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Developers may be granted a reprieve by the Prince George's County Council.

The near-collapse of the housing industry has caused many local builders to lose money, delay construction and lay off work crews — and they have requested that the county not require them to reapply for permits and pay more fees as construction is delayed by the recession.

"Due to the downturn of the market, they're having problems," Councilman Samuel H. Dean (D-Dist. 6) of Mitchellville said Tuesday of developers. "They're having some real difficulties."

Builders voiced concern that the struggling economy is preventing them from meeting rules that require developers to build within three years after a detailed site plan is approved and within two to six years for preliminary subdivision approval, depending on the size of the development.

Two bills, CB-7 and CB-8, sponsored by Dean, would extend the deadline for already approved projects until April 15, 2011.

Dean said the measures are to help developers who have lost fast access to bonding and loans for construction.

"We're at a breaking point," William F. Chesley, owner of W.F. Chesley Real Estate based in Crofton, said at a meeting with council members early last month.

At that meeting, builders asked the council to extend approved project deadlines to avoid the costly process of reapplying for the same project and to waive impact fees for developments that can cost up to $30,000 per home.

"If you do nothing, nobody will be left when we do bottom out," Roger Lebbin, president of Mid-Atlantic Builders in Rockville, told the council at the time.

No date has been scheduled for the council to vote on the legislation.

The bill was referred to the group's Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee for review. No hearing date has been scheduled.

Staff Writer Lindsey Robbins contributed to this story.