Prince George's County Board of Appeals Hearing - July 15, 2026
Prince George's County Board of Appeals Hearing - July 15, 2026
The Prince George's County Board of Appeals held a virtual hearing on July 15, 2026, at 6:00 PM to consider four variance requests and approve the minutes from the July 1, 2026 meeting. All variance requests were approved unanimously (3-0). The meeting was conducted via teleconference with Spanish translation provided for the first case.
V-18-26: Jose Martinez Herrera - 3000 Jamestown Road, Hyattsville
- Request: Variances of 101 square feet net lot area, 1-foot front yard depth alongside the street (corner lot), and 12-foot rear yard depth to obtain a building permit for a proposed 2-story single dwelling with attached garage, porches, and area way.
- Testimony: Melissa Carter (attorney) presented, noting the property is in a 1940 subdivision and the corner lot creates unique conditions. The City of Hyattsville voted to support the variance. No questions from board members.
- Outcome: Motion by Member Stanton, seconded by Vice Chair Johnson. Approved 3-0.
V-30-26: Tracy Burton - 2405 Ritchie Road, District Heights
- Request: Variances of 9.79 feet lot frontage, 7% lot coverage, and a waiver of the parking area location requirement to validate existing conditions and obtain a building permit for an unauthorized 1,061.4 square foot driveway extension.
- Testimony: Tracy Burton testified about safety concerns due to heavy traffic, three accidents, and difficulty seeing oncoming traffic. The unauthorized driveway was installed 21 years ago; she removed the portion encroaching on a neighbor's property after an inspector's notice. The board noted unique topography and sloping conditions.
- Outcome: Motion by Member Stanton, seconded by Vice Chair Johnson. Approved 3-0.
V-28-26: Jordan Eberst - 16801 Boot Hill Road, Accokeek
- Request: Security exemption (variance) for a fence 2 feet over the allowable 6-foot height (to 8 feet) in the rear yard to obtain a building permit for a fence.
- Testimony: Jordan Eberst and Tiffany Huff (contractor) testified about significant wildlife (deer, foxes, bobcats) that clear a 6-foot fence, causing tick infestation and a diagnosis of alpha-gal syndrome. The child with special needs uses the yard. The fence is not visible from any public roadway.
- Outcome: Motion by Member Stanton, seconded by Vice Chair Johnson. Approved 3-0.
V-35-26: Devon and Terri Ann Polk - 308 King James Court, Upper Marlboro
- Request: Variance of 12 feet front yard depth to construct a 6' x 19' addition for a mother-in-law suite.
- Testimony: Devin Polk (applicant), Marty Minton (contractor), and neighbor Sean Brown (supporter) testified. The HOA architectural board approved the addition, but a formal letter has not yet been provided. The board noted unique property conditions and neighbor support.
- Outcome: Motion by Vice Chair Johnson, seconded by Member Stanton. Approved 3-0.
Minutes Approval
- The board approved the minutes from the July 1, 2026 meeting via motion by Member Stanton, seconded by Vice Chair Johnson. Approved 3-0.
Key Outcomes
- All four variance requests were approved unanimously (3-0): V-18-26, V-30-26, V-28-26, V-35-26.
- Minutes from July 1, 2026 were approved.
- The board will recess in August; the next meeting is scheduled for September 9, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Recording in progress. Good evening, everyone. The Board of Appeals hearings for July the 15th, 2026. I'll ask our board administrator to please call the role. If you are not speaking, please turn off your audio. Thank you. Mr. Watson. Chair Woolware. Present. Vice Chair Johnson. Present. Board Member Stan. Present. Three members present and roll call. Thank you. Thank you. Are there any announcements? No, Mr. Chair. Okay, great. The Board of Appeals in-person meetings and hearings continue to operate virtually utilizing alternative public participation options, including utilization of digital technology or teleconferencing. Our virtual hearings are recorded and transcribed during the meeting, so please state your name for the record each time you speak. Authorizes the board to grant variances when a specific parcel of land is physically unique and unusual in a manner different from the nature of surrounding properties with respect to exceptional narrowness, shallowness, shape, exceptional topographic conditions, or other extraordinary conditions peculiar to the specific parcel, such as historical significance or environmentally sensitive features. The particular uniqueness and peculiarity of the specific specific property causes a zoning provision to impact disproportionately upon that property. Such a strict application of the provision will result in peculiar and unusual practical difficulties to the owner of the property. Such variance is the minimum reasonably necessary to overcome the exceptional physical conditions. Notwithstanding any other provision of the section, a variance may not be granted if the practical difficulty is self-inflicted by the owner of the property. All of these criteria must apply. Approval of any variance is contingent upon development of the property in compliance with the board's approved site and elevation plans. Would you please state your name and your address for the record, please? For for digasum and direction para effecto de actus. George Ramos, 5603 30th Avenue as a neighbor. George Ramos 360 Avenida Vecino. Let's start with our petitioners. Mr. Herrera, are you with us this evening? Vamos a commencer por el InterSado. Sí. Yes. Would you please state your name and address for the record? Jose Martinez Herrera. 3000 Jamestown Road. Do you have anyone else that will be testifying with you, Mr. Herrera? Senor Herrera, tiene alguien más que vaya a declarar con usted. My attorney. Okay. I understand you're being represented by Miss Carter this evening. Yes.
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