Prince George’s County will consider using impact fees to discourage sprawl and encourage more apartments near Metro stations.

At a recent briefing on long-term goals, planners with the county and the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission said they will be looking into raising fees on developers when they build farther out in the county and lowering them in areas around transit stations.

That could have a huge impact on the Route 1 corridor, as it would supercharge already strong growth around the West Hyattsville and Hyattsville Crossing Metro stations as well as future Purple Line stations in Riverdale Park and College Park.

According to WTOP, Derick Berlage with the MNCPPC said at the meeting that the shift in impact fees would ensure that builders are helping offset the costs of things like new roads, water and sewer lines needed for sprawling new developments.

“We think there should be a conversation about that, to make sure that development, especially development outside the Beltway is actually paying its appropriate share,” he said.

Any change in impact fees would require county officials to approve it and possibly the state legislature as well.

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