In a tense meeting at Prince George's County Council, developers and stakeholders voiced urgent concerns over new police response time standards that threaten to halt residential projects across the county. The atmosphere was charged as Thomas Haller, representing several affected clients, highlighted a crisis in development applications, revealing that half of the county is unable to move forward with residential projects due to updated police adequacy numbers.

Haller detailed the devastating impact of these changes, citing a senior housing project that had previously received approval but was now facing rejection based on the new data. He emphasized the financial strain on developers who have already invested significant resources into their projects, only to have the rules change unexpectedly. “It’s like pulling the rug out from under them,” he lamented, urging the council to support legislation that would provide clarity and stability.

Judd Ellum, a representative from a major affordable housing developer, echoed these sentiments, expressing frustration over the retroactive application of fees that were not factored into initial project budgets. He warned that this unpredictability could jeopardize the financial feasibility of urgently needed housing, contradicting the county's goals for equity and access.

The meeting also featured Casey Anderson from Rogers Consulting, who presented stark financial implications of maintaining the current policy. He warned that if the police response time standards remain in place, four identified projects could generate zero revenue for the county, resulting in a loss of over $123 million in potential development surcharges and public safety fees.

As the discussions unfolded, council members grappled with the balance between ensuring public safety and fostering economic development. Some expressed skepticism about the connection between development and police response times, questioning whether the current approach was the best way to address public safety concerns.

The meeting concluded with a call for a reevaluation of the retroactive fee policy and a push for more transparent guidelines moving forward. Stakeholders left the council chambers with a mix of hope and apprehension, aware that the decisions made in the coming weeks could significantly shape the future of housing and development in Prince George's County.