Five community workshops were held starting in the Fall of 2002 to solicit input on design guidelines and a conceptual development plan for the Suitland Town Center. An economic analysis has also been undertaken for the area to determine the most economically viable uses.

A final draft of the M-U-T-C Development Plan and the proposed design standards and guidelines was presented at the community workshop in March 2002. Staff has completed a draft M-U-T-C development plan in 2004 and requested permission from the Planning Board to publish the preliminary plan in December of 2004.

At the March 1st community workshop staff presented proposed boundaries for the Mixed-Use Town Center zone, a preliminary development concept and draft design standards and guidelines. The proposed boundaries are shown below and incorporate the commercially zoned properties along Silver Hill and Suitland Roads as well as limited residential sites to allow for adequate land for future re-development necessary to create the town center.

Approved Suitland M-U-T-C Boundaries

The conceptual development plan for the Suitland M-U-T-C proposes two development areas. Main Street development is recommended for the properties along the major arterials, Silver Hill and Suitland Roads. The plan recommends predominantly commercial mixed-use development, office and retail uses, in these areas. Separate design standards and guidelines will be included in the development plan to control and guide development in this important area of the town center. These design requirements will promote mid-rise buildings (two to five stories), interesting and attractive architecture, shared parking behind buildings, and an attractive and functional streetscape. The conceptual development plan recommends two smaller areas for new neighborhood development. The Suitland Manor redevelopment site comprises the majority of this designated area. The design standards and guidelines for this development area promote attractive and mixed-density residential with smaller scale buildings and shared parking. The guidelines for neighborhood streets encourage wider sidewalks, street trees and traffic calming devices to create streets safe for people and cars. A key component of the development plan is a system of open spaces that include a Village Green, Town Center Plaza, neighborhood greens, and a Suitland Promenade which would serve as a green hiker/biker trail along the Suitland Federal Center on Suitland Road.

Suitland M-U-T-C Conceptual Development Plan CLICK MAP TO ENLARGE

The development plan also includes new standards and guidelines to control signage in the town center. These design requirements will control the number and size of signs and promote attractive and complementary signage. Another important element in the Mixed-Use Town Center Zone is the ability to create a local review committee to advise the Prince George's County Planning Board on whether development applications are in conformance with the community's M-U-T-C Development Plan. The committee is appointed by the Planning Board and reviews building permits prior to the Planning Department's acceptance for zoning conformance. Staff recommended that a seven-member committee be established for Suitland. It was recommended that the committee be comprised of two representatives from the Suitland Citizens Association; two representatives from the Suitland Business Association; two at-large representatives either residents, property or business owners; and one representative from the Suitland Federal Center. The Planning Board gave staff permission to print the draft plan in December 2004 for public dissemination. A joint public hearing with the County Council was held on March 15, 2005.

The County Council approved the M-U-T-C on February 28, 2006 per Council Resolution with minor changes. The approved plan is anticipated to be published by the end of June.