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Prince George's County Board of Appeals approves three property variances, reschedules two cases
Summary
At its Nov. 19 meeting the Prince George's County Board of Appeals approved a front-yard fence security exemption, a backyard shed variance and a sunroom addition variance (all by 3-0 votes), rescheduled two cases for absent petitioners and approved prior meeting minutes.
Prince George's County Board of Appeals members voted unanimously on Nov. 19 to approve three separate variances affecting residential properties and agreed to reschedule two cases when petitioners did not appear.
The board approved a security-exemption request for case V63-25, allowing front-yard fences 2 feet above the normally permitted height at 14901 Mount Calvert Road. Vice Chair Johnston moved to approve the exemption and Member Stanton seconded; Chair Boulware and both board members voted Aye, and the motion carried 3-0. Petitioners Aeolus and Joella Ferguson told the board they sought the taller fence for family safety after a series of incidents; Mr. Ferguson said he had been "framed for crimes I did not commit" and described repeated confrontations at the property. The board noted the request is limited to a security exemption and staff will follow up on next steps for permits.
The board considered B57-25, a variance and permit request for a rebuilt backyard shed at 711 Somerset Place, Hyattsville. Petitioner Sharon Gilling said an older shed had deteriorated and the current structure was rebuilt to store lawn equipment; she described drainage and slope issues on the lot. Inspector Harrison of Prince George's County said he visited after a complaint and found new construction that he estimated exceeded 150 square feet, requiring a permit. Multiple neighbors testified in support, saying the rebuilt shed improved aesthetics and did not create a nuisance. Vice Chair Johnston moved to approve the variance based on topography and neighborhood support, Member Stanton seconded, and the board voted 3-0 to approve. Inspector Harrison confirmed a citation had been issued for the construction but said his records had not yet been checked for compliance; an application is on file.
The board also approved V61-25, a variance to validate existing lot-area and yard-depth measurements and to allow construction of a 20-by-16 all-season sunroom at 206 Wingfoot Court. Petitioners Emmanuel Baughton and Amanda Frippong described a small house footprint, topographic constraints and homeowner-association support for the addition. Member Stanton moved to approve; Vice Chair Johnston seconded and the motion passed 3-0.
Two cases that required language interpreters were called but the petitioners were not present online (V33-25 and V44-24); the board agreed to reschedule those matters and excused the interpreters. The board also approved the Nov. 5 meeting minutes by unanimous vote and adjourned at about 7 p.m.
Actions taken were procedural and permit-related: approvals of a security-exemption for a front-yard fence (V63-25), a variance and permit validation for a backyard shed (B57-25), and a variance for a rear-yard sunroom (V61-25). For each approved matter board staff will follow up with petitioners about next steps for building permits and any outstanding code citations. The Board repeated that approval of a variance does not remove other required reviews or permit approvals by county permitting offices.
