Building Blocks | June 2020 |Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement - Business Development Section Newsletter

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June 2020


New Business Spotlight

New Biz Spot

Liberty Sports Park

Liberty Sports Park Map

Liberty Sports Park is coming soon to Bowie.

Sports fans take note: Liberty Sports Park is coming to Prince George’s County! The park is designed as a complex of a multi-use, athletic fields located on a 76-acre site. The facility is located near the Collington Office Park in Bowie near the intersection of routes 214 and 301. Initially, the Liberty Sports Park will feature 10 lighted grass and synthetic fields. A stadium field is planned for large-scale competitions. The fields will accommodate football, field hockey, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, and ultimate frisbee.

As a youth focused community sports facility, the Liberty Sports Park will also offer after school hours for students in the County’s public schools and youth programs organized by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. Liberty Sports Park will be available for youth sports competitions, as well as some adult league sports. Use of the facility is not limited to County residents, though residents of Prince George’s County will be provided preference over other groups in the region.

Liberty Sports Park is a partnership of Prince George’s County, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation and the Green Branch Management Group Corp. The park will be managed by the Green Branch Management Group Corp, which is a community-based non-profit organization. For more information, visit Liberty Sports Park.


2Fifty Central Texas Barbecue

2Fifty Central Texas Barbecue

2Fifty Central Texas Barbecue, owned by Salvadoran Pitmaster Fernando González, officially opened its doors in April 2020 in Riverdale Park. González hails from a long line of restaurateurs and learned the craft of barbecuing in his hometown of San Salvador as a youth. 2Fifty serves up meats barbecued in the Central Texas BBQ style, which differs from traditional grilling by smoking the meat instead of cooking it over direct flame. The restaurant’s menu includes items such as Wagyu brisket, beef ribs, pulled pork, St. Louis pork ribs, turkey and sausage link, along with several sides and desserts.

Barbecue

González said he is excited to share his special Central Texas recipe with Prince Georgians. He found success at the Riverdale Park Farmers’ Market before expanding to a location at 4700 Riverdale Road in the historic section of Riverdale Park. 2Fifty has been offering customers carry-out meals during the COVID-19 emergency, but customers can now dine onsite in the designated outdoor seating area. 


The Inside Scoop

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Special Events Permitting

Are you having a special event?  Each year, dozens of special events are held in Prince George’s County. The events include weddings, parades, festivals, carnivals, races, farmers’ markets, craft shows, outdoor concerts, block parties and more. DPIE works with the Public Safety Special Events Coordinating Group (PSSECG) to issue permits for special events. The PSSECG includes representatives from 

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public safety, fire and emergency services, the Department of the Environment and the Liquor Board.

There are two applications that should be filed for a Special Events Permit. Please be sure to complete both applications and the respective checklists a minimum of 45 days prior to the event, although 60 days would be ideal to allow for ample review times and the appeals process, if necessary. The applications can be found online here and here.

The Business Development Section has created a video detailing the special events permitting process. The video is posted on the DPIE YouTube . The video explains the application filing process, fees, documentation, the review process, inspections, the appeals process and offers departmental contacts.


Business Development Section Helpful Hints

Helpful Hints

Applying for a Restaurant Temporary Outdoor Seating Area
(RTOSA) Permit

Effective June 1, 2020, qualifying restaurants were given the option of applying for a temporary permit to implement outdoor dining areas. For details, visit DPIE’s main website. If your current Use and Occupancy Permit (U&O) already allows for outdoor seating, you may operate an outdoor seating area under your current U&O while abiding by mandated social distancing requirements.

Scheduling Virtual Inspections

Due to COVID-19 social distancing mandates, DPIE is also now offering limited Virtual Inspections for residential structures as an alternative to on-site inspections. The inspections are conducted between the customer and inspector via video call on a smart phone or tablet. Click here for details.

Obtaining Permit Extensions

Once a permit application has been filed, a permit must be issued within two years of the application date or it becomes null and void. Once the permit is issued, the work must begin within 6 months of permit issuance date. Construction inspections are required a minimum of every six months to keep the permit valid. The only exceptions are grading permits, which expire five years after issuance. Requests for extensions must be submitted within 30 days of expiration of the permit. Up to two six-month extensions may be granted. Note - due to COVID-19, applications submitted for permits will remain valid, until 30 days after the Emergency Declaration is rescinded by the Governor of Maryland.

Checking Municipal Requirements

Before applying for a permit, an applicant should always check the municipal requirements. Although an applicant may have a permit from DPIE, the applicant may need to obtain a business license or other permits from the local municipality prior to opening a business.  See the Municipal-Inspections-and-Enforcement Chart for a breakdown of municipalities within Prince George’s County.

What's Happening?


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Business Development Section Training Series

In May, the BDS team published a four-part series of online presentations to assist aspiring entrepreneurs and local business owners on how to obtain permits from DPIE.

training

Introduction to the Business Development Section and DPIE Overview 

The presentation provides information on their role in providing guidance and assistance through the permitting and licensing process.

Obtaining a Special Event Permit 

This presentation provides information on how to obtain a Special Event Permit.

Building and Use & Occupancy (U&O) Permits 

The presentation explains the process and requirements needed to obtain a Building Permit and a U&O Permit.

All About Inspections

This presentation explains the process and requirements needed prior to and during inspections.

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Other business-related events for June and July 2020

DPIE ePlan Training via Zoom

DPIE monthly free ePlan training has returned and will be offered virtually. Please do not come to the DPIE offices as they are closed to the public at this time. Customers will be trained on completing online applications and uploading plans for review. The sessions are free and held from 10 a.m. until 12 noon the third Thursday of each month via Zoom. Those wanting to attend must register by the second Thursday of the month using the following link: ePlan-Customer-Training.

Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Coaching

On July 10, the EDC will host a First Friday Coaching Session entitled, Accountability Approved. For more information, visit the EDC event calendar on their website at https://www.pgcedc.com/events-calendar?view=calendar&month=07-2020

Maryland Small Business Development Center Consultations

The center is hosting COVID-19 consultations for businesses. For more information, visit the SBDC website at www.mdsbdc.umd.edu/training/events-calendar.

Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce Meetings

For information about monthly committee meetings (including topics on Legislative Action, Women in Business Development, Economic Development and Small & Minority Business), please visit http://business.pgcoc.org/events/calendar/.


Community Feedback

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2020 Census

WHAT IS THE U.S. CENSUS?

By law, every 10 years the U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States. Your participation determines representation and how billions in federal funds are distributed. If our community is undercounted, friends and neighbors miss out on an estimated $18,250 per person over a 10-year period. Statewide, that’s a total of $26.6 billion over a 10-year period.

https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/3233/2020-Census