Bowie-Mitchellville and Vicinity Master Plan and Sectional Map Amendment

The Preliminary Master Plan for Bowie-Mitchellville and Vicinity Master Plan was approved by the Prince George's County District Council in early 2022 (see County/District Council resolution). The Master Plan provides a vision for the City of Bowie and portions of the Mitchellville and Collington areas, and describes how the plan area will grow and evolve over the next 25 years. It identifies strategies to achieve economic success for this part of the County by recommending: 

  • an increased mix of land uses at the Bowie Local Town Center,
  • expanded economic development opportunities at the Free State Shopping Center/Bowie Marketplace area along MD 450 (Annapolis Road) and the Collington Local Employment Area,
  • revitalized Old Town Bowie, and 
  • strategic investment along US 301/MD 3 (Robert Crain Highway), MD 450 (Annapolis Road), and MD 197 (Collington/Laurel Bowie Road).

This is a comprehensive master plan that contains recommendations for nine elements: Land Use and Comprehensive Zoning, Economic Prosperity, Transportation and Mobility, Natural Environment, Housing and Neighborhoods, Community Heritage, Culture, and Design, Healthy Communities, and Public Facilities specific to Bowie-Mitchellville and Vicinity. Click here for a video of the September 20, 2021, and here for the City's position letter on the Plan. 

  1. Master Planning Explained
  2. Master plan sectional map amendment 
  3. Other Useful Links

Master Plan Explained

For planning purposes, the County is divided into seven subregions, which are further divided into 36 planning areas. Each planning area is a fairly cohesive district that is typically bounded by a major highway, political boundary, and/or a natural border such as a stream valley.  Master plans may be prepared for an individual planning area, group of planning areas, or entire subregions.  Master plans provide specific recommendations on the environment, historic preservation, living areas and housing, commercial areas, employment areas, urban design, circulation and transportation (including highways and mass transit), and public facilities. Where appropriate, some plans may cover additional issues such as economic development and neighborhood revitalization. 

Master plans also address the adequacy of public facilities. Land use proposals are analyzed for their impact on schools, police, fire, rescue, libraries, health, parks, and trails. Recommendations are then made to correct any projected deficiencies of these public services and assets. In addition, an analysis of the balance between the proposed land uses and the proposed transportation system is undertaken. The master plans are the final authority on highway and mass transit right-of-way land reservations. The planned land uses become the basis for decisions on where new schools, fire stations, and other public facilities will be needed in the future. Master plans are also used to guide decisions on zoning change, special exceptions, and subdivision applications. Probably the most important function of the area master plans is that they are used as the basis for comprehensive rezoning (sectional map amendments).