SUITLAND - Prince George's County Planning Department

DESIGN STANDARDS ANDGUIDELINESThe Suitland Mixed-Use Town Centerenvisioned through these design standardsand guidelines during the rezoning process isan attractive place with the following majorphysical features:g A compact built environment with apedestrian-friendly and well-landscapedtown center core with mixed-use buildingsthat have pedestrian-oriented storefronts.g Concentrations of uses and buildings inthe core area through different forms ofmixed-use development where visitors canaccomplish multiple tasks with one trip andreduce the use of automobiles.g Human-scaled, contextually designedbuildings defining spaces in the town centercore area and providing visual interest.g Attractive, walkable and safe public spaceswith well-designed public amenities thatserve as the focus of activity.g Buildings located close to the street withwide sidewalks where people shop, socializeand recreate.g Parking as an integrated element of sitedesign in an unobtrusive, secondary andcreative physical arrangement.ApplicabilityThe design standards and guidelines areapplicable to any new development and exteriorrenovation of buildings that are located withinthe boundary of Suitland Mixed-Use TownCenter Zone, unless otherwise noted, including:g Buildingsg Additionsg Exterior renovationsg New entrance and window treatmentsg Signsg FencingThese standards replace requirements thatare set forth in the Zoning Ordinance and theLandscape Manual and set requirements for site,building, and public space design, includingbuild-to lines, fencing, buffers, landscaping,parking, streetscape, building height,architectural form and detailing, signage,lighting, stormwater management, parks, andplazas. Subdivisions shall be reviewed forcompliance with relevant standards such asthose affecting circulation.The design standards and guidelines alsoestablish a new design review procedure thatconsolidates the existing development reviewprocess. The design review in the Suitlandmixed-use town center features more extensivecitizen participation and is more responsive tothe local development needs.The enactment of the design guidelines,however, does not amend any other countyregulations, such as building codes, and federalstatutes, such as the Americans with DisabilitiesAct. All sidewalks and access to publicbuildings shall comply with the Americans withDisabilities Act.Under the Zoning Ordinance, and for thepurposes of this Mixed-Use Town CenterZone, development is any activity thatmaterially affects the condition or use of landor a structure. Redevelopment, rehabilitation,and renovation of existing structures are allforms of development. A change from a lowerintensity impact use to a higher intensityimpact use, as indicated in Table II in Section4.7 of the Landscape Manual, is also a form ofdevelopment.Development that increases existing grossfloor area (GFA) by 15 percent or 7,500 squarefeet, whichever is smaller, shall subject the siteto full review for compliance with the designstandards. Lesser changes to the site, andadditions to single-family residential dwellings,shall not subject the entire site to review forcompliance, only the portion impacted by theimprovement.The following are exempt from the full orpartial review for conformance with themixed-use town center design standards andguidelines:1. Additions of less than 250 square feetin GFA and additions to single-familyresidential dwellings shall be exempt fromthe requirements of the building placementand streetscape sections.2. Routine maintenance. Repair of legallyexisting development or improvements shallnot be subject to the design standards andguidelines.As set forth in Section 27-108.01 of the ZoningOrdinance, “the words ‘shall,’ ‘must,’ ‘mayonly,’ or ‘may not’ are always mandatorystandards and not discretionary. The word‘may’ is permissive. The words ‘including’ and‘such as’ do not limit a term to the specifiedexamples, but are intended to extend itsmeaning to all other instances or circumstancesof like kind or character.”Approved Suitland Mixed-Use Town Center Zone Development Plan