrison and others urged a targeted study or mapping exercise to show which parcels would be eligible under a 500-foot buffer, asked whether the county would face legal exposure for treating opioid facilities differently than methadone clinics, and requested comparisons to how nearby jurisdictions regulate such facilities. Health staff emphasized the public-health justification for action but said they did not have capacity to complete an in-depth land-use study themselves.

Chair DeNoga moved to hold CB 27-2025; the motion passed on a 3-0 roll call. Chair DeNoga then moved to hold CR 43-2025; that motion also passed 3-0. Committee members said they expect staff to provide a map of zones that would be acceptable under the current draft, a summary of how peer jurisdictions regulate opioid treatment centers, and suggested limited drafting edits (for example, the examiner’s proposed \"no permit before effective date\" language) before the bills return to committee.

The committee’s action was procedural: both measures were held for further work rather than advanced. Committee members and staff also discussed implementation risks, including potential legal challenges and the practical limits of a by‑right approach in areas dense with residential zones.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to hold CB 27-2025 (ordinance creating opioid treatment center use): mover Chair DeNoga; roll-call: Chair DeNoga — Aye; Council Member Harrison — Aye; Council Member Hawkins — Aye. Outcome: motion to hold carried (3-0).

- Motion to hold CR 43-2025 (resolution enabling applicants to apply under proposed standards): mover Council Member (motion seconded by Harrison); roll-call: Chair DeNoga — Aye; Council Member Harrison — Aye; Council Member Hawkins — Aye. Outcome: motion to hold carried (3-0).

The committee requested follow-up materials, including a map of parcels that would be permissible under the draft rules, comparative zoning language from other Maryland jurisdictions, and review of potential legal exposure. The bills will return to a future PHED meeting after those materials are prepared.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Prince George - Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee - Budget Work-session: Housing & Community Development, Housing Authority, Experience Prince George’s - Apr 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Planning, Housing & Economic Development Committee on April 17 held two measures — CB 27-2025 and CR 43-2025 — that would create a new principal-use category for opioid treatment centers and allow applicants to begin permit review under new standards.","taxTitle","Prince George's County, Maryland","taxId",3378,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6600478,"Experience Prince George’s reports flatting FY26 grant; agency highlights tourism work, WorldPride outreach and funding squeeze",1927,6559000,8486000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3042956-aa85d8f45797e7f9bc7049eafe27c23d&start=6559&end=8486","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3042956-aa85d8f45797e7f9bc7049eafe27c23d/thumbnail_6559000.jpg","/articles/6600478/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/Experience-Prince-Georges-reports-flatting-FY26-grant-agency-highlights-tourism-work-WorldPride-outreach-and-funding-squeeze","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600478-8ee6b779f3802899ed83255db3bbd507/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431229&Signature=bzsYsoBTLAMqrrpMuIhc4HTfj7VTSz7bOSfwzUDGA5YA529ZUGi1DLyrUIHDjCWplLcO7o0f1iD5dGEaarpZdYzTyBkBeWPca5RRK997m9MZNpBm0UmVSm3gQ-CiM2jdKo7hyoVdbTp8UeimJgmttu2MNQuR1vcCt7pOJxxNRj1KOZeFHNTLrl4Hqk4REG-f8Z21NpwYeyzcdT6Fbn3EnWc74r9HHskS-41eq5GaU5OGBQmP67ms2tLd9QevS4U58odhO7ar5AZuYc4B5CLJJdiiOD8rRLkVMh9oM3krlDQpAns7Uoq-s-izlFfSERrSEiEUVi~skTSx~T0O9nOBeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Experience Prince George’s, the county’s destination marketing organization, presented its FY2026 request to the PHED committee on April 17 and described promotional activity, event partnerships and funding pressures.

David Noto, providing the budget overview, said Experience Prince George’s budget for FY26 is about $1.66 million, a small decrease from FY25. He told the committee that county funding represents more than 90% of the agency’s budget and that prospective reductions at the state tourism board could further squeeze grant support.

President and CEO (board) representative Graves and board members described marketing work the agency runs on limited funds: a printed visitor guide (20,000–25,000 copies per cycle), media buys outside the county to attract day and overnight visitors, and partnerships to promote major events. The agency noted WorldPride events in the Washington region for 2025 and said it is coordinating with Capital Pride and local businesses to route visitors to county hotels and attractions.

Experience Prince George’s also outlined sales activity (convention and sports bookings), a cooperative Mid‑Atlantic marketing initiative with neighboring destination organizations and legislative advocacy work undertaken on behalf of the tourism sector. Board members attending the meeting said private-sector partners such as Tanger Outlets view the county DMO as essential to maintaining visitor flows and supporting local retail and hospitality.

Committee members thanked the agency and asked about event pipelines, international visitation pressures and opportunities linked to county trails and outdoor recreation. Experience Prince George’s said it will continue to seek state grant funds where available and to prioritize promotions that deliver room nights and visitor spending for county businesses.

No committee votes were taken during the presentation.

","Experience Prince George’s, the county’s destination marketing organization, told the PHED committee it expects about $1.66 million in FY26 funding, noted a decline in state support, highlighted WorldPride-related outreach and said the county grant represents over 90% of its budget.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6600482,"Housing Authority proposes $111 million FY26 budget; agency reports voucher pressure, long wait list and Cottage City redevelopment",440,2973000,3413000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3042956-aa85d8f45797e7f9bc7049eafe27c23d&start=2973&end=3413","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3042956-aa85d8f45797e7f9bc7049eafe27c23d/thumbnail_2973000.jpg","/articles/6600482/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/Housing-Authority-proposes-111-million-FY26-budget-agency-reports-voucher-pressure-long-wait-list-and-Cottage-City-redevelopment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600482-7de2722e12c099b94639011d4d08ddda/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431229&Signature=LJCBFHS0ylpZQz01CUD9It1e80a-D9-oDHVcLS9HLna7pXkqRzs2KWqhqLV6FMort8eHzyoY7IvKKJXhutrDVDjCRyKKvuHyTrrXnMBrt2FtO29BXkwqY-1OXYurFBSejTwbDgBqIjrS5krlHxm4tzU-xtGAUNMs4yWL~QCZN8R9BRf68IocKeRfcH0yvJXcJUpj1l0eAydpCfQ85BHJzqVYohZWkJZhjLIe-WsRUfkVsV7P1d5xjyW8fiOJhVasynrOvtqXw4q242-W5EJse40RTYEDfcGhC4ycBrhbnjONlUqxc00FPHjgmoVFVt1~EUhuTOutxXL4V97qlGswpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Housing Authority of Prince George’s County told the PHED committee on April 17 that its proposed FY2026 budget is about $111 million, an increase driven primarily by higher housing choice voucher costs.

Agency presentation materials show the authority administered 5,986 vouchers in 2024 and reported unit utilization near 93.5% for tenant-based vouchers. The housing authority said it had 5,697 vouchers under lease and 124 emergency housing vouchers; staff noted emergency voucher funding provided during the COVID-19 pandemic will end this year.

The authority reported a tenant-based voucher waiting list of 775 families (the list was last opened in 2015) and said the current waiting-list length equates to approximately a 3.1-year wait. Executive Director Anderson Preston and agency finance staff said the voucher program is at budget capacity and the authority does not anticipate pulling families from the waiting list in the coming fiscal year.

The authority is moving forward on a large public-housing rehabilitation: Cottage City, a 100-unit high-rise, is planned for major renovation. The presentation listed financing sources for Cottage City that include $12 million in low-income housing tax credits, $3.5 million in Partnership Rental Housing funds from the state, $2.5 million from the county housing trust fund, and a $25 million bond issuance from the authority to support redevelopment. The authority said it expects financial closing and construction start in fall 2025.

Staffing issues drew questions: the authority reported 76 full-time employees and 32 current vacancies, which the executive director said the agency is actively recruiting to fill. The authority reported a 9.1% attrition rate and a $2 million salary lapse in the voucher program tied to vacancies.

Committee members asked about wait-list validation, conversion of temporary vouchers and the agency’s financial health. The housing authority said it has increased bond activity and is repositioning several properties; staff said they are working to place households referred by partner agencies as temporary federal funding ends.

No committee vote was taken on the housing authority’s budget; members asked for continued updates on voucher utilization, wait-list management and Cottage City’s finance schedule.

","The Housing Authority of Prince George’s County presented a FY2026 budget proposal of about $111 million driven by Section 8 voucher program increases, reported 5,986 administered vouchers, a 775-family wait list and plans for a $25 million bond-financed Cottage City redevelopment.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6600486,"DHCD presents FY26 budget highlights to PHED committee; staff cite market delays and new homeownership supports",384,2352000,2736000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3042956-aa85d8f45797e7f9bc7049eafe27c23d&start=2352&end=2736","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3042956-aa85d8f45797e7f9bc7049eafe27c23d/thumbnail_2352000.jpg","/articles/6600486/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/DHCD-presents-FY26-budget-highlights-to-PHED-committee-staff-cite-market-delays-and-new-homeownership-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600486-47cc6269fe5b03766ee5dc443c4d33bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770431229&Signature=OR3ScfkFqGmVMrV3vv~G0WRMyExYHQ-GC8HJ7-MzetFb~2P1U3xjFyj1b-WhuN4xKTeIX4-mRerNdFVFOR2qMH0WtA~-inzTTm6SbM30g~mg0HVNUR35mJ4Nj3I5GXvxGjr9kAX6qC-J~xKEmSGeXkIiXcuYqKmzQWRHI9BK8~vqQPoHN1-AST4XT6QmXQT1R3i8XYPAIuTpcQcFXsrxNna7XRGP-uYKBzM8ZdPyxJ0hx28lk73XY5VQ1YWKY-NMJtYlbiTpVb8bbEpd766Mc6ZzXqQW2suvQIfDXeTdwFAf2E88b-UkeCyfKgKKEltCG0zc5vTttUNkN6PuFnqPRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning, Housing & Economic Development Committee on April 17 heard a fiscal year 2026 budget overview from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), which described program funding, staffing and several new or expanded initiatives.

Shailen Miller Y, DHCD staff presenting the department review, said the department’s proposed FY2026 general fund was approximately $3.6 million and noted a projected decline in the Housing Investment Trust Fund from the prior year. She told the committee the Trust Fund projection was lower because \"projects are staying in the pipeline longer than anticipated\" amid a high interest-rate market.

DHCD’s budget book in the session showed staff proposals for 108 full-time equivalents across DHCD-related agencies, with DHCD proper consisting of a 32-person team; staff described eight positions as grant-funded. Miller reported recent program activity including $5.5 million distributed through Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) payments to 681 families and Emergency Solutions Grants engagement with 14 individuals and 517 shelter residents.

The department outlined two new grant programs: a Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing program and a Housing Affordability Planning program. Miller also said the Pathways to Purchase (down-payment assistance) program will increase maximum loan amounts to $50,000 and extend term/forgivable options up to 20 years.

Council members asked about the durability of federal grant funding. Miller noted the department’s HOME and CDBG allocations were not expected to change imminently and said DHCD expects the Department of Housing and Community Development staffing to reach full fill within months. She also said DHCD is collaborating with the Redevelopment Authority on new homeownership initiatives.

No formal committee vote was taken; members requested follow-up details and noted the department must supply maps and program-level data as the ordinance and budget cycle move forward.

","At an April 17 work session the Department of Housing and Community Development outlined its FY2026 requests, noting declines in projected trust-fund draws due to slower project closings, new grant programs, staffing totals and anticipated program adjustments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Prince George’s Council committee holds bills to create zoning category for opioid treatment centers after debate over access and safeguards

Experience Prince George’s reports flatting FY26 grant; agency highlights tourism work, WorldPride outreach and funding squeeze

Housing Authority proposes $111 million FY26 budget; agency reports voucher pressure, long wait list and Cottage City redevelopment

DHCD presents FY26 budget highlights to PHED committee; staff cite market delays and new homeownership supports