[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6520947,"mediaKeyId","5116030-c3250cead122bc6ff4871141fb2448b8","parentId",5116030,"title","Council adds discussion of pilot to help residents access state energy-efficiency audits and incentives","audioSeconds",293,"startMs",11895000,"endMs",12188000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5116030-c3250cead122bc6ff4871141fb2448b8&start=11895&end=12188","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5116030-c3250cead122bc6ff4871141fb2448b8/thumbnail_11895000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6520947/College-Park/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/Council-adds-discussion-of-pilot-to-help-residents-access-state-energy-efficiency-audits-and-incentives","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520947-11feada4923f27d5d66d1f4b1ebae8de/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199390&Signature=QbqwH0PpVdy-z8RqW~w6GlJ6tPgvlQha7Ntoiy7MvkZg-fACsz3uixW2tNpwan3LgJv94czDMPxUkFyr~mzqw3EZlDeWL0vHAP~mFVm1I1DDZneHNKD-r3pYmhTtSybU8n~F09mqU888JHob~adZa6CIKjcLYadP~xrBndv-ARs0Hwi4-pjtnOr~iJblwUebZ82iU2zmwIxSaI4m6KBhtSoysmQEey0Wb~4XWSsd674nS9P5c9QwKTh9nuOGX1U-7qgNohwAYeHWZLu~pUvxly9TXvUrmXzXdIkasHALZrIf~gwhpUqHWneEdnFlDiuZOXlQUd5FJcpr~OQD6rtMfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","College Park, MD","date","2025-07-02T04:48:02Z","article","A council member proposed that the city pilot a program to lower the upfront cost barrier for homeowners to access state energy-efficiency incentives (the Maryland Empower program) by subsidizing initial energy-audit fees commonly charged at $100–$150.

The sponsor said audits are the first step homeowners must take to qualify for state and federal incentives and that many residents pay into the statewide fund on utility bills but do not access the benefits. The proposal would author a small, city-funded pilot to reimburse or cover the audit fee and promote program use.

Council members supported adding the item to a future agenda and asked staff to coordinate with the city’s Committee for a Better Environment and the county outreach programs, and to prepare cost estimates and an implementation plan. The item was added for future discussion; staff did not commit to funding tonight.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Meeting July 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A council member proposed a pilot program to subsidize initial home energy audits under Maryland’s Empower program to encourage uptake of energy-efficiency measures; council approved adding the item for future discussion and directed staff to coordinate with the Committee for a Better Environment.","taxTitle","College Park, Prince George's County, Maryland","taxId",53864,"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},6520951,"Council reviews revisions to revitalization tax credit program to focus on targeted uses and added diligence",1712,9974000,11686000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5116030-c3250cead122bc6ff4871141fb2448b8&start=9974&end=11686","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5116030-c3250cead122bc6ff4871141fb2448b8/thumbnail_9974000.jpg","/articles/6520951/College-Park/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/Council-reviews-revisions-to-revitalization-tax-credit-program-to-focus-on-targeted-uses-and-added-diligence","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520951-3a3db77eb50c0581a4fdb52ccc88a423/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199390&Signature=eseaPBcIyI1wAFFAi8k0aPpoRyhkpYGVPF238sZmXCDHDXWRwkuI9b5NJpYxuM9BX6o1NI4JbWNYTZ~-cui5ckypljJE-bPNVRHTcs58MK9qIPqOx7MLU5tFiENMhfyzKw3q9ny7a~rVSye9LJDYB2vIpXTHJGOO8bwd2HVujyrvuDcbyIcxoBsCAyU3rIx77b~KuZ7E2ACdYqnGrzfgqMwuq~FxFU7PqOSEh9W6uW5Lz5y7fysk5dK35DKOjs87oftPQ~iqwkcbXejVCPnmnlbp95dAzmXGN9TcQ86Pt5E7BSpeWaPQUBX1T4ZTUvAKFTwGQeH7LHLpLAmii822dA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council reviewed a staff-led update to the City of College Park’s revitalization tax credit (RTC) program designed to clarify eligible project types, strengthen application materials and allow staff and the council to evaluate economic impacts more thoroughly.

Economic development staff presented proposed ordinance amendments and updated application guidelines that would broaden the program’s focus beyond generic redevelopment to emphasize certain public‑benefit uses, including senior housing, workforce and vocational-training facilities, affordable student housing (as defined in project proposals), community space, and environmentally sustainable building practices. The draft includes new requests for project financials, pro forma statements and impact metrics so staff can evaluate whether a tax credit is necessary to make a project feasible.

City Attorney Stephanie Anderson and economic development staff said they intend to preserve council discretion: meeting the program criteria would not automatically guarantee a credit, and the city would apply additional diligence for longer-term credits. Council members debated the use of a “but-for” financial test (showing that a project would not proceed without a tax credit). Staff suggested reserving the most stringent financial-test requirements for larger or longer-term credits while keeping flexibility for smaller, short-term incentives.

Council members supported including sustainability criteria and vocational training uses. Several council members stressed that any student‑housing projects receiving incentives should meet local affordability expectations and that the city should expect developers to disclose unit costs and affordability metrics during the review. Staff said the draft ordinance will return to the council for introduction after further refinement.","Staff returned draft revisions to the city's revitalization tax credit (RTC) program to broaden eligible projects and add application requirements; staff and the city attorney said the draft is intended to give the council flexibility while requiring more project due diligence.",{"_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},6520956,"Council begins overhaul of rental enforcement and overcrowding policy; staff to study density limits and training requirements",3717,6286000,10003000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5116030-c3250cead122bc6ff4871141fb2448b8&start=6286&end=10003","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5116030-c3250cead122bc6ff4871141fb2448b8/thumbnail_6286000.jpg","/articles/6520956/College-Park/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/Council-begins-overhaul-of-rental-enforcement-and-overcrowding-policy-staff-to-study-density-limits-and-training-requirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520956-09111b9dc421296311dcb9b85b0b5e0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199390&Signature=OJ~N-WqM-757NyucKI9~btppjXqBsi1qzEJU1icD7vMxWo6O2i6MvgGpEdJlbTHTK9fAI2dOaKTAQhfXK0SDaFiqYXVE~mkTsfFdyHIhTnOqc0YbGHi3K8BrR1PpyC0PtI-rAexEzruyBSvyadAe-EJYKQ9KyNcVXSzJxmvKlI1D2g7MsAKS09X3L9WmAFtt-CgMxLMdG24An~gf6VoAfqYMnXRe7PyE77CPXkPB7MXd81zTIgBkte4w~5dA~M0wvb3UQXGanW9oQ6~Nmaw~2A5BseUdT0ON8Ecl0v3qoO-rOUugJfn6nAd92vLkFrQydyge1JbIS5y1MH8sQ7NRGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and the city attorney returned to a long-running issue — residential overcrowding and enforcement of rental licensing rules — during a council work session focused on potential updates to the code.

Director of Public Works John Coker and City Attorney Stephanie Anderson briefed the council on models they reviewed, including Mankato, Minnesota’s rental licensing program. Staff proposed several possible measures: a required occupancy registry with basic property and tenant contact information; a required resident agent within a specified distance; a mandatory training program for landlords and tenants to be repeated periodically; clearer inspection and enforcement tools; and, potentially, a cap on rental density in a block or neighborhood (staff cited a 25% benchmark used in the Minnesota model).

Staff emphasized that some enforcement tools used in other jurisdictions would require legal review and may not be available under Maryland law. Anderson said criminal citations or eviction authority are outside the city’s direct powers and noted the need to check for state limitations before drafting any density cap. Coker recommended a training-first approach that would educate landlords and tenants about code requirements and make enforcement more straightforward.

Council members raised operational questions and policy concerns. Several asked that staff make the registry and enforcement information more transparent (for example, by listing property-agent contact information on a public portal) and expand inspections and signage where appropriate. Council member Rigg urged caution about retroactive limits on existing rentals; others suggested a strike‑based enforcement system (multiple violations leading to suspension or revocation of a rental license). Members also pushed for engagement with the University of Maryland and its student government on off-campus housing and education for students who will live in the city.

Staff said they will continue legal research on rental-density limits and other proposals, refine the training and registry ideas and return with recommendations; council members recommended prioritizing “low-hanging fruit” that can be implemented quickly alongside further study of more complex measures.","In a work session on residential overcrowding, staff proposed a range of approaches including a rental registry, annual training for landlords and tenants, expanded inspection protocols and possible rental-density limits; the council asked for legal review and prioritized near-term, enforceable steps.",{"_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},6520961,"College Park introduces ordinance to ban parking or standing in bike lanes; Route 1 enforcement awaits state action",1434,2876000,4310000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5116030-c3250cead122bc6ff4871141fb2448b8&start=2876&end=4310","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5116030-c3250cead122bc6ff4871141fb2448b8/thumbnail_2876000.jpg","/articles/6520961/College-Park/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/College-Park-introduces-ordinance-to-ban-parking-or-standing-in-bike-lanes-Route-1-enforcement-awaits-state-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520961-519d8ce98b3b9a6380fcb45e13f45ce4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199390&Signature=eH-QamPSd6gIAGSchKOQQGKS7RKzsvRF4-Np41Vfizy23nrrXseN~7eiqgEG51PDimiCYray1O2DMqfwHKlA-T6VFOcjquOb-Y406rWuu8EwOCRRj9PpJJ8K~KY1qYxpMcQYHhbhZxZvQaBP57iYJKxEJ9qXjq3bwUFJbkC~SdTLmenYnEeQiK95S9EQgwTlAbNZsSdM~WZUMLWo2vC4bxtjN83jdHmnOvpLS2iCNS47n4fRiWzL~PYql5TyC9vWMB2xSJIpwkd-D7a6XkBbiAg-PML3ESvt4KQ9lSVeGCZk0vkObahyZ8ZQLynu4WDjqd8Hszs7dcxTykBoZ5wg-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members voted to introduce Ordinance 25‑006, which would amend Chapter 184 (Vehicles and Traffic) to prohibit parking or standing in dedicated bike lanes on city-owned roads and add related penalties to Chapter 110 (Fees and Penalties).

Director of Public Works John Coker and the city attorney described the main provisions: definitions clarifying what counts as a bike lane, required signage, and a penalty structure that would start at $100 if paid within 15 calendar days and increase to $200 after 31 days (a smaller $10 escalation item noted in the draft mirrors language elsewhere in code and may be revised). Coker told the council that municipal parking enforcement officers and contract police would handle enforcement on city streets.

Council members flagged two operational points. First, several speakers asked how the ordinance would apply to the bike lane on Baltimore Avenue (US Route 1). Staff said the city’s ordinance would cover only city-owned roads; enforcement on Route 1 requires state authorization. Council member Whitney, who led the measure’s drafting and earlier advocacy, said the ordinance is intended as a “first step” to change driver behavior and to provide a model for county and state action. She noted that similar county and state proposals have been discussed but did not pass this session.

The council set a public hearing for the ordinance on August 6 at 7:30 p.m. and instructed staff to plan signage and public outreach ahead of enforcement. The ordinance was formally introduced at tonight’s meeting; no final vote on adoption was taken.","The council introduced Ordinance 25‑006 to prohibit parking and standing in marked bike lanes on city streets, set penalties and require signage; staff said the city cannot enforce the rule on state-owned US Route 1 without separate state action.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520965,"College Park approves purchase of 5021 Lakeland Road for restorative-justice planning",1479,1345000,2824000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5116030-c3250cead122bc6ff4871141fb2448b8&start=1345&end=2824","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5116030-c3250cead122bc6ff4871141fb2448b8/thumbnail_1345000.jpg","/articles/6520965/College-Park/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/College-Park-approves-purchase-of-5021-Lakeland-Road-for-restorative-justice-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520965-c6b522a1e24635ab2129c07baa911a75/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199390&Signature=RD0BJsq1LAQdsRVV9ZmH8Jr1qZuD6gmgwp9zchacrfMW0I76Q31Txc2APtPPb36LvoO1Da5Ha5AV6im2Dqzwq4Grv~Y7a0kTsmeLfR0VSgd50SG0ddLccKZng9nQLCnBp2ps9FUzHLU8b5gOnyBuBDKA-mrkHWurHct9rdUhewctBAuRULTUP4nteaAkXSXQBrawc-vTiUFEj3~o7vF0AZ02e1c5SM99Oq4VeftFjaNJHLkKsFWUiagOUbAOHqYPZjfH1keEpE2AtUlrcpnGSWI-2a7WqiT3-Tak1z4vLl25MURfprWJN0AibzUC~Fpv1K1TT7DoYxKhSakzBjo-2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The College Park Mayor and Council voted to adopt Ordinance 25‑007, authorizing the city to acquire 5021 Lakeland Road for a purchase price of approximately $200,000 plus settlement costs.

The vote followed a public hearing in which Lakeland residents urged the council to buy the vacant corner lot and hold it for community-driven restoration. Robert Thurston, president of the Lakeland Civic Association, told the council the lot has “been sitting in the description … for well over 2 years” after a storm-damaged house was demolished and that community control would help preserve Lakeland’s historic character. Resident Ruth Murphy said she was “super, super grateful” the city was considering the purchase and asked that future use be consistent with the Lakeland restorative-justice plan.

Resident Dave Dorsch urged caution, noting additional costs beyond the purchase price — demolition of remaining foundations, site remediation, mowing and maintenance — and asked why the city should use tax dollars to buy a small single-family lot that he said might be bought and redeveloped by a private owner.

City Manager Bill Young staff introduced the item, telling council members the city would pay about $200,000 plus settlement costs and that staff recommended the acquisition to support restorative-justice efforts in the Lakeland community. Council members who spoke in favor cited the city’s earlier commitments to Lakeland and the site’s proximity to two historic churches. Council member Rigg said the purchase is “a small piece of the puzzle” in restoring Lakeland and praised residents’ advocacy. Council member Whitney noted the lot sits across from Embry AME Church and First Baptist Church of Lakeland and described the acquisition as an opportunity to “build this community anew.”

The council voted on the ordinance after public comment and discussion. The motion to adopt Ordinance 25‑007 passed by voice vote; the transcript records unanimous “ayes” with no roll-call breakdown provided.

Next steps outlined by staff and council include coordinating with Lakeland residents and civic organizations on plans for the site and reporting back to the council on costs for demolition, short-term maintenance and longer-term programmed uses.","The City of College Park voted to adopt Ordinance 25‑007 to acquire 5021 Lakeland Road for about $200,000 so the municipality, together with Lakeland residents, can plan restorative-justice uses for the site.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adds discussion of pilot to help residents access state energy-efficiency audits and incentives

Council reviews revisions to revitalization tax credit program to focus on targeted uses and added diligence

Council begins overhaul of rental enforcement and overcrowding policy; staff to study density limits and training requirements

College Park introduces ordinance to ban parking or standing in bike lanes; Route 1 enforcement awaits state action

College Park approves purchase of 5021 Lakeland Road for restorative-justice planning