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Prince George's County Board of Appeals approves variances for Fairmont Heights homeowner to add screened porch and second-floor rooms
Summary
The Board of Appeals on Oct. 22 approved variances for Sylvia Syphax at 611 Sixteenth Place in Fairmont Heights to validate existing lot conditions and allow a screened porch, second-floor addition and related repairs; the board voted 3-0.
The Prince George's County Board of Appeals approved requested variances for a Fairmont Heights homeowner on Oct. 22, 2025, allowing renovations at 611 Sixteenth Place that include a screened porch and a second-floor addition.
The ruling matters because the board's approval validates existing lot conditions and allows the petitioner to obtain a county building permit to expand an existing one‑bedroom house so it can accommodate a relative and meet current code requirements.
Sylvia Syphax, the petitioner, told the board she bought the house after a neighbor died and described the home as “pretty small” and in need of front‑porch and basement access improvements. She said neighbors and the Town of Fairmont Heights provided written support for the project. The application requested variances for 750 square feet net lot area, 15 feet lot width, 10.25 feet front yard depth and 4.5 feet side yard width to validate existing conditions and allow a proposed 13-by-13 screened porch, a 13-by-14.9 second-floor addition and a two‑story 5-by-8-by-12 addition.
Tom Amen, the project's architect, summarized the work: the existing front porch footprint will be converted into a two‑story addition (about 5 feet 8 inches by 12 feet) to enlarge the first-floor bedroom, add a second-floor bathroom and laundry room, and provide a new second bedroom. Syphax said the house, built circa 1930, predates modern zoning setbacks and that the house’s historic placement on the lot is the reason for the requested variances.
Vice Chair Johnson moved to approve case B47‑25 and Member Stanton seconded. The board administrator called the roll: Chair Boulware — aye; Vice Chair Johnson — aye; Member Stanton — aye. The motion carried 3–0. The board advised that satisfying the variance is contingent on development in compliance with the board‑approved site and elevation plans and that a building permit must be obtained with a copy of the board’s written order presented to the county permits office.
Board staff said they will follow up with Syphax on next steps for permits and plan review.
The board hearing packet for B47‑25 included neighbor support letters and an exhibit set of aerial and site photos the board reviewed during deliberation.
