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After months of arguing that county planning officials' Central U.S. 1 Corridor Sector Plan will bring traffic and pollution to College Park communities, a group of city residents is now seeking assistance from state officials.

"We realize there's going to be development, but we also have to preserve our neighborhoods," said resident Christine Nagle. "And it seems like we're hitting a brick wall [with planning officials]."

Nagle and about 25 residents met with all three District 21 delegates — Democrats Benjamin S. Barnes and Joseline Pena-Melnyk, both of College Park, and Barbara A. Frush of Beltsville — for a nearly two-hour meeting Monday night at the American Legion Post 217 in College Park.

Residents, mostly from North College Park, voiced their concerns about the sector plan, which was created by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and would bring new development to the city during the next 30 years. The development would include five walkable, mixed-use housing and shopping centers.

Their biggest complaint focused on the plan's proposal to expand roads such as two-lane Rhode Island Avenue and Autoville Drive to help ease traffic along Route 1.

Residents say the changes would bring congestion and commercial development into their neighborhoods.

"We're going to be facing parking lots," said resident Joan Poor. "We are changing life in this city in more ways than we know."

The three delegates — who do not vote on the sector plan — said they would try to encourage dialogue between all parties involved.

"We don't get a vote — It's a county issue," Pena-Melnyk said. "But that doesn't mean that we cannot pick up a phone."

To be implemented, the plan would have to pass votes by the five-member county Planning Board and nine-member County Council.

Frush said she will attempt to organize a September meeting between city officials, County Council members Thomas E. Dernoga (D-Dist. 1) of Laurel and Eric Olson (D-Dist. 3) of College Park, planners, representatives from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a small group of residents.

"We can invite," she said. "That doesn't mean we're going to get the big guns here, but at least we'll get the word out to them."

The Planning Board and County Council will hold a joint public hearing regarding the plan Sept. 15 in Upper Marlboro.