PHED committee backs zoning changes to expand locations for state-licensed opioid treatment centers

The Prince George's County Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee on July 3 voted 5-0 to give a favorable recommendation to CB-27 (2025) in its proposed Draft 2A, which adds state-licensed opioid treatment centers as a principal use in selected zones and establishes conditions for their operation.

Sponsor remarks described the measure as intended to preserve access to opioid treatment services while addressing neighborhood concerns. "These are medical offices where people have to have an appointment," Council Member DeNoga said, differentiating the proposed state-licensed facilities from older methadone clinic models. The draft retains a 500-foot separation from certain uses; staff said the measure was modeled in part on Anne Arundel and Baltimore County approaches.

Planning staff recommended permitting the use in additional commercial zones, including CN and NAC and the core of transit-oriented zones, and provided maps and technical comments. James Hunt, deputy planning director, told the committee the planning board had taken no position on the earlier draft and was reviewing the new proposed draft. Natalia Gomez of the Planning Department said planning recommended permitting centers in core transit-oriented zones and that the Health Department likewise recommended considering commercial zones that include CN and AC zones in transit areas.

Health officials and public-health advisors emphasized limited existing capacity: Anya Makarova, adviser to the Prince George's County Board of Health, said Prince George's County has only one state-licensed opioid treatment facility, located in Laurel. She said the facilities often resemble typical medical offices and can vary in capacity, and supported appointment-only operations to avoid loitering concerns.

Committee members discussed prioritizing siting near transit to improve access and potential amendments to allow centers in transit cores rather than only on edges. Council Member Adam Stafford pressed for prioritizing transit access; planning staff said draft 2A currently allows the use in some transit-edge zones but that staff would consider amendments. The sponsor suggested voting a favorable recommendation while allowing potential amendments before formal introduction in September, so the committee could work over the summer on transit and other technical issues.

The committee approved a motion to recommend the draft with technical amendments; the motion, made on the record as a favorable recommendation with technical amendments, passed by roll call, 5-0. The committee asked staff to arrange site visits to existing facilities and to coordinate with the Health Department and Park and Planning on potential zoning and development standards before final introduction.