[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6565386,"mediaKeyId","3220689-dfc95bf9acdf23b01df8af5eab1a78c7","parentId",3220689,"title","Board affirms county enforcement against property operating as short-term units at 1103 Birkton Road","audioSeconds",2426,"startMs",4268000,"endMs",6694000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3220689-dfc95bf9acdf23b01df8af5eab1a78c7&start=4268&end=6694","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3220689-dfc95bf9acdf23b01df8af5eab1a78c7/thumbnail_4268000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6565386/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/Board-affirms-county-enforcement-against-property-operating-as-short-term-units-at-1103-Birkton-Road","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565386-054bc3a54de38b60b6f53debf60f5737/orig.mp4?Expires=1775628996&Signature=EUaVaHmpTjwj6e2Z5pmJiOo0u8A-OUw~pxWRgvz1NYf-bn1OX7NHQZcwDvp-QpZ7QM~9DGqMxe~aURKFW1i87IRqdSm-ozcYfqWn7DNJLxxk-1FMu9KpJEslipSu7wTl0ZnQpzQvwPHQBbzbdJAPqS6TdWstXQX-2hAet-FOFS~uzG5OfujsKTQ4yDD2ItXib77XL1sZsY8zVnVDZAWyYoWEB6K~V7OEfLoBF4qLXJARn~k4Kt4R3YoMefT-VNhzvuP~RMuHXWrurigtHOU3-arP2EQAoj-nroPOwxRCRw1ej2OasQ-8CGbLmoKI2H2ovMalWuWcu~tn1LNTXZz8pA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Prince George","date","2025-05-07T00:00:00Z","article","The Prince George’s County Board of Appeals on May 7 affirmed county code enforcement actions finding multiple zoning violations at 1103 Birkton Road in Hyattsville and denied the property owner’s appeal.

Inspector Charles Graham of the county’s code-enforcement unit presented photographs and internal findings showing that portions of the residence had been converted into multiple units with kitchenettes and full bathrooms. Graham testified the property displayed signage and an emergency-exit plan for a commercial operation and that online listings (Airbnb) indicated the property was being used to host short-term guests. “Inside all of these rooms are a full bathroom, a full kitchen with stove, refrigerator, and microwave,” Graham told the board as he showed interior photos.

County counsel asked the board to sustain four categories of violations: operation of a business from the residence, conversion to a rooming/boarding house without proper use and occupancy, conversion-related zoning violations, and lack of a use-and-occupancy permit for the commercial operation. The county also filed a motion to dismiss the appeal as untimely; the board heard argument on timeliness but elected to consider the substantive case.

The owner, who identified himself as Fidelis Chandy (appearing with counsel Richard Williams), said he had applied for and previously held short-term rental approvals and had completed construction with permits, and he asked the board to grant a grace period or otherwise allow continued short-term rental operation while outstanding issues were addressed. County staff said parking and homeowners-association requirements were unresolved and that conversion of the property to multiple sleeping units constituted zoning violations.

After hearing testimony and argument, Board member Stanton moved to affirm the county’s decision; the motion carried 2-0. The board instructed staff to prepare a written order; county staff and Office of Law representatives said they would follow up on the next administrative steps once the order is issued.

Votes at a glance: Motion to affirm DPIE enforcement (v86-24) — moved by Board member Stanton; seconded; roll call vote 2-0 to affirm.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Prince George - Board of Appeals - May 07, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Appeals affirmed Prince George’s County code-enforcement findings and sustained zoning violations for 1103 Birkton Road in Hyattsville, concluding the property was being operated in a manner consistent with a rooming/boarding house and a business without required use-and-occupancy approvals.","taxTitle","Prince George's County, Maryland","taxId",3378,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6565389,"Board grants driveway variance for Emerson Street homeowner citing irregular lot and safety concerns",550,2900000,3450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3220689-dfc95bf9acdf23b01df8af5eab1a78c7&start=2900&end=3450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3220689-dfc95bf9acdf23b01df8af5eab1a78c7/thumbnail_2900000.jpg","/articles/6565389/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/Board-grants-driveway-variance-for-Emerson-Street-homeowner-citing-irregular-lot-and-safety-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565389-bbe302e409e90570dd159ccbcc3fba5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775628996&Signature=QlFcXkUBxEpXX4q9LFreAd1ZroZLPsXIqFGOIHaeTQ4hjWZrkAxAJYQuLW4GIVrfUbHJJrHcYVCPOjGgQJMl9rx1ncC75v1yG2Jl~RUFnmB0QCNKGqs8H0axLrNQBkK8MzTsXA2xQmxqgJkQGXAhewNl8DxLOzzVDmLkEb-xW1NgVEx30RsVdjiPKtHJ8~OLKaGvjlEN6Ol4Ay01a4uGT8MnD7uiX8iQo6-5NJcNcteugjxafIugTR2FtbAM16EA4CVtGUzIqphFqNjmxAAV3aXfWqonFH5jMFYcKCUUHg3iKzai9E2sIOYF3r2j5OR6OiEmDgbvD0a1dm7WzW9wXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Prince George’s County Board of Appeals voted 2-0 on May 7 to approve a variance that will allow Dr. Jendai Eileen Robinson to build a 10-by-34-foot driveway on the right side of her home at 7003 Emerson Street in Hyattsville.

Robinson told the board her lot is irregularly shaped and a utility pole on the left side prevents constructing a driveway there; she described repeated safety incidents and thefts when vehicles were parked on the street. “The lot is irregularly shaped, especially in the rear, making traditional driveway placement difficult,” Robinson said, and she described the proposed driveway as “the absolute minimum to alleviate the safety and accessibility concerns” for her family.

Board members reviewed the application materials, which included exhibits showing neighboring properties with similar driveways, and noted neighborhood support. Inspector Harrison had no additional testimony. Board member Stanton moved to approve the variance based on the information provided; the motion carried in a 2-0 roll call.

The board instructed staff to follow up with Robinson on next steps to obtain the building permit and any required inspections.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve (v19-25) — moved by Board member Stanton; second noted; roll call vote 2-0 to approve.","The Board of Appeals approved a variance allowing a 10-by-34-foot driveway at 7003 Emerson Street in Hyattsville, finding the irregular lot shape, a utility pole and safety issues supported the requested relief.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6565393,"Board denies Beechwood Road request after neighbors and application errors cited",958,1547000,2505000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3220689-dfc95bf9acdf23b01df8af5eab1a78c7&start=1547&end=2505","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3220689-dfc95bf9acdf23b01df8af5eab1a78c7/thumbnail_1547000.jpg","/articles/6565393/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/Board-denies-Beechwood-Road-request-after-neighbors-and-application-errors-cited","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565393-2de34ee86f15dc2222265c13445b6b20/orig.mp4?Expires=1775628996&Signature=H~jvMoN1q0Qy51RLQnd5Qf3cCamp4RITM30HL9pC7U4ikmrbB4hyBS46L~2IIBpsTVlv3ZqIThl-pjRUhAYpUmc51d8blkl6Nx-5TgrDJNIPY49Hc7Ql3L6HDHsn61KJZ0mv0wTv0lw8EyeDxR8~K0O0kFXTzUEMU~qbU~pwCS1WzRQkzc64~hf6jYT-CwDCwX2aGS8DhrvQFZ6Sl3Dw4QlyYkvgAaYuyDd8xxKBC5v-bUurBf1jOKC4AITOt4oyNMZQMnVRHSIyqRqGU4MzFlUWd4zlhzdM2fQaUbt1eOvIRMRf3yetFTP7QqHZENYKT2T2eToUb~Ba3fkCkYeQXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Prince George’s County Board of Appeals on May 7 denied a request by the owner of 2228 Beechwood Road in Hyattsville to validate existing lot-width and coverage conditions and to authorize expanded parking and driveway work.

The petitioner, who identified himself as Fang Chi Mao (recorded as the applicant for case v17-25), sought variances for a reduced lot width (4.9 feet at the building line), increased net lot coverage (an additional 11 percent) and a waiver of the parking-area location requirement to validate existing conditions and to obtain a building permit for a new driveway extension. Neighbors and the Lewisdale Citizens Association opposed the request, saying the added paving would turn much of the yard into a concrete parking lot and would harm neighborhood character.

Rita Butler, speaking for the Lewisdale Citizens Association, said the association “vehemently opposes the applicant's request to expand the parking capacity” and described added concrete and blocks placed along the curb as “an eyesore” that would turn the property into a parking lot and could hurt neighboring property values.

Inspectors and board staff raised additional concerns. Inspector Harrison testified that a complaint had led to inspection and that gravel had been laid for a driveway; staff also identified errors on the applicant’s planning form (the application had listed “N/A” for a community association despite testimony from the association) and a prior correction/stop-work order on the property. The board noted that one variance criterion prohibits granting relief when a practical difficulty is self-inflicted by the owner.

The applicant said tenants and construction workers use large vehicles and that on-street parking had led to safety and vehicle damage concerns; he apologized to the board and said his child had completed portions of the application in error. County staff reported mixed records about a rental license: one inspector said no license was listed in the system, while a county official, Renee Jenkins Palacios, said the owner currently has a rental license that runs through April 2026.

After deliberation, Board member Stanton moved to deny the variance request, citing the stop-work/violation and application inaccuracies; the motion carried on a 2-0 roll call vote. The board advised the petitioner to follow up with staff about next steps and noted staff would prepare the written order documenting the denial.

Votes at a glance: Motion to deny (v17-25) — moved by Board member Stanton; second noted; roll call vote 2-0 to deny.","The Board of Appeals denied a variance sought to expand driveway/parking at 2228 Beechwood Road in Hyattsville after neighbors opposed the plan and staff identified application inaccuracies and a stop-work/violation history.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6565397,"Prince George’s County board denies driveway and lot variances for Beltsville property",1167,347000,1514000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3220689-dfc95bf9acdf23b01df8af5eab1a78c7&start=347&end=1514","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3220689-dfc95bf9acdf23b01df8af5eab1a78c7/thumbnail_347000.jpg","/articles/6565397/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/Prince-Georges-County-board-denies-driveway-and-lot-variances-for-Beltsville-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565397-1b5e2ded978cea27ec26a7c07e299ed1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775628996&Signature=XFKFMPKCmupCKtxihvZCpYJoOS3wg7M~Kh1LAP~FecqKEYtbxaTUtU1idv3tDNGTNlH1qMo4LW74cMgOcagH7jqC2CLf~WCiDL3WpPjhiUEcNwGF8Kbfq~aN8a8YMqMeeo-xHpJzYcKx7AHsZ7w9M8Wi7NFf7askrjZqyGON5pXbF2V7Mu5IFvXmDWjEXcuzlPARAEXykDaKxcQA9S77QNwsLET1V7HiVWhcvo5azV7PFJw5PcON1V660kxqbTGJiCxTH56UIrE9sq31aIuMIbSHs8xQFnSYasC3QSy~qrjTMeey8iQ-23EilE0tOgEyhkgsW5Qf1I~SkdIKg4k2uA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Prince George’s County Board of Appeals on May 7 denied a request from Walter Enrique Castro Zavala for variances to validate existing conditions and to permit a rear-driveway extension at 4911 Wicomico Avenue in Beltsville.

The board’s decision follows testimony from county inspectors that the property owner began work before obtaining required permits and a complaint that gravel had been laid for a driveway. Inspector Harrison told the board he received a 311 complaint and observed gravel laid for a driveway during an inspection. “I see where they had laid down some gravel, for a driveway,” Harrison said during the hearing.

Board members heard that Castro requested variances for net lot area (10,309 square feet), lot width at the building line (9 feet) and net lot coverage (7.4 percent), and sought a 17-by-72-foot driveway extension to validate existing conditions and obtain a building permit. The petitioner, Walter Castro Zavala, described safety concerns on his dead-end street and said he sought the extension because street parking created unsafe conditions for vehicles using the roadway.

Board member Stanton noted that one of the required variance criteria is that the practical difficulty cannot be self-inflicted by the owner. After hearing staff testimony that the owner had begun work without permits, Stanton moved to deny the request. The motion to decline passed on a 2-0 roll call vote.

The board advised Castro to follow up with board staff for next steps; staff will prepare the board’s written order that will formalize the denial and explain any further administrative remedies.

Votes at a glance: Motion to deny (v21-25) — moved by Board member Stanton; second noted on the record; roll call vote 2-0 to deny.","The Prince George’s County Board of Appeals denied a request by Walter Enrique Castro Zavala for multiple variances to validate existing lot conditions and extend a driveway at 4911 Wicomico Avenue in Beltsville, citing that work began before permits were obtained and therefore did not meet variance criteria.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board affirms county enforcement against property operating as short-term units at 1103 Birkton Road

Board grants driveway variance for Emerson Street homeowner citing irregular lot and safety concerns

Board denies Beechwood Road request after neighbors and application errors cited

Prince George’s County board denies driveway and lot variances for Beltsville property