Peter Shapiro, a fan of major targeted growth in Prince George’s County, looks poised to take the helm of a powerful, independent planning body.
Shapiro’s nomination by County Executive Angela Alsobrooks will go before the county council Friday, awaiting a confirmation vote within the following three weeks. If approved, he’d succeed Elizabeth Hewlett as chair of the Prince George’s County Planning Board, a quasi-judicial entity that oversees the county’s planning and parks and rec functions. The board, along with its Montgomery County counterpart, comprises the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, a state-chartered agency that administers land use policy for both counties.
It’s an atypically powerful role. Municipalities routinely delegate certain powers, such as deciding zoning appeals or parcel subdivisions, to appointed bodies. But generally whole departmental functions fall under a central administration, directly accountable to the local legislature.
