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Council backs The Mark student-housing plans with affordability pledge and delivery/drop-off condition
Summary
The council voted to recommend support for the preliminary plan and detailed site plan for The Mark at College Park (redevelopment of College Park Towers into two student housing buildings ~589 units) and approved a declaration of covenants that includes an affordability commitment (the lesser of 200 beds or 10% of units at 30% below market for eligible households); the council also added one to two ride-share/delivery drop-off spaces on Hartwick Road.
The City of College Park council on June 2 recommended support for a major student-housing redevelopment dubbed The Mark, endorsing the project's preliminary plan and detailed site plan and approving a declaration of covenants that includes an affordability commitment and transportation accommodations.
Miriam Bader, the city's director of planning and community development, summarized the submission for PPS-2024-016 and DET-2024-09: the applicant proposes to demolish the existing College Park Towers and build two student housing buildings with approximately 589 dwelling units (about 2,300 beds), a two-level underground garage with 573 parking spaces, a public pedestrian promenade, a pocket park and pollinator garden, bicycle and micromobility improvements, and other public-benefit features. Staff recommended the council support the plans subject to conditions and a covenant.
Applicant counsel Chris Hatcher and development representatives described ongoing coordination with city staff. A team member said the project will offer "the lesser of 200 beds or 10% of units at a rate of 30% under the market rate" to households who are PEL/PAH-eligible, veterans or active-duty military, or whose household income does not exceed 80% of area median income; the applicant confirmed agreement with the condition and with working with staff on compliance documentation.
Council discussion addressed parking, the new zoning rules for structured parking, ride-share and delivery logistics and the timing of affordability negotiations. Council members pressed for clear drop-off/delivery solutions; the council added language to provide one to two 15-minute drop-off/pickup spaces on Hartwick Road and asked the applicant to provide signage and work with the city on details.
Council also discussed the process and history: several members noted lengthy negotiations and a prior agreement that had been adjusted in recent filings; one councilor criticized late changes but said the applicant ultimately returned to terms acceptable to the council. After discussion the council voted in favor of motions to recommend support for the preliminary plan (PPS-2024-016) and to recommend support for approval of the detailed site plan (DET-2024-09) and to approve the declaration of covenants in substantially the attached form, subject to the city attorney's approval of final language.
Outcome and next steps: the council's action was a recommendation to the Prince George's County Planning Board and approval of the city's covenant; the project will proceed to the planning board for formal review and final approvals.
