Public hearing on Corridor Center water-and-sewer category change draws developers and Laurel residents; council refers matter to TIE work session

At a public hearing on June 2, developers and their consultants asked the Prince George's County Council to advance the Corridor Center property (about 24–25 acres near I‑95 and MD‑198 in the City of Laurel) from water-and-sewer category 4 to category 3 so the project can proceed toward final platting and development.

Edward Gibbs, attorney for the applicant, told the council the project has completed multiple city approvals and the applicants respectfully requested council affirm the category advancement. Mark Ferguson (site design) and Ken Dunn (civil engineer, Soltes) described how the proposal meets the six criteria in the county’s 2018 water-and-sewer plan, noted forest-conservation approvals and said the site meets Prince George's County and Maryland stormwater-management regulations. Ferguson said the proposal includes affordable-for-sale units and that moving the property to category 3 is largely a technical advancement given prior approvals.

Neighborhood residents urged caution. Michael Maxwell said many neighbors learned of the hearing only the day before and asked the council to defer action, warning that Cherry Lane and adjacent local roads cannot absorb traffic from an estimated several hundred new homes. A Laurel resident who goes by Melissa expressed concerns about sewer and water stress, stormwater and climate resilience, and recommended infill development instead of this project. Maria Oshvalovski said the change would clear approximately 24 acres of green space and could increase pressure on Laurel High School.

Jonathan Haight, representing the group Law for the Patuxent, said the hearing and a WSSC (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission) report were provided with less than 24 hours' notice and that existing materials do not explain who would pay for proposed water and sewer relocations and connections; he urged the council to table CR29 until costs and responsibilities are spelled out in writing.

Disposition: The chair closed the hearing and the council moved CR29 to a Transportation, Infrastructure & Environment (TIE) committee work session scheduled for June 25 for additional review and discussion.

Authorities and technical references: Counsel and consultants referenced the 2018 water-and-sewer plan approval criteria and cited state forest-planting requirements (transcript references HB 1511 in the context of reforestation obligations). Engineers said WSSC and county DPW reviews have occurred or are in process for stormwater and water/sewer connections.

Next steps: The item will be considered at the TIE work session on June 25; attendees asked for additional written analysis, clearer public notice and documentation of cost responsibility for proposed utility relocations.