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Greenbelt council backs county zoning change to ease reopening of former St. Hugh’s school, asks for MOU
Summary
The council voted to send a comment letter supporting Prince George’s County bill CB69 — which would ease county special-exception rules for certain previously operated private schools — while asking that the city negotiate an MOU with the school operator to address traffic, parking and recreational access.
The Greenbelt City Council voted to send a comment letter to the Prince George’s County Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) committee supporting a proposed zoning-text amendment (CB69) that would exempt certain previously operated private-school uses from the county’s special-exception requirement — but the council asked that the city and the school enter an MOU to address site-specific operational issues.
Jamie Feere, acting director of planning and community development, told the council the amendment emerged from a legislative drafting request and would apply countywide to properties that previously operated as private schools and do not currently abut residential parcels. Feere emphasized the city’s role would be advisory and recommended the memo include an assurance that municipalities with affected property could evaluate site-specific items.
Matthew Tedesco, the land-use attorney representing Saint Jerome Institute (SJI), said the special-exception process would be costly and slow for a nonprofit: “The special exception process in Prince George’s County will take a minimum of 9 to 12 months, and it’ll be, with consulting fees and other types of application fees and everything that goes into it. It’s about a 6-figure endeavor,” he said, urging Greenbelt’s support to allow SJI to pursue occupancy of the former St. Hugh’s school building.
Council members debated whether supporting a countywide text change could create unintended consequences for other municipalities; several members said negotiating a memorandum of understanding with the school would be a better way to secure the city’s ability to influence traffic circulation, parking, recreational access and other operational conditions.
Council approved sending the letter in support of CB69 with the caveat that the parties negotiate an MOU covering traffic, circulation, parking and outdoor recreation facilities. City staff said they will work with SJI and county staff to pursue language that protects Greenbelt’s advisory interests while helping the school reopen.
Next steps: staff will prepare the letter to the PHED committee and pursue MOU terms with the school and parties involved, and the council expects the matter may return as the county prepares committee drafts later in the summer.
