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Board approves 6‑foot front‑yard fence and pool variance for Bowie property
Summary
Counsel for an absent petitioner told the board that a narrow front yard, adjacent access road and conservation easement justify a 6‑foot front yard fence and pool; the board approved the request unanimously (V‑24‑26).
The Prince George's County Board of Appeals approved a variance and security‑exemption request on June 3 allowing a 6‑foot front‑yard fence and pool at 2908 Westbrook Lane in Bowie.
Attorney Edward Andrew Cole, representing the absent petitioner identified in the record as Mr. Grant, said the narrow geometry of the front yard, an adjacent access road and a nearby conservation easement make the lot physically unique and support the requested relief. “The property is physically unique because… it's very narrow in the beginning or in the front of the property and as you get back more into the property, it opens up a lot more,” Cole told the board.
Project architect Alex Davis described the requested 6‑foot fence along a red line in the plans and said the fence is consistent with other properties in the neighborhood. Counsel also told the board that the petitioner is a public figure and argued security concerns support the exemption request; that characterization was offered by counsel as part of the petitioner’s justification.
A board member moved to approve the variance and security exemption; Vice Chair Johnston seconded. The board recorded a unanimous 3–0 vote in favor of the request.
The board noted the fence would run outside easements and that the approval applies to the front‑yard request as presented. The standard post‑approval requirement remains: a building permit must be obtained and the board’s written order submitted to the permits office before permit processing.
