February 3, 2026
The Honorable Darryl Barnes, Chairman
Prince George’s County Planning Board
M-NCPPC
1616 McCormick Drive, Largo, MD Via: pgcpb@mncppc.org
RE: Support Silver Hill Apartments Case: PPS-2024-031
Dear Chair Barnes and 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, I wish to express our strong support for this project and subdivision request. This proposed apartment complex fulfills many county and state goals and enhances the community. We urge the Planning Board to fulfill County Executive Braveboy’s promise to streamline the zoning approval process for key projects like this affordable transit-oriented development.
This worthy project could bring 250 affordable apartment homes to a vacant site that is consistent with the high density designation in the land use plan of the sector plan, and is only a quarter mile walk to the Suitland Metro Station. This is a great place to build new homes for people who could save money by relying on riding Metro, and the major bus lines on Silver Hill Road. The sector plan identifies the property as a major transit-oriented development (TOD) opportunity site at the Suitland Metro Station.
Below are more details about why we enthusiastically support this project.
- This project addresses the critical need for more affordable, quality homes.
The proposed 250 apartments address an important housing need for Prince George’s families — homes for very low income residents. While the state and National Center for Smart Growth have documented an overall shortage in housing to meet the needs of Maryland residents, the research shows that Prince George’s has the most acute needs for more affordable housing. Prince George’s residents have higher housing cost burdens than surrounding jurisdictions and they face greater shortages of housing affordable for extremely low income families. (Source)
The shortage of affordable, available housing has many negative impacts on low income Prince George’s families. Households are forced to spend a large share of their income on housing, leaving less for other necessities. Lack of affordable housing can lead to unstable housing situations, children moving schools frequently, and vulnerability to eviction and homelessness. (Source). Quality, affordable housing helps Prince George’s families thrive.
The project is a standout in the state having won the award of a competitive 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits from Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. This is an important state contribution to building the affordable housing we need in Prince George’s County, which would serve households at or below 60% area median income, including at extremely low income households.
- Short walk to Metro — ¼ mile to the Suitland Metro station – this is the kind of transit oriented development we need
This project is a great opportunity for affordable transit-oriented development. It enables families to not only save money on quality housing they can afford, but also to have access to major transit connections with the Suitland Metro station only a 5-7 minute walk away, and the major bus corridor on Silver Hill Road. The site even offers the benefit of direct access to a public library across the street. Enabling more families to live close to major transit lines helps them reduce their transportation costs and have money to spend on other priorities like education and health. Transit proximity gives families increased access to broader employment, training, and education opportunities.
- The project fulfills land use plan designations specifically identifying this site for high density multifamily housing. This project is allowed as a matter of right under current zoning and land use plans.
At its core, the application before the Planning Board is a request to consolidate the two parcels. We recognize that more coordination is needed to address concerns raised about existing conditions, and opportunities to improve access, safety and connectivity to county and state roads. These efforts should continue as this proposal completes its subdivision approval phase.
Neighborhood residents should all have a more connected street network to travel, and easier and safer crossings to reach the Metro station and other destinations. Opportunities for improving access and safety include connecting Terrace Drive to Maywood Lane, and the signalization of Terrace Drive and MD 458 to support safer turning movements and crossings in and out of the neighborhood. These improvements require coordination with Prince George’s DPW&T, and MD SHA which control those roadways. These changes would also require thoughtful transitioning of the use of the public right of way as a connecting street from customary uses of private vehicle and dumpster storage by working with the community.
We suggest that the project create a transportation demand management (TDM) plan to reduce vehicle trips from the site, helping to minimize vehicular traffic on Maywood Lane. The TDM plan could maximize travel by transit, taking advantage of the proximity of the Suitland Metro station, and also address existing residents’ concerns about traffic management on Maywood.
Silver Hill Road, MD State Road 458, is a wide, high-speed roadway which poses hazards to people in and outside motor vehicles. We will continue to urge the MD SHA to improve safety on this road, and facilitate safer crossings for existing community members, and future residents of this site. We will also continue to urge MD SHA, WMATA and the County to implement proposed dedicated bus lanes and pedestrian access improvements to make riding the bus faster, safer, and more reliable.
Given the County Executive Braveboy’s stated commitment to streamline development approvals, we urge the Planning Board to not delay the approval of this subdivision request. This proposal advances the creation of more quality, affordable housing opportunities close to Metrorail and major bus routes. This project brings benefits to Prince George’s families and the neighborhood, and steps up to address our region’s and state’s housing shortage.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Cort
DC & Prince George’s Policy Director