Prince George’s County Board of Appeals approves five variances, including house additions and a security‑fence waiver

Prince George’s County Board of Appeals Chair Boulware presided over the board’s Feb. 11, 2026 meeting, at which the panel approved five variance requests affecting single‑family properties in Berwyn Heights, Hyattsville, District Heights, Capitol Heights and Clinton.

The board approved V-66-25, a request by Theresa (Teresa) Boring of 5904 Berwyn Road in Berwyn Heights to validate existing conditions and obtain a permit for a three‑story, 603.2‑square‑foot rear addition. Boring told the board the lot was “built in 1942” and is narrower than current RSF‑65 requirements; architect Justin Colin said the design minimizes the footprint and places height toward the rear to avoid changing the street character. Prince George’s County inspector Swann told the board the garage on the parcel predates the current owners; a neighbor had alleged the garage was permitted as a greenhouse to circumvent limits, a claim the petitioner disputed. Vice Chair Johnston moved to approve the variance; the motion passed 3–0.

In Hyattsville the board approved V-71-25 for Gladys Tengen Epsavoma, who operates an assisted‑living home at 2110 East Marshall Place and requested variances so she can convert shared rooms into private spaces. Designer Stefan Lucas told the board the corner lot’s two front setbacks limit expansion options. A nearby resident raised privacy concerns; the board concluded the corner‑lot configuration met the uniqueness criterion and approved the request 3–0.

The board also approved V-72-25 for Keith and Desiree Thompson (7213 Chaparral Drive, District Heights), a post‑fire rebuild that included an unpermitted two‑story addition over part of an existing deck. The Thompsons said their home caught fire in February 2024 and that earlier permitting confusion and a contractor problem delayed approvals; they told the board their decision to enclose part of an existing deck was made while replacing damaged areas. County inspector Swann reported that the constructed addition differs from the plans on file and that no passing inspection for the structure exists; the applicant’s designer said structural and permitting requirements could be enforced during the building‑permit review if the variance were approved. The board voted 3–0 to grant the variance but noted that full permitting and any necessary corrective inspections will occur in the permit process.

In Capitol Heights the board approved V-75-25 for Denanimous/Dynamis Life Ministries International to build a roughly 1,332‑square‑foot two‑story house at 613 61st Avenue by combining two historically narrow lots in the Fairmount Heights subdivision. Attorney Melissa Carter cited prior variances for similarly subdivided lots and county planning guidance encouraging housing supply; the board approved the variance 3–0.

Finally, the board granted a waiver of the parking‑location requirement and a security exemption for a 6‑foot fence at 5906 Kirby Road in Clinton (V-79-25). New homeowners Jacqueline Mendoza and Diego Martinez Rivera cited safety concerns for children and pets and said a retail parking lot behind their property draws strangers to the backyard area. After a brief recess and questions about parking patterns the board approved the combined requests 3–0.

Votes at a glance

- V-66-25 (5904 Berwyn Road, Berwyn Heights): Approved 3–0 (moved by Vice Chair Johnston; seconded by Member Stanton). - V-71-25 (2110 East Marshall Place, Hyattsville): Approved 3–0 (moved by Vice Chair Johnston; seconded by Member Stanton). - V-72-25 (7213 Chaparral Drive, District Heights): Approved 3–0 (moved by Vice Chair Johnston; seconded by Member Stanton). County inspector noted unpermitted work and that structural/inspection issues remain to be resolved in permitting. - V-75-25 (613 61st Avenue, Capitol Heights): Approved 3–0 (moved by Vice Chair Johnston; seconded by Member Stanton). - V-79-25 (5906 Kirby Road, Clinton): Approved 3–0 (motion combined security exemption and parking waiver; moved by Member Stanton; seconded by Vice Chair Johnston).

What it means next

Approval of a variance is not a building permit. Petitioners were instructed to file the board’s written order with the county permitting office and to pursue any required structural plans, inspections and permits; county inspectors said those permit reviews will identify and require correction of any structural deficiencies or unpermitted work before a final certificate of occupancy is issued.

The board also approved its Jan. 28, 2026 meeting minutes and adjourned at 7:21 p.m. The next Board of Appeals meeting was scheduled for February 2026.