Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has proposed a drastic change in Maryland zoning law to promote construction of more affordable homes, but state officials who represent College Park are divided on whether it would be a good thing.

Moore has introduced a bill in the Maryland General Assembly—SB 36 in the Senate and HB 239 in the House of Delegates—that would prohibit local governments from requiring more than 5,000 square feet of property per single-family house.

That would allow developers to build at least eight houses per acre. Prince George’s County’s current zoning categories for single-family detached houses allow only one, two, four or six houses per acre.

In addition, Moore’s legislation would not allow localities to prevent builders from constructing townhouses on property zoned for single-family homes.

House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk (District 21), who represents College Park, is a strong advocate of Moore’s proposal.

“Maryland has a housing shortage of roughly 100,000 homes,” Peña-Melnyk said in an email. “It shows up as higher rents, fewer starter homes, longer commutes and families being priced out of the communities they love.”

She added: “When people can’t afford to live here, we lose workers. We lose families. And we lose the economic growth that allows us to fund schools, transportation and public safety. That is a budget issue—and a quality-of-life issue—all rolled into one.”

Peña-Melnyk said Moore’s legislation “recognizes a simple truth: We need more housing choices. Smaller homes. Townhouses. Accessory dwelling units. Homes that work for young families, seniors and first-time buyers. One-size-fits-all zoning no longer reflects how Marylanders live.”

State Sen. Jim Rosapepe (District 21), who also represents College Park, is less enthusiastic.

“I think the administration’s heart is in the right place,” he said in an interview. “I think they have focused too much on the zoning issues and not enough on practical issues.”

Rosapepe said plenty of land already zoned for single-family housing is not being used.

“We need to attract developers to build in areas that are zoned for it,” he said.

Rosapepe added that the state should do more to promote the construction of homes near MARC train stations, such as the one on Bowdoin Avenue in College Park.

“That’s where the energy ought to be going,” he said.

In fact, Moore issued an executive order in September for his administration to seek out opportunities to convert state-owned land, such as at MARC stations, into housing developments.

Prince George’s County Councilmember Tom Dernoga (District 1) said he opposes Moore’s proposal.

In a Jan. 20 newsletter to constituents, he said, “As drafted, the governor’s SB 36 is a sprawl multiplier which will worsen congestion, pollution, school overcrowding and will strain public safety resources.”

Dernoga, who represents part of College Park, said the county already has an overabundance of small single-family houses, and this has stunted the county’s tax base, which is significantly lower than that of surrounding counties.

Hearings on the governor’s legislation are scheduled for Feb. 4 in the Senate and Feb. 12 in the House of Delegates.