Prince George's County Board of Appeals Hearing - May 20, 2026

The Board of Appeals convened virtually at 6:04 PM on May 20, 2026, with Chair Bulware and Member Stanton present (Vice Chair absent, Ms. Johnson out of town). The hearing began with the announcement of the passing of former Chair Bobby Mack and a moment of silence. The board heard one variance case (V-80-25), postponed one zoning appeal (V-16-26) by agreement, and approved the minutes from the May 6, 2026 meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:48 PM.

Announcements & Preliminaries

• Postponement: The zoning appeal V-16-26 (OZA Arcadian House Apartments, LLC) was postponed by agreement of the parties; a new date will be scheduled.
• Tribute: Chair Bulware announced the passing of former Chair Bobby Mack on May 2, 2026, honoring her 20 years of service and leadership. The board observed a moment of silence.

New Variance: V-80-25 (Loving Memory Revocable Living Trust)

Case: Request for variances of 1,300 square feet net lot area, 9 feet rear yard depth, and 1-foot side lot line for an accessory building (carport) to validate existing conditions and obtain a building permit for the unauthorized construction of a 16' x 16' one-story addition at 915 Brooke Road, Capitol Heights.

Petitioner's Testimony (Leslie Gibson):

• Purchased the home 24+ years ago; desired to add a bedroom to age in place. Hired a contractor (Will and Davis Construction) after a microburst caused $20,000 in damage in June 2025. The contractor discouraged permits, claiming they were optional; a neighbor (Juliana Letron) informed her permits were required. Contractor did not pull permits, and a violation notice was issued. Gibson stated she had no knowledge of the permit requirement until after construction began. She described her lot as uniquely smaller and narrower (55.183 feet vs. 6,500 sq ft minimum) than neighboring properties. All adjacent neighbors already have additions; the addition is not visible from the street and does not cross property lines. She has a fine of $1,000 from the Town of Capitol Heights, which she plans to pay the morning after the hearing. She has since hired new plumbers and electricians to obtain proper permits.

Town of Capitol Heights Testimony (Inspector Levy Cutler and Town Administrator Joy Ren):

• The town has no opposition to the construction as long as the petitioner complies with Prince George's County guidelines, obtains necessary permits, and pays the $1,000 fine. They confirmed the fine invoice was delivered on the day of the hearing.

Witness Testimony (Supporting Petitioner):

• Ray Parker (neighbor): Expressed support, noting Gibson is a responsible neighbor. The addition has not negatively impacted the neighborhood or quality of life; the structure fits appropriately within the community.
• Teresa Young (friend): Described Gibson as very responsible and noted the addition is beautiful with no complaints from neighbors. Expressed frustration that the contractor misled Gibson.
• Juliana Letron (neighbor): Recalled advising Gibson about permits. Her own addition required permits and was done through an architect. She testified that Gibson relied on the contractor's promises and was rushed.

Board Deliberation:

• Board members questioned Gibson about her awareness of permit requirements, efforts to contact the contractor, and the uniqueness of her lot (narrower than others, built circa 1954-56). The board noted the practical difficulty was not self-inflicted.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to Hold Open Variance Case V-80-25: Member Stanton moved to hold the case open until written confirmation is received from the Town of Capitol Heights that all fines have been paid. Chair Bulware seconded. The motion carried 2–0. The petitioner is not required to attend the next meeting; the board will make a final decision at the June 3, 2026 meeting upon receipt of confirmation.
• Minutes Approval: The board unanimously approved the minutes from the May 6, 2026 hearing (motion by Member Stanton, seconded by Chair Bulware; vote 2–0).
• Next Steps for Petitioner: Gibson was advised to pay the $1,000 fine to the Town of Capitol Heights and request written confirmation to the board administrator. Once received, the case will be placed on the June 3, 2026 agenda for decision.