District council defers Donald v Borgwort Funeral Home crematory proposal to Feb. 9

The Prince George’s County district council on Jan. 26 deferred a special‑exception application from Donald v Borgwort Funeral Home PA that would add a 1,664 sq ft crematory to an existing funeral‑home accessory structure at 4400 Powder Mill Road in Beltsville.

During staff presentation, a councilmember said they needed additional time to read the record and moved to defer the matter. The clerk entered a notation that the item would be deferred to the council’s scheduled oral‑argument hearing on Feb. 9, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Why it matters: The application would alter an accessory structure for a long‑established business in Beltsville and several nearby residents were listed as opposed to the request in the record. The deferment means the council will consider the application again at a formal oral‑argument hearing where the parties and any opponents can be heard more fully.

What the transcript records Staff described the request as an expansion to add a 1,664 sq ft crematory and associated parking on 1.74 acres in an RR rural residential zone. The transcript lists two opponents by name (Deborah Baggett and Steven Smith). At the moment of action, a councilmember said: "I need to read this in more detail. I'd like to defer it until February 9." The clerk subsequently noted the item would be deferred to that date.

Next steps The item is scheduled for oral argument before the district council on Feb. 9, 2026 at 10 a.m., at which point the council may hear testimony, ask additional questions, and decide whether to affirm, modify, or reverse the zoning hearing examiner's recommendation.

Quote: "I'd like to defer it until February 9," the councilmember said during the meeting.

The council took no final vote on the substance of the crematory request on Jan. 26.