Council backs Branchville Crossing DSP and covenants, urges planning-board approval of affordable senior housing
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Summary
City Council recommended approval of the Branchville Crossing detailed site plan and Declaration of Covenants and supported a request to exceed the parking cap for an 87-unit affordable senior and disability housing project; the applicant and staff said recent noise and landscaping concerns were addressed.
On Jan. 27 the City Council voted to recommend Prince George's County Planning Board approval of the Branchville Crossing detailed site plan (DET2025-010) and to approve a Declaration of Covenants between the developer and the city.
Carlos Nunes, senior planner for the city, described the project as "an 87 unit affordable senior and disability housing development on Branchville Road utilizing 4% LIHTC to ensure long term affordability," and presented a package that staff said includes a phase-two noise study, revised landscaping, and clarified language about ADA ramp feasibility and city tree removal procedures.
Matthew Tedesco, local counsel for the applicant, told the council the development team had worked closely with staff and addressed concerns raised at a January work session, and described the revised project as substantially reduced in height from earlier approvals.
Councilmember Jordan moved, and a colleague seconded, a motion "that the City Council recommend approval to the planning board of the detailed site plan, DET2025010, and approval to exceed the parking cap as proposed by the applicant," and also to approve the Declaration of Covenants in substantially the form attached. The motion passed on a voice vote with the mayor calling for "All in favor, say Aye." Council discussion expressed appreciation for staff and the developer's responsiveness and noted the project addresses affordable senior housing needs in District 2.
Clarifying note: staff described the project as an 87-unit development; a unit-breakdown quoted in the presentation contained inconsistent figures when read aloud during the meeting (the transcript lists multiple bedroom counts that do not sum to 87). The council approved the recommendation to the county planning board and the covenants as presented at the meeting.
What happens next: the council’s recommendation will be included in the file sent to the Prince George’s County Planning Board, which will take the final decision on the detailed site plan.
