Even though it held its fifth contentious hearing on the proposed Cafritz development Monday, the Prince George’s County District Council needed more time to debate the issue.

On Friday, the council will hold what will likely be its final day of public testimony regarding the $226 million development project, which would bring close to 200,000 square feet of retail space, the county’s first Whole Foods Market and additional housing to neighboring Riverdale Park. The heart of the controversy lies in the development’s zoning boundaries, an issue community members are concerned would negatively impact the city.

The public hearings, which began in January, have been lengthy and combative, including a hearing in April that lasted nearly 12 hours. Monday’s hearing, which lasted more than four hours, featured testimony by officials from Riverdale Park and College Park, as well as residents from surrounding communities.

Council Chairwoman Andrea Harrison (District 5) said at Monday’s hearing she expects Friday to be the final day of testimony. However, it is unclear when the council will decide on the development’s boundaries.

Prince George’s County code requires the District Council provide a decision on any case within 30 days of the public record being closed, but no later than 150 days after it’s received, which in the Cafritz case means no later than mid-July.

College Park resident Kathy Bryant is one of many who are concerned about how the proposed development would impact traffic patterns on Route 1.

“This whole [development] feels more like it’s going to be in College Park,” Bryant said. “Traffic is just going to be overwhelming. I can’t fathom what it’s going to be like, because it’s already a gridlock on Route 1.”

Bryant said while she hasn’t attended any of the hearings, she thought other College Park residents who oppose the development are using the open forums to their advantage.

“I know a lot of residents of College Park are against it, and they have done a good job speaking out at those hearings,” Bryant said.

Despite residents’ concerns, some students said they approved of the development, which would add more than 900 beds in several new housing options, including high-rise apartments and a senior living community.

“From a student’s perspective, it’s a good thing,” senior accounting and finance major Drew Carroll said. “This will bring more businesses to the area and it will give students more options on where to shop.”

Carroll said the project could cause potential traffic jams, but the problem could be alleviated by additional public transportation routes.

“Shuttle-UM will have to step up the routes, because I’m sure students will start living in that area,” Carroll said.

Junior journalism major Christina Mele said although she has never shopped at Whole Foods before, a close location would probably prompt her to try it.

“I would definitely check it out, at least, and I know my roommates would shop there,” Mele said. “Right now there aren’t many places [on Route 1] for students to eat and shop close by, so it would definitely build up the area a bit more.”

Some community members said they were concerned the Cafritz development could present a problem due to its proximity to the proposed East Campus development, which is slated to include a hotel and conference center, a book store, three subsidized graduate student housing high-rise apartment buildings and 58,000 square feet of retail space.

However, College Park Economic Development Coordinator Michael Stiefvater said from an economic perspective, both projects would benefit the area.

“They both are going to bring a higher standard of development to the [Route 1] corridor,” Stiefvater said. “In terms of attracting other businesses they are both a win.”

Despite student support, for residents like Bryant , the Cafritz project comes down to traffic congestion.

“I have a regular job where I have to be on time, and I’ve been late before because I couldn’t get out of College Park,” Bryant said. “Anyone who is in support of the Cafritz development must be forced to drive up Route 1 everyday at 3 p.m. for two weeks straight to see how they like it.”

sinclair@umdbk.com