§ 27-541. Private schools.

(a)

Private schools permitted (P) in the Table of Uses in accordance with this Section shall be limited to schools which offer a complete program of nursery school education accredited by the Maryland State Department of Education, or complete program of academic elementary (including kindergarten), junior high, middle, or senior high school education, and shall be subject to the following:

(1)

Requirements.

(A)

The school shall be located on a lot having a net area of at least five (5) acres on which the maximum enrollment shall be four hundred (400) students. For each acre over five (5), the total enrollment may be increased by one hundred (100) students. State and local health, education or fire regulations may reduce the number of students permitted to be enrolled. (For the purpose of this Section, enrollment shall mean the total number of students enrolled in the institution at any one (1) time. If there are separate morning, afternoon, and evening sessions, each of which is attended by different students, enrollment shall mean the number of students enrolled in the session having the largest number of students.)

(B)

The property shall have frontage on, and direct vehicular access to, a street having a paved surface at least thirty-six (36) feet wide. This width shall not apply where the property is located in sparsely settled or farm areas, or where the Planning Board determines that adequate passenger debarkation areas are provided.

(C)

An outdoor playground or activity area shall be provided. It shall contain at least one hundred (100) square feet of usable space per student. The area shall be located at least twenty-five (25) feet from any dwelling on an adjoining lot and buffered from adjoining uses in accordance with the provisions of the Landscape Manual. The play area shall be enclosed by a substantial wall or fence at least three (3) feet high for grades six (6) and below, and at least five (5) feet high for other grades.

(D)

The requirements of this Section shall not apply to the use of existing public schools which have been conveyed by the Prince George's County Board of Education to either Prince George's County or any municipality within the County, provided the County or municipality:

(i)

Maintains ownership of the facility and operates a school in it; or

(ii)

Leases the facility for use as a private school (of any type).

(2)

Site plan.

(A)

A Detailed Site Plan shall be approved for all private schools, in accordance with Part 3, Division 9, of this Subtitle.

(CB-1-1989)