Council Considering Another Overlay Zone

In the past several years, residents have started expanding their homes instead of moving to larger homes.  This trend is not just in Mount Rainier, but across the County and State.  Some of the expansions have actually overshadowed the home(s) next to them, and, in my opinion, destoryed the character of the neighborhood.

There is nothing wrong with wanting a bigger home, but at what cost to the neighborhood and to your neighbor.  Our current, rules and regulations provide some protection, but not enough to control some of the exasperating MacMansions that are appearing in our small City.  As a result, the following legislation is being proposed, and you need to know or think about how it will affect your plans for your home and/or your neighbors' plans for their homes:

PROPOSED LEGISLATION:

A resolution requesting the Prince George’s County District Council to designate the Mount Rainier Architectural Conservation District.

Whereas, the citizens of Mount Rainier are concerned about maintaining the character of their neighborhood and affordability of homes while resisting the “mansionization” trend that has afflicted of the communities in Prince George's County;

Whereas, the historical significance of the architecture of the City of Mount Rainier was recognized when it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990;

Whereas, the Mayor and Council of the City of Mount Rainier wishes to preserve the nature and character of our city’s architecture, but not create a local historic district which would be overly burdensome and restrictive for the City’s residents;

Whereas, the City of Mount Rainier wishes to accomplish the following goals which are enumerated in Prince George’s County Code (Subtitle 27,  Sec. 27-548.28) as the purposes of an architectural conservation district:

(1)    Preserve and protect the architectural or design character of the district;        

(2)    Retain affordable housing;

(3)    Promote appropriate new construction;

(4)    Preserve and stabilize the City and  property values;

(5)    Protect desirable and unique physical features of existing residential and commercial properties;

(6)    Promote economic revitalization and maintain continued economic vitality;

(7)    Attract quality investment and encourage land development which complements and enhances the character of the neighborhood; and

(8)    Ensure that development within the zone maintains well-planned urban design relationships with their neighborhoods and adjoining areas.

Whereas, Prince George’s County Code (Subtitle 27,  Sec. 27-213.19) permits the District Council to designate an architectural conservation district if the municipality in which the proposed district is located requests such a designation, by resolution of the city council; 

Whereas, required by the Prince George’s County Code (Subtitle 27,  Sec. 27-213.19) the proposed Mount Rainier Architectural Conservation District would encompass more than 20 adjacent developed or undeveloped residential lots or parcels in a single family residential zone; the boundaries will follow property lines, streets, or permanent natural features; it will not exclude part of any included property; and all included property is within the City of Mount Rainier;

  

Therefore, the Mayor and Council of the City of Mount Rainier hereby request by this resolution that:

1. The Prince George’s County District Council designate an architectural conservation district for the City of Mount Rainier, Maryland;

2. The District Council adopt a resolution authorizing the Prince George’s County Planning Board to prepare an architectural conservation plan for the proposed district;

3. The architectural conservation plan include “a section setting forth guidelines for approval of single-family residential building projects whose scope of work will result in an increase of the gross floor area of the existing structure of twenty percent (20%) or less or alterations exclusive of maintenance to the architectural elevations of existing residential structures” (Subtitle 27, Sec. 213.20(8));

4. The Mount Rainier Architectural Conservation District shall include all single-family residential zones within the corporate boundaries of the City of Mount Rainier, Maryland;

5. The Architectural Conservation District Plan may if deemed necessary further restrict zoning densities, minimum lot sizes, setback and other zoning regulations established in the base zones ” (Subtitle 27, Sec. 213.20(3));

6. The Architectural Conservation District Plan includes a design “pattern book” to provide visual guidance for homeowners, architects, and contractors; and

7. The Planning Board staff will work closely with the Mount Rainier Design Review Board and homeowners in drafting an Architectural Conservation District Plan that the Mayor and Council may review and determine if it wishes to finalize.