October 20, 2026

Prince George’s County Planning Board, M-NCPPC

1616 McCormick Drive, Largo MD                                                         Via: pgcpb@mncppc.org

RE: Support for DSP-2026-0021, RST New Carrollton

Dear members of the Board:

The Coalition for Smarter Growth (CSG), advocates for walkable, bikeable, inclusive, transit-oriented communities as the most sustainable and equitable way for the Washington, DC region to grow and provide opportunities for all. We also support and work closely with RISE Prince George’s, a group of county residents and allies advocating for policies and practices that build shared, sustainable prosperity in Prince George’s County by creating safe, walkable, inclusive and transit-oriented communities. 

On behalf of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, we wish to express our support for this project and detailed site plan. This proposal will provide 282 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, along with some office space in a single apartment building. Nearly all of these homes will be affordable at 60% of the Median Family Income. The project will convert an old car sales and rental car lot. The site is only a five minute walk away from the soon to be operational Glenridge Purple Line station. In fact, the site is only a 20 minute walk, or 10 minute bike ride from the New Carrollton Metro and Amtrak station. 

We are not only excited to see these new affordable homes provided close to transit, but also close to a grocery store, schools and other stores. While the two state highways that define this area – MD 450 – Annapolis Road, and MD 410 – Veterans Parkway, are not at all pleasant places to walk along, or bicycle on, the proposed building design helps to start to change this. The building is designed to face and engage the street, giving greater definition to the edge of the street. This visually indicates to drivers on Annapolis Road that this is a more urban place – not just a place for fast moving cars and trucks, but also for people walking and biking. 

We appreciate the short term bicycle parking as well as long term bike parking in the plans. We know that staff have requested the removal of some of the short term bike racks as they appear to conflict with the parkland dedication requirements. Bike parking is a part of providing access to parks and open space, and also to adjacent uses like the front door of an office or store.  We request that the Board consider ways to allow the developer to provide access to the parkland and buildings’ entrances for people arriving on bicycles. 

I’ll note that I frequently find it difficult to lock my bike near the entrance of a public building in Prince George’s County – like the Planning Board’s Largo headquarters and the Curry Building. The Kenilworth building is the only county building I’ve visited recently with good short-term bike parking by the entrance.

Conclusion

We again want to express our support for DSP 2026-21, which will bring 282 affordable apartments to this transit-accessible location. This is another exciting advance for transit-oriented housing and the Purple Line. We look forward to continuing the effort to make Annapolis Road and Veterans Parkway multimodal streets where walking to the Purple Line station, bus stops, the grocery store, or school feels safe and comfortable. 

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Cheryl Cort, DC & Prince George’s Policy Director