Prince George's council hears remand on McDonald’s drive‑through plan near Cesar Chavez Elementary

Prince George’s County Council (sitting as the District Council) on Oct. 6 heard oral arguments on a remanded detailed site plan (DSP 22001) that would replace a building at Green Meadows Shopping Center with a McDonald’s eating and drinking establishment with a double drive‑through located at the northeast quadrant of East‑West Highway (MD‑410) and Ager Road in Council District 2. The council did not vote and took the matter under advisement; the planning board previously approved the plan with conditions and the remand followed a district‑council order requiring additional evidence on specified issues.

The case returned to the council after a remand order dated April 25, 2025 directed the planning board to reopen the record on a discrete set of questions including on‑site vehicular and pedestrian circulation, a health impact assessment referral, additional technical reports, legal ownership, archaeological resources and hearing notice. Hojung Garland, a planner with the Maryland‑National Capital Park and Planning Commission, summarized the planning board record and said the board approved the remand‑phase plan subject to five conditions; the planning board’s decision is in resolution number 2025‑0088 (as referenced in staff materials).

Opponents — parents from Cesar Chavez Dual Spanish Immersion Elementary School and neighborhood advocates — urged the council to disapprove, saying the site is too close to the school, the planning record omitted necessary health analysis, outreach to Spanish‑speaking neighbors was insufficient and off‑site traffic and air‑quality impacts were not adequately addressed. Rebecca Rios, a…