Prince George's County Board of Appeals Hearing - September 9, 2026
Prince George's County Board of Appeals Hearing - September 9, 2026
The Prince George's County Board of Appeals met virtually on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Chair Bower called the meeting to order with roll call confirming three members present: Chair Bower, Vice Chair Johnson, and Member Stanton. The board heard one variance case (V-33-26) for a security exemption and approved the minutes from the July 15, 2026 meeting. Three other cases were rescheduled.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: The board unanimously approved the minutes from the July 15, 2026 meeting. (Motion by Vice Chair Johnson, seconded by Member Stanton, vote 3-0.)
Announcements & Rescheduling
- Three cases were rescheduled: V-78-25 (Rita N. Amaya) and V-27-26 (Carlos Hernandez Lopez and Maribel Maria Reyes) were rescheduled to October 7, 2026; V-22-26 (Masresha Wolde and Tiruwork Testu) was rescheduled to September 23, 2026. Persons present for those cases were excused.
Discussion Items
- V-33-26 – Karen Lynette Johnson, Security Exemption Review for Fence (11201 Colorado Street, Clinton)
- Applicant Testimony: Karen Johnson testified in support of her request to install a 6-foot tall vinyl privacy fence (with a 5-foot wide side gate) in the front yard, exceeding the allowable height by 2 feet. She cited ongoing security and safety concerns: trespassing, suspicious activity involving guns and drugs, illegal dumping, vandalism, theft, people parking and loitering, a slippery slope and hill causing falls, increased crime in the area, lack of privacy due to the corner lot location, and presence of stray animals. She noted that the fence would be professionally installed and would not obstruct drainage, utilities, or traffic visibility. She requested approval under security exemption provisions of Section 27-6610 of the zoning ordinance.
- Witnesses in Support:
- Reginald and Joyce Timmons (6821 Briar Cliff Drive, Clinton) testified in support.
- Ronetta Pace (11200 Colorado Street, Clinton) testified in support.
- Roger Simmons (6816 Drive, Clinton) attempted to testify but had camera issues and was not able to provide testimony; the board requires video for testimony.
- The board heard no opposition.
Key Outcomes
- V-33-26 Approved: Member Stanton moved to approve the fence based on the security exemption under Section 27-6610. Vice Chair Johnson seconded. The motion carried 3-0 (Chair Bower aye, Vice Chair Johnson aye, Member Stanton aye).
- Meeting Adjourned: The meeting adjourned at 6:15 PM without further business.
Meeting Transcript
Recording in progress. Good evening, everyone. So happy to see all of our board members and our staff after our long summer break. It's really good to see all of you guys. Our board meeting for Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 is here by call to order at 6 p.m. I'll ask our board administrator to call a roll. Yes, uh Chair Bower. Present. Here. Four members stand. Present. Three members present and roll call. Thank you. Are there any announcements? Yes, Mr. Chair. V 7825 and V2726 have to be on rescheduled to October 7. V22 26 will be rescheduled to September 23rd. Okay. Um that it? Yes. Okay. Um, if anybody's here for those cases, they can log off now. So if you are here for V78-25, V27-26, or V22-26, uh, those cases will be rescheduled to a later date. Um, and if you're here for those cases, you're excused. All right. Uh the Board of Appeals in-person meetings and our hearings continue to operate virtually using ver using 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. For clarity and transcription, please do not speak over another person. If you wish to speak, raise your hand to be called upon, and I will call upon you in turn. Our criteria for granting appeals involving variances pursuant to council bill CB16-2021, section 27-3613, subsection D. Excuse me, if you could turn off your volume, or please mute yourselves. The zoning ordinance authorizes the board to grant variances when a specific parcel of land is physically unique, unusual in a manner, different from the nature of surrounding properties with respect to exceptional narrowness, shallowness, shape, exceptional topographic conditions, or other extraordinary condition conditions peculiar to the specific parcel, such as historic significance or environmentally sensitive features. The particular uniqueness and peculiarity of the specific property causes a zoning provision to impact disproportionately upon that property, such that 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. Such variance can be granted without substantial impairment to the intent, purpose, integrity of the general plan or any area master plan, sector plan, or transit district development plan afflicting affecting the subject property and such variants will not substantially impair the use and enjoyment of adjacent properties. 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. If the board determines that it needs to seek technical assistance from any other government agency, we shall do so. Following the approval of a variance, a building permit must be obtained before any building permits will be processed by the county permits office. A copy of the board's written order must be presented. Approval of any variance is contingent upon development of the property in compliance with the board's approved site and elevation plans. A request for a security exemption review for a fence two feet over the allowable height, located in the front yard to obtain a building permit for proposed deck and six-foot vinyl privacy fence in the front yard at 11201 Colorado Street Clinton. Is Ms. Johnson with us this evening? Yes, I am. So if you please state your name and your address for the record, please. Karen Johnson, 11201, Colorado Street, Clinton, Maryland, 2073. Thank you. Honor the are there any other witnesses testifying on this case this evening?
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