Tuesday, March 5, 2013
The measure gives developers the ability to propose a mix of residential and retail development on the property.
After three-and-a-half hours of citizen comment and council discussion, the resolution supporting an amendment to the covenants on the Melford property passed the Bowie City Council with a vote of 6-0-1 Monday night, paving the way for resdidential and retail deveopment on the site. Councilman Dennis Brady (At Large) was the lone council member not to support the change to the covenants. He requested that his vote be recorded as “present." The passing of the resolution means that St. John’s Property, the owners of the Melford property, have been green-lighted to propose a mixed-use development to the city council. The amendment also increases the city's zoning authority over the property. Dozens of Bowie residents attended Monday night’s…
Monday, March 4, 2013
Council is scheduled to vote on the amendment following a public hearing at Monday's legislative meeting.
After reviewing the potential fiscal and other impacts of a proposed mixed-use development on the Melford property, the city of Bowie staff has recommended the Bowie City Council approve an amendment to change the covenants on the property. The amendment would pave the way for thousands of new units of housing and retail on the site—including 500 units of dedicated senior housing, high-density multi-family units, townhomes, service retail and office space. The recommendation comes after city staff reviewed financial and other implications of a mixed-use development on the property, according to the staff report dated Feb. 27 and issued by City Manager David Deutsch. Based on the financial analysis performed by the city staff, the proposed…
Thursday, February 28, 2013
The public will have a chance to give comment prior to the vote.
On Monday, the city of Bowie will face a major policy decision: whether to amend covenants on the Melford property—paving the way for hundreds of new housing and commercial units—or to leave the covenants as they stand. The History The Melford development has a nearly 30-year history in Bowie, beginning when the city annexed the property, then known as the University of Maryland Science and Technology Center, in 1985. This annexation put the city into a unique position, giving them zoning authority over the parcel of land. Amending the covenants will not take away any of Bowie’s control over the uses of the land, according to Mayor G. Frederick Robinson. “What I expect to happen is we will have a motion on the table to amend the …
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
The amendment, which could clear the way for thousands of new homes, will be discussed at a public hearing March 4.
Thousands of homes as well as retail and service stores may be built on the large Melford property in Bowie after the city council voted to allow its staff to draft an amendement to covenants that currently restrict how that land can be developed. The amendment allowing for new types of development will be discussed at a public hearing on March 4. The city council move comes after St. John Properties, the developer of the office campus already at the Melford tract, said it was having trouble leasing commercial space due to a lack of nearby amenities. “We need to provide amenities to the (office) park,” said Andrew Roud, development director with St. John Properties who urged council to expand the uses of the land. However, the city …
Friday, September 28, 2012
City staff have been approved to enter into discussions with the developer about the future of the property.
The Bowie City Council last week voted unanimously to allow representatives from St. John Properties Inc. (SJPI) to enter into talks with city staff about the future of the property known as Melford. Due to covenants on the property, the city is in a unique position—one that allows them considerable say in how the property is developed. The property, located at Rt. 50 and Rt. 301, is currently home to hundreds of thousands of feet of office space, and there are about 90 acres of undeveloped land that SJPI envisions as a mixed-use retail and residential community with a significant senior citizen housing component. The covenants on the land do not classify residential development as an approved use of the property, according to City Manager…
Kate Matthews
4:50 pm on Thursday, March 14, 2013
I do think the zoning change is a mistake at this time. Business is starting to pick up. is anyone trying to find businesses to go into Melfold (sounds like a disease) ??The location is great for commuters with the nearby ramps for both Rt50 and Rt 301. We should know we can't depend on the county for help. What is the City doing?? more ›