1. (a) The district council shall designate and maintain the federally owned property known as the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center or any other U.S. Department of Agriculture property in Beltsville or its vicinity to a zoning classification that restricts the uses to open space or reserved open space.

2. (b) If the federal government or any assignee sells, leases, licenses, or otherwise encumbers any portion of the property known as the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center or any other U.S. Department of Agriculture property in Beltsville or its vicinity, the district council shall continue a zoning classification for that property that:

   1. (1) restricts the uses to open space or reserved open space; and
   2. (2) does not permit commercial, industrial, or residential uses.
3. (c) A central natural area, as defined in § 4-217 of this article, in the property known as the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center may not be converted to be used for agriculture, active recreation, forestry, or other plant harvesting.

4. (d) Prior to any development on land in the property known as the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, the district council shall:

   1. (1) hold a public hearing; and
   2. (2) make a final decision, in consultation with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Department of the Environment, that the proposed development will not have a substantial impact on any land in a central natural area.

Added by Acts 2026, c. 541, § 1, eff. June 1, 2026.