4032

VETOES

During the Prince George's Delegation Bi-County Subcommittee
discussion of this bill, it was alleged that the Planning Board,
an appointed body, has the final say on subdivision plats. That
is not entirely true. The Council may review subdivision plats
on its own initiative, and it may review these plats on appeal
from any party to the original zoning hearing.

There have been some criticisms of our cluster development
ordinance and of the manner in which it has been implemented by
the Planning Board. For the most part, this criticism has
centered around two issues; the inclusion of a small percentage
of townhouses in two of the zones, and the ability of the
developer to provide private roads within the development. The
latter issue has been resolved by requiring public streets in all
cases, and we are in the process of amending our subdivision
regulations and zoning ordinance to eliminate townhouses in
cluster developments in the single family zones where cluster is
permitted. We believe that the appropriate level of government
to make land use decisions is the local level, and we are not
insensitive to the need to constantly review and evaluate local
policies and local ordinances. We do not agree that the General
Assembly is an appropriate body to enact local planning and
zoning policy for Prince George's County.

In light of all of the above, we earnestly request that you
exercise your veto authority and not permit House Bill 1183 to
become law. It is directly contrary to State and local
environmental policies, State and local affordable housing
policies, and the authority and responsibility of local
government in land use decisions.

Sincerely,

William B. Amonett                                                         Parris N. Glendening

Chairman, County Council                                                     County Executive

House Bill No. 1183

AN ACT concerning

Montgomery and Prince George's Counties

Prince George's County - Planning

and Zoning - Cluster Zoning

PG/MC 31-86

FOR the purpose of specifying certain procedures and requirements

for cluster zoning in Montgomery and Prince George's

counties Prince George's County; providing for the
applicability of the Act; and generally relating to planning
and zoning in Montgomery and Prince George's counties Prince
George's County.

BY adding to