Prince George's County Historic Preservation Commission

Prince George's County Historic Preservation Commission
Name	Prince George's County Historic Preservation Commission
Location	Largo, Maryland
Established	1978
Governing body	Prince George's County, Maryland

Prince George's County Historic Preservation Commission is the local administrative body responsible for identifying, designating, and protecting historic resources in Prince George's County, Maryland. The commission interacts with state and federal entities such as the Maryland Historical Trust, the National Park Service, and the Historic Preservation Commission (United States) framework while coordinating with municipal partners including Hyattsville, Maryland, Bowie, Maryland, and Landover, Maryland. Its work connects to broader preservation practices exemplified by programs like the National Register of Historic Places, the Certified Local Government program, and state-level tax incentive initiatives.

History

The commission was created in the late 20th century amid preservation movements influenced by the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the establishment of the Maryland Historical Trust, and local initiatives in Prince George's County, Maryland. Early activity involved surveys of historic resources in towns such as Bladensburg, Maryland, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and Riverdale Park, Maryland and collaborations with institutions like Howard University and University of Maryland, College Park. Over subsequent decades the commission's scope expanded alongside regional developments tied to projects at Washington Metro stations, infrastructure projects by the Maryland Department of Transportation, and suburban growth pressures from Montgomery County, Maryland and Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Influences on its policies included landmark preservation cases and standards from the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and legal precedents in Maryland courts.

Authority and Legal Framework

The commission exercises powers derived from local ordinances enacted by the Prince George's County, Maryland Council and coordinates with state statutes administered by the Maryland Department of Planning and the Maryland Historical Trust. Its regulatory authority is framed by provisions related to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and interacts with federal review procedures such as Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The commission's decisions intersect with land-use review systems overseen by the Prince George's County Planning Board, zoning administered by the Prince George's County Zoning Ordinance, and environmental review protocols affiliated with the Maryland Environmental Service.

Designation Process and Criteria

Designation of historic districts and landmarks follows criteria adapted from the National Register of Historic Places and the Maryland Register of Historic Properties. Nominations originate from stakeholders including local historical societies such as the Prince George's County Historical Society, property owners in communities like Seat Pleasant, Maryland and Accokeek, Maryland, and municipal governments such as College Park, Maryland. The review process engages professionals listed in the National Council on Public History, historic architects associated with the American Institute of Architects and consultants familiar with Historic American Buildings Survey. Decisions consider integrity, association with events like the War of 1812 or figures such as Frederick Douglass, and architectural significance exemplified in styles like Georgian architecture, Federal architecture, and Victorian architecture.

Preservation Programs and Activities

The commission administers local preservation incentives parallel to programs offered by the Maryland Historical Trust, including rehabilitation standards, technical guidance, and advocacy similar to initiatives by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Preservation Maryland organization. Programs include historic resource surveys, easement coordination with entities like Legacy Landscapes Fund, outreach with schools such as Prince George's Community College, and partnerships with transportation projects by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to mitigate impacts. The commission also supports cultural heritage tourism linked to sites associated with Anacostia River history, African American history, and colonial-era places like Belair Mansion.

Notable Districts and Landmarks

Designated districts and landmarks include historic cores in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, the courthouse complex, waterfront sites near the Potomac River, and residential districts in Hyattsville, Maryland and Bladensburg, Maryland. Properties tied to nationally significant narratives include connections to Frederick Douglass, sites associated with the Underground Railroad, plantation-era sites comparable to Belair Mansion (Prince George's County), and architecture documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey. The commission’s roll complements listings in the National Register of Historic Places in Prince George's County, Maryland and state registers maintained by the Maryland Historical Trust.

Membership, Administration, and Funding

Members are appointed by the Prince George's County Executive and confirmed by the Prince George's County Council and frequently include preservation professionals drawn from organizations like the National Trust for Historic Preservation, academics from the University of Maryland, College Park, and representatives of groups such as the Prince George's County Historical Society. Administrative support is provided by county staff coordinated with the Prince George's County Planning Department and legal counsel connected to the Prince George's County Office of Law. Funding sources combine county appropriations, grants from the Maryland Historical Trust, federal programs under the National Park Service, and private philanthropy from foundations similar to the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Controversies and Criticisms

Critiques of the commission reflect tensions recorded in debates involving development interests tied to projects like National Harbor, Maryland and transit-oriented development stations planned near New Carrollton station and Greenbelt station, conflicts over property rights raised by stakeholders similar to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) members, and disputes over historic district boundaries in municipalities such as Bowie, Maryland and Riverdale Park, Maryland. Other controversies involve perceived inconsistencies with preservation outcomes promoted by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and challenges balancing affordable housing concerns with landmark protection, echoing broader debates involving entities like the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and advocacy groups such as the American Planning Association.

Category:Prince George's County, Maryland Category:Historic preservation in Maryland