College Park council introduces ordinance to amend housing, refuse-cart and fee rules; public hearing set for April 1

The College Park City Council on March 4 introduced an ordinance amending City Code sections on housing regulations, refuse totes and recycling containers, and fees and penalties, and scheduled a public hearing for April 1, 2025.

Lede: The ordinance (25‑O‑01) would amend Chapter 125-10 (housing regulations), Chapter 141-6 (refuse tote and recycling containers) and Chapter 110 (fees and penalties); the council introduced the ordinance and agreed to hold a public hearing on April 1.

Nut graf: City staff said the revised language responds to council direction from a prior meeting and includes an accommodation process for properties whose topography makes curbside storage impractical. Council members asked about enforcement and the $50 per-day fine for noncompliance; staff said the code establishes per-day fines and that enforcement could be re-evaluated if repeat violations occur.

Key points from staff and council: Director of Public Services Jitinder Coker reviewed the ordinance sections and told the council staff would implement the revised language. Council members asked whether the ordinance’s alternate storage process would cover properties on steep streets; staff confirmed the text allows property owners or occupants to request an alternate, inconspicuous storage location through the Department of Public Services when topography prevents compliant curbside storage.

Enforcement question: Council asked whether the $50 per-day penalty would escalate for repeat offenders; staff said the proposed ordinance assigns $50 per day, and could be revisited if data showed the level was ineffective; municipal court judges also may exercise discretion when assessing fines.

Next steps: The council introduced the ordinance and will hold a public hearing on April 1, 2025. Staff will post the ordinance language and accept public comment ahead of the hearing.