Agenda Item: 7 Agenda Date: 6/3/2021

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Prince George's County Planning Department Countywide Planning Division 301-952-3650 Note: Staff reports can be accessed at www.pgplanning.org/planning.home.htm

Mandatory Referral MR-2036F

Application

General Data Project Name: Southern K-8 Middle School Prince George's County Board of Education (PGCPS) Location: Fort Washington Road Fort Washington, MD 20744 Applicant/Address: Prince George’s County Board of Education Louis Wilson Sr. Facilities Administration Building 13300 Old Marlboro, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 Property Owner: Prince George's County Board of Education (PGCPS)

6/3/2021 Planning Board Hearing Date:

Date Accepted:

4/6/2021

60-Day Mandatory Action Timeframe:

6/3/2021

Acreage:

29.78 acres

Zone:

R-O-S Zone

Planning Area:

80

General Plan-Growth Policy Area:

Established Communities

Council District:

8

Municipality:

N/A

200-Sheet Base Map:

2160SE01

Purpose of Application Notice Date

The proposed project consists of a 4-story, 234,000 square-foot K-8 school on 29.78-acres of land on Fort Washington Road in Fort Washington, MD

Acceptance Mailing: 4/8/2021

Staff Recommendation Staff Reviewer: Christine A. Osei

Transmit Staff Report to: Mr. Jason Washington, Project Manager Louis Wilson Sr. Facilities Administration Building 13300 Old Marlboro Pike, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Phone Number: 301-952-3313 Email: Christine.Osei@ppd.mncppc.org

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Map 1 – Vicinity Map

Map 2 - General Project Location Map

SITE MAP

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Created: 12/16/2020

GENERAL LOCATION MAP

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The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY PLANNING BOARD

STAFF REPORT Subject: Mandatory Referral (MR-2036F) Prince George's County Public School (PGCPS) The proposed Southern K-8 Middle School is being reviewed according to the Land Use Article §§20-301 through 305 of the Maryland Annotated Code and the Prince George’s County Planning Board’s Adopted Uniform Standards for Mandatory Referral Review. The Land Use Article grants the Planning Board exclusive jurisdiction to review public construction projects for all federal, state, county, and municipal governments and publicly and privately-owned utilities through the Mandatory Referral (MR) review process.

Aerial View of the Site

PROJECT OVERVIEW

SITE DESCRIPTION The Southern K-8 Middle School property is owned by the Prince George's County Board of Education and is located at the southeast corner of Fort Washington Road and East Swan Creek Road in Fort Washington. The site consists of two parcels (Parcel A- 23.52 acres and Parcel B- 6.26 acres) containing 29.78 acres. Both parcels were the subject of final plats recorded in plat Book WWW 65 on pages 68 and 87 as “Tantallon Square High School.” The vacant and wooded property is bounded to the north by East Swan Creek Road, to the east by Asbury Drive, to the west by Fort Washington Road, and to the south by single-family residential dwellings. BACKGROUND This project is one of six schools being developed as part of the Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) Public Private Partnership (P3) through the Prince George's County Education and Community Partners, LLC. The goal is to provide an education benefit to the southern area of the County to reduce overcrowding at Accokeek Academy.

AERIAL MAP

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The new school location is the most viable option because of the size of the two parcels (29.78 acres), the intended student population of 2,000, and associated site amenities. Prince George’s County Board of Education approved the combined Southern K-8 Middle School construction because the new school will provide the most effective academic programs to students in this portion of the County.

P3 Schools Locations

PROJECT DESCRIPTION The proposed Southern K-8 Middle School is a 4-story building of approximately 234,000 square-feet designed to accommodate approximately 2,000 students. The proposed design comprises two primary blocks connected by a unifying central area housing standard building with functions such as physical education, creative & performing arts spaces, dining, foodservice, and utility infrastructure spaces. The 4-story block on the south will house the administration spaces and the middle school, while the 3-story block to the north will house the kindergarten and elementary school. The proposed building height is approximately 59’ 4” from the finished floor elevation to the highest parapet, including approximately 12’ 2” inches to the rooftop mechanical equipment. The project will be designed to the equivalent of Leader in Environmental Energy Design (LEED) Silver. This will include matching the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) process and credit tracking forms with oversight and credit confirmation by a third-party independent engineer. The design will also follow requirements for LEED for schools. The school design will incorporate numerous strategies for reducing the impact of the site in the community, reducing water consumption, optimizing energy usage, utilizing recycled materials, managing construction waste, and enhancing the quality of the indoor environment. PROJECT SCHEDULE / HOURS OF OPERATION The construction of the new school is planned to commence on July 6, 2021. The construction site will be open Monday through Saturday with occasional Sunday work. The site will be available for workers at approximately 6:00 am, with construction activities beginning at 7:00 am. A general construction schedule is outlined below:

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• Grading Permit and Site Utilities: June 2021 – August 2021 • Building Foundation Work: November 2021 • Building Water-Tight: October 2022 • Start-Up HVAC: November 2022 • Initiate Interior Finishes: December 2022 • Building Commissioning and Inspection: March 2023 – May 2023 • Fixture, Furniture, and Equipment: May 2023 • New School Readiness Inspection and Turnover: July 2023

The hours of operation for the school will be 7:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday through Friday. The school health clinic will be available for outside use via a separate exterior entrance during non-school hours. OUTREACH & PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Planning Department: Notices were mailed to abutting and confronting property owners and area civic associations. Applicant's Coordination with Stakeholders: As part of the PGCPS Blueprint Schools, a community outreach website was created to share information with the public. New Southern K-8 Middle School Public Meetings were held on:

• Tantallon Square Area Civic Association - May 13, 2020 • Tantallon Square Area Civic Association: October 14, 2020 • South County Community Roundtable: October 28, 2020 • Project Planning Committee Meeting Kick-Off Meeting: November 13, 2020

PROJECT ANALYSIS

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC), Prince George's County Planning Department staff have reviewed the information provided for the proposed Southern K-8 Middle School and provided the following comments: 1. CONSISTENCY WITH APPROVED PLANS

This application is consistent with the 2014 Plan Prince George's 2035, which designates the site in the Established Communities. Page 233 of the 2014 Plan emphasizes the critical need for renovations to existing facilities (including schools) and the construction of replacement facilities. Page 237 of the 2014 Plan recognizes the importance of alternative funding sources for facility renovation and replacement such as public / private partnerships, as proposed with this school facility. The subject application also conforms with the land use recommendations for the 2006 Approved Master Plan and sectional map amendment (SMA) for the Henson Creek-South Potomac Planning Area. The Henson Creek-South Potomac SMA retained the property in the R-O-S Zone.

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2. CONSISTENCY WITH DEVELOPMENT/REGULATORY STANDARDS

Landscape Plan Rendering

Site Design: The new building will have access points from both Fort Washington Road and East Swan Creek Road. The parking lot will be located to the south of the building. There will be 44 bus parking spaces, 145 standard parking spaces, and seven American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant, van-accessible spaces. The drive aisles will be 22-feet-wide. The loading area will contain two dumpsters with a concrete enclosure. The site will have a multipurpose athletic field and softball field located in the eastern portion of the site. The pedestrian walkways on site will be 6-feet-wide. Architecture: The new building consists of elementary and middle school components and shares administration and other supporting sections. The building complex has varying heights, with the highest portion at four stories. The building facades are to be primarily clad with a combination of brick veneer and metal paneling. Exterior cladding consists of a brick veneer base, insulated metal panels, and a glazed aluminum storefront. The insulated metal panel system is arranged with varying textures, colors, and patterns to create an appropriate scale and aesthetic in the community. The colors for the exterior elevations indicated on the drawings show the overall approach to treating the façade and building massing. Landscaping: The project is exempt from the requirements of the 2010 Prince George's County Landscape Manual. The Urban Design Section notes that similar projects would be required to demonstrate conformance with the following sections of the Landscape Manual:

4.2 Landscape strips along streets Requirements, 4.3 Parking Lot Requirements, 4.4 Screening Requirements, 4.7 Buffering Incompatible Uses, and 4.9 Sustainable Landscaping Requirements.

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A landscape plan was submitted with this application and shows landscaping onsite that is generally acceptable. Landscape plantings and stormwater bioretention facilities are provided around the new school building, parking areas, and around the site's periphery. The landscape design is practical and will create aesthetically pleasing school grounds. Consideration should be given to incorporate additional basic landscape features to expand learning opportunities on school grounds. Consider installing pollinator gardens, incorporating interpretive/educational signage about green buildings and stormwater facilities, or providing other unique features to create an exciting landscape for learning. Lighting: A photometric study was provided with this application and is acceptable. Full cut-off lighting fixtures are shown and are highly encouraged to reduce light pollution and limit glare onto the adjacent properties. Tree Canopy Coverage (TCC): Properties located in the R-O-S Zone would typically require 15 percent of the property to be covered in the tree canopy. The application includes a Tree Canopy Coverage Schedule, stating that the TCC requirement has been met. However, the TCC schedule shows that 147,015 square-feet is required, and only 109,607 square-feet is provided. Total acreage in the TCC schedule should be the gross tract area of the site. The applicant is encouraged to revise the tree conservation plan (TCP) schedule to include all landscaping on the site and propose any additional landscaping needed to supplement the amount of the proposed landscaping in conformance with the Tree Canopy Coverage Ordinance. Signage: The application also proposes signage onsite, including building-mounted, freestanding, and wayfinding signs. However, sign design details were not included with the application. The proposed signage should be compatible with the surrounding neighborhoods and incorporate the sign design standards of the Prince George's County Board of Education.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT The site has a Natural Resource Inventory (NRI-004-2021) approved on February 8, 2021. The entire site is wooded with 19 specimen trees identified on the NRI and has no existing structures. This site is located within two watersheds (Broad Creek and Swan Creek), which both flow into the Potomac River. Regulated Environmental Features (REF) are present onsite, which include two isolated wetlands and wetland buffers that comprise the Primary Management Area (PMA). In a letter dated January 8, 2020, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Natural Heritage Program (DNR NHP) determined that there were no official State/Federal records of protected plant or animal species within the project area. The site is located within Environmental Strategy Area 2 of the Regulated Environmental Protection Areas Map as designated by Plan Prince George’s 2035 Approved General Plan. The Countywide Green Infrastructure Plan of the Approved Prince George’s Resource Conservation Plan (Mary 2017) shows that the entire property contains both Regulated and Evaluation network features, based on the location of the existing wetlands and associated buffers. The site is not exempt from the provisions of the Prince George’s County Woodland and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Ordinance (WCO), because the proposed activity will result in more than 20,000 square-feet of woodland clearing. Under a separate application process, a Type 2 Tree Conservation Plan (TCP) is currently being reviewed for conformance with the WCO. The TCP is required as part of the permit review and approval.

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A variance from Section 25-122(b)(1)(G) to remove 10 of the 19 onsite specimen trees is also currently under review with this TCP2. The trees proposed to be removed range in condition from fair to excellent. The 19 specimen trees are scattered throughout the project area. Regulated Environmental Features/Primary Management Area (PMA): There are Regulated Environmental Features (REF) and Primary Management Area (PMA) on the subject property. There are two elongated wetland areas located in the eastern half of the property. These two wetland systems drain to adjacent storm drain inlet pipes. As part of this application, the applicant proposes to impact these onsite wetlands and wetland buffers for required road improvements for East Swan Creek Road, and interior road grading and construction. Before these wetland areas can be impacted, a Joint Application needs to be filed, reviewed, and approved by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE). These federal and state wetland permits must be included with the permit package for the grading of this site. Stormwater Management: A Stormwater Management (SWM) Concept Approval Letter (#52470-2020-00) and associated plan were submitted with the application for this site. The approval was issued on March 9, 2021 for this project from the Prince George County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE). The plan proposes to construct seven micro-bioretention areas and two submerged gravel wetland areas as required by DPIE for full Environmental Site Design (ESD) treatment. No stormwater management fee for onsite attenuation/quality control measures is required. The applicant must coordinate with DPIE for compliance with stormwater regulations during final design. Soils: According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Web Soil Survey (WSS), the predominant soils found to occur on the site are Beltsville-Urban land complex, Liverpool-Piccowaxen complex, Matapeake silt loam, Piccowaxen-Liverpool complex, Piccowaxen-Urban land complex, Sassafras sandy loam, and Sassafras -Urban Land complex. No unsafe soils containing Marlboro or Christiana clays were identified onsite or in the vicinity of this site.

4. MOUNT VERNON VIEWSHED ANALYSIS This issue is discussed in greater detail in the memo from the Environmental Planning Section, dated April 21, 2021. The Mount Vernon Viewshed Area of Primary Concern (APC) is a topographically defined area, which is used to model the visibility of a structure placed within the delineated viewshed from the front porch of George Washington’s Mount Vernon home. The Mount Vernon Viewshed APC area is identified in The Countywide Green Infrastructure Plan (GIP) of the Approved Prince George’s Resource Conservation Plan (May 2017), as the Piscataway Park and Mount Vernon Viewshed SCA (Special Conservation Area). During land development, proposals relative to the SCA need to be reviewed to ensure the areas are protected. Per the approved Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) the project is located within the Viewshed APC. Based upon 3D modeling of the viewshed it was determined that the only portion of the proposed building that would impact the viewshed was the 59’ 4” tall segment on the southern side of the building. Further review indicated that this section of the building would need to be reduced to 53’ 4” in height to provide complete screening from the viewshed. This represents a 6’ reduction in the building height at this location. The applicant indicated that a reduction in height would not meet their design needs and was not an option.

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Other recommended mitigation measures include preservation of existing forest cover and modified siting of the building. In the subject case, due to onsite environmental limitations, none of the existing trees are proposed to be retained on the western boundary of the property, which would provide screening. Additionally, given the elevation of the property, moving the structure on the site would provide little screening or mitigation. The applicant indicated that there is some flexibility for use of materials that are not “shiny”, as well as for the use of darker, earth-toned colors to blend with the surrounding landscape that would not attract the attention of the viewer. In order to lessen the viewshed impacts staff recommend the following:

• Every effort should be made to provide visual mitigation of the structural elements above the

height of 53’ 4”. • Provide screening for rooftop mechanical equipment to the greatest extent possible from the

three public rights-of-way near the facility; and • To the extent practical, adjust the site design and provide one row of larger shade trees

between Fort Washington Road and the western elevation of the building, further reduce the viewshed impact.

5. TRANSPORTATION ASSESSMENT

Fort Washington Road (C-722) and Swan Creek Road (C-723) are listed as master plan facilities in the 2009 Approved Countywide Master Plan of Transportation (MPOT). They are both listed as collector roadways with a proposed right-of-way of 80 feet and two to four lanes. They are also listed as master plan pedestrian and bicycle facilities with planned bicycle lanes. There are two proposed site access points, both allowing ingress and egress. One site access offered along Swan Creek Road will allow both buses and vehicles, while the other site access point is proposed along Fort Washington Road and will only allow vehicles. The bus loop and the student drop-off area are adjacent to each other and both are in front of the school building but have separate entryways. There are several parking areas provided for vehicles. Bus parking is provided in the bus loop. The proposed sidewalks within the site are concrete and at least 6-feet-wide. The proposed sidewalk should meet ADA requirements. The sidewalks will connect throughout the site. The vicinity area of the proposed school currently has minimal pedestrian and bicycle amenities. There is a sidewalk along the Swan Creek Road frontage from Fort Washington Road to MD 210, which continues to the north. There is currently no sidewalk along the Fort Washington Road frontage. However, a sidewalk is proposed. Even though the sidewalks are not connected to the neighborhood, this sidewalk will be utilized as there are two bus stops along Fort Washington frontage, one to the far north and one to the far south of the site access. The site access point along Fort Washington Road could require some traffic control to assist student arrival during morning and afternoon peak hours. The traffic study recommends that a police officer or crossing guard manage the traffic flow during the morning and afternoon peak hours. Such control will provide the functionality of traffic signalization by allowing for easier egress of vehicles and enhancing safety for drivers and pedestrians, and staff agrees with that recommendation.

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6. HISTORIC PRESERVATION/ARCHEOLOGY The applicant's archeological consultant conducted a Phase I archeology survey on the subject property. A few isolated artifacts were identified on the site. No archeological sites were at the site, and no further work is needed. Historic Preservation staff concur that no additional archeological investigations are necessary on the subject property. The subject property does not contain and is not adjacent to any designated Prince George's County Historic Sites or resources.

7. ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT It is anticipated that the new school construction will create over 400 new County jobs to procure over $127 million from minority business enterprise (MBE) / Disabled Business Enterprise (DBE) and County-based businesses.

8. POLICE AND FIRE SERVICE Police and Fire Service is provided by Police District VII, Fort Washington, located at 11108 Fort Washington Road in Fort Washington, and the Silesia Volunteer Fire/EMS Co. #847, located at 10900 Fort Washington Road in Fort Washington.

9. PERMITTING AGENCIES The Mandatory Referral review process does not exempt any project from meeting any other entitlement process requirements. If applicable, the subject application may be required to receive final approvals from the following agencies as outlined below before the project can be implemented:

a. Prince George’s County, Soil Conservation District (PGCSCD): • Sediment and Erosion Control

b. Prince George’s County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE): • Fine Grading Permit • Building Permit • Final Stormwater Management Plan Permit

c. Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC): • Onsite water and sewer

d. Maryland Department of the Environment: • General discharge permit

STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: A review of the proposed Southern K-8 Middle School resulted in the following recommendations:

1. The applicant should file a Joint Application with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) and include wetland permits with the grading review package for the site.

2. The applicant should adhere to the State of Maryland regulations regarding particulate matter pollution and noise during the project's construction phase.

3. The applicant should incorporate interpretive signage and plant identification tags for gardens.

4. The applicant should install pollinator gardens, incorporate interpretive/educational signage

about green buildings and stormwater facilities, or provide other unique features to create an exciting landscape for learning.

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5. The applicant should screen the rooftop mechanical equipment from the public right-of-way abutting the site to the extent practical.

6. The applicant should minimize impacts to the Mount Vernon Viewshed Area by using darker or

earth-toned colors on the roof to blend with the surrounding landscape.

7. The applicant shall revise the Tree Canopy Coverage (TCC) schedule and provide an adequate amount of landscaping to meet the requirements of the Tree Canopy Coverage Ordinance.

8. The applicant should provide a row of large-sized shade trees between Fort Washington Road and the western elevation of the proposed building, to the extent practical.

9. The applicant should ensure that matching building materials are used for the enclosed

dumpster.

10. The applicant should install 6-foot-wide sidewalk(s) at the Fort Washington Road site frontage.

11. The traffic study recommends that a police officer or crossing guard control traffic flow at the Fort Washington Road and Emerald Hill Drive access points during the morning and afternoon peak hours. Such control will provide the functionality of traffic signalization by allowing for easier egress of vehicles and enhancing safety for drivers and pedestrians.

12. Although the applicant is providing bicycle racks, Inverted U-shaped bicycle racks are preferred by the County.

13. The applicant should provide clean drinking water, such as water bottles, refill stations, and fountains for students, students, and recreational users.