Mayor & City Council

Public Comment Tuesday, January 13, 2026 Muslim American Heritage Month From: Justin/Dauwd <dauwd1@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, January 5, 2026 12:43 PM To: cpmc <cpmc@collegeparkmd.gov> Subject: Support for Muslim American Heritage Month Hello, My name is Justin Mavins and I am a former resident of College Park. I would like to support the idea of making January Muslim American Heritage Month for College Park. Due to College Parks multicultural diversity and Muslims being part of this community it would be great for the Muslims living there as well as creating awareness for the other residents. Thank you. Sincerely, Justin Mavins Muslim American Heritage Month From: Syed Hassan <syedkamrul@yahoo.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 6, 2026 11:24 AM To: cpmc <cpmc@collegeparkmd.gov> Subject: Ptoclamation Rewuest: Muslim American Heritage Month Dear Mayor and Council, I am writing to request your support in having the City formally recognize January as Muslim American Heritage Month through a proclamation. Such a recognition would honor the contributions of Muslim Americans in College Park and further highlight our city’s commitment to celebrating diversity and inclusion. Thank you for your time and consideration. Warm regards, Syed Hassan Muslim American Heritage Month From: Zainab Chaudry <zchaudry@cair.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 6, 2026 4:10 PM To: cpmc <cpmc@collegeparkmd.gov>; Fazlul Kabir <fkabir@collegeparkmd.gov> Subject: Re: Support for Muslim American Heritage Month Dear Mayor Kabir, Councilmembers, On behalf of the Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), America’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, I am writing to request you to formally recognize the month of January as Muslim American Heritage Month. Muslim Americans are an integral part of the American story including right here in the City of College Park. For generations, they have served our country as educators, small- business owners, healthcare professionals, public servants, artists, scientists, and neighbors. Their contributions are woven into every level of civic life - often quietly, consistently, and with deep commitment to the common good. Recognizing Muslim American Heritage Month is not about elevating one community above another. It is about acknowledging a history that has too often been erased or overlooked and affirming a basic truth: that the diversity of our communities is a source of strength. Heritage months exist to ensure that our shared narrative reflects all who help shape it. My office recorded over 340 hate bias incidents and requests for assistance in Maryland in 2025, including from many students at the University of Maryland College Park. We know this number is significantly under-reported. At a time when misinformation and bias continue to impact Muslim communities nationwide, formal recognition also carries an important civic message. It signals that Muslim residents belong, are valued, and are full participants in public life. For young people especially, seeing their identity respected in public institutions fosters inclusion, confidence, and civic engagement. This recognition also benefits the broader community. It creates space for learning, dialogue, and connection. It encourages residents of different backgrounds to better understand one another’s histories and traditions - an essential ingredient for mutual respect and social cohesion. Supporting Muslim American Heritage Month affirms foundational American values: religious freedom, equal dignity, and pluralism. It reflects a commitment to ensuring that public recognition keeps pace with the lived reality of our diverse society. I respectfully urge support for this recognition and thank you for your time, consideration, and commitment to inclusive civic life. Sincerely, Zainab Chaudry, Pharm.D. Director, CAIR Maryland Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Muslim American Heritage Month From: arelis@arelisperez.com <arelis@arelisperez.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 4:11 PM To: cpmc <cpmc@collegeparkmd.gov> Subject: Support for Muslim American Heritage Month Proclamation – January Importance: High 01.12.26 Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council, I am writing as a College Park resident to express my sincere support for the proposed Muslim American Heritage Month proclamation scheduled on the upcoming consent agenda for January. Recognizing Muslim American Heritage Month is a meaningful way to honor the rich cultural, civic, and historical contributions of Muslim Americans to our city and our nation. Proclamations such as this affirm College Park’s commitment to inclusivity, respect, and mutual understanding among our diverse residents. I appreciate the Mayor and Council’s continued efforts to foster a welcoming community where all residents feel seen, valued, and respected. Thank you for your leadership and for supporting initiatives that reflect the values of unity and cultural appreciation in College Park as we continue to strive as "One College Park!" With gratitude, Arelis 4810 Branchville Road From: arelis@arelisperez.com <arelis@arelisperez.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 4:49 PM To: cpmc <cpmc@collegeparkmd.gov> Cc: Alan Hew <ahew@collegeparkmd.gov>; Jacob Hernandez <jhernandez@collegeparkmd.gov>; Kenneth Young <kyoung@collegeparkmd.gov>; Michelle Johnson <mcjohnson@haccp.agency>; Maria Mackie <mmackie@collegeparkmd.gov>; Fazlul Kabir <fkabir@collegeparkmd.gov> Subject: Parking Impacts and Equity Concerns Related to Proposed Development - 4810 Branchville Road Importance: High 01.13.26 Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council, I am writing as both a College Park resident and the Board Chair of the Housing Authority to formally express serious concern regarding the proposed development project and, specifically, the continued lack of adequate parking planning in the area surrounding Attick Towers. The issue of insufficient parking is not new to our community, nor is it hypothetical. Since 1972, Attick Towers has provided housing for 108 public housing units with only 43 on-site parking spaces. For more than five decades, residents have faced daily challenges related to limited parking availability, accessibility, safety, and overall quality of life as a direct result of this imbalance. In light of this long-standing reality, the parking limitations associated with the current project proposal are particularly concerning. Any development that further strains already inadequate parking infrastructure risks compounding the challenges faced by public housing residents who have historically experienced under-planning and under- investment. Public housing residents deserve the same level of thoughtful consideration afforded to other neighborhoods throughout College Park. Parking capacity, accessibility for seniors and persons with disabilities, emergency vehicle access, and accommodations for visitors are not secondary considerations — they are essential infrastructure needs that directly impact resident well-being and neighborhood stability. I respectfully urge the Mayor and Council to carefully evaluate the parking impacts of this project, particularly as they relate to Attick Towers, and to consider equitable, long- term planning solutions that do not perpetuate conditions that have existed unresolved for decades. Development should enhance our city without disproportionately burdening communities that have already endured systemic limitations. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss these concerns further and to work collaboratively toward solutions that reflect fairness, foresight, and respect for all College Park residents. Thank you for your time, consideration, and continued service to our community. Respectfully submitted, Arelis Perez (College Park Resident and Board Chair - HACCP) 4810 Branchville Road From: Llatetra <llatetra@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 5:39 PM To: cpmc <cpmc@collegeparkmd.gov> Cc: cityclerkoffice <cityclerkoffice@collegeparkmd.gov> Subject: Review and Dis cussion of Detailed Site Plan - Branchville Crossing Mayor and Council, Although I am encouraged to see that the most recent iteration of a development plan for this parcel of land is for affordable senior housing, I continue to have the same concerns I expressed about this proposed development while still on Council. First, the location of this development is in close proximity to University Boulevard, which is a major thoroughfare where, unfortunately, there is often noise from speeding vehicles. I am glad to see that staff has discussed refined features to address noise mitigation. Secondly, I am very concerned that there is reliance upon a traffic study that was originally done in the location almost 39 years ago. Regardless of what is legally required, I think it would be irresponsible not to conduct a more recent traffic study of the area. Needless to say, this community has grown and developed in significant ways over the last 39 years. Unfortunately, the developer has not followed through on at least 3 proposals in the last 39 years and I note that could be for a variety of valid reasons. However, the members of this community should not have to deal with issues related to increased traffic issues and challenges with egress and ingress into this section of Branchville because it is not legally required. If the developer has a sincere interest in contributing to the community in a significant way, by providing affordable housing for seniors, they should also make every effort to ensure they understand how this development will impact the community and mitigate issues where possible. They have already taken 39 years to get to this current proposal, why not take the time to do a traffic study? Lastly, the section of Branchville located in this area is a bit isolated and close knit. I do hope that my Council representatives will ensure they engage these residents and obtain their voice as it relates to this development. Thank you all for what you do! Llatetra Llatetra Brown Esters Resident - District 2