A Federation of South County Civic, Citizen & Neighborhood Associations

P. O. Box 44013

Fort Washington, Maryland 20749

www.IHHAAC.org

IHHAAC began life in 1964 as the Indian Head Highway Area Action Council, Inc. A group of civic association officers and activists came together with the goal of protecting and maintaining the low-density of the Indian Head Highway (Rt.210) green corridor; today we call that ethic smart, sustainable growth. For many years most of the population in the area lived between the highway and the Potomac River. Over time, development occurred east of Rt.210 and into the interior of the southern half of the County; our membership accompanied that growth.

Today IHHAAC is a federation of civic, citizen, and neighborhood associations, civic activists and interested individuals located throughout Councilmanic Districts 8 and 9, known locally as South County. We provide information and facilitate networking among civic groups, community activists and individuals concerned about the future of the county in general and of South County in particular, especially those issues which affect our quality of life and property values.

IHHAAC is proactive in monitoring and testifying on: proposed state and local legislation; land use planning, including proposed text amendments to the Master Plan, Sectional Map Amendments, the Transportation Master Plan and the Landscape Manual; and applications before the Planning Board, Subdivision Review, Zoning Hearing Examiner and Board of License Commissioners (includes control of liquor licenses). Periodic email Action, Crime and Information Alerts and special publications keep our members apprised of important issues.

Prince George’s County is facing many challenges. Among these are: setting budget priorities in a time of scarcity; public safety; the incursion of development into the rural tier and other inappropriate places; failing educational system; inadequate roads; and an employment base insufficient to yield enough tax revenue to overcome the deficits created by residential housing.

The last point is significant, because cost-of-services studies in six states show that for every $1.00 in tax revenue (property, income, sales and other taxes) from residential housing, the cost of public services to those residents is as high as $1.67. Conversely, retail, commercial, farm land and open space are the only land uses where tax revenue exceeds the costs of providing public services. In short, every time the county approves building new housing units on open space or farm land, it digs itself--us, as taxpayers--deeper into a financial hole.

IHHAAC is continuing to be proactive in 2012, just as we have been since 1964.  Visit the Virtual Library for documents, statements, and testimony on current and past issues of interest to the corridor.