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

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…