Neighbors raise boundary and tree concerns over proposed house at 3725 37th Street

At a Mount Rainier city council meeting on Oct. 7, residents urged the council to allow more time for boundary surveys and raised concerns about tree removal and neighborhood congestion related to a proposed single-family house at 3725 37th Street.

Tim Turner, the property owner and presenter, told the council he received county permits after a roughly three-year permitting process and described plans for a two-story craftsman-style house with a full walkout basement, four bedrooms and multiple bathrooms. Turner said he had hoped to preserve three mature trees on the lot but that the city arborist recommended removing one tree because of rot and structural concerns. Turner described a protective technique—root-sleeving—to try to preserve the two remaining trees and said the project will include stormwater measures and a gravel driveway to reduce runoff.

“My partner and I … decided to sell both houses,” Turner said in explaining the property history, and later described the arborist recommendation: the city arborist “recommended taking one [tree] down” because he observed rot and dead wood in the canopy.

Neighbors said the project footprint and unresolved boundary questions could affect the feasibility and impact of the build. Melina Milazzo, who lives on the 3700 block of Wells Avenue and whose property abuts the site, said surveyors hired by the property owner were in her backyard on Aug. 19 without notice and “placed stakes about two feet over into my property,” and asked the council to permit time for an independent boundary survey before further action. Milazzo said the county currently lists the parcel at 5,006 square feet and that any change to the lot lines could change the project’s parcel size.

Another neighbor, Edwin of the 3000 block of Perry, told the council the narrow, peninsula-shaped site and the size of the proposed house would crowd outdoor space for adjacent properties and warrants additional review before construction proceeds.

Several councilmembers urged neighbors and the owner to communicate directly and reminded attendees that enforcement of building permits is a county responsibility. Councilmember Joseph noted local rules the owner should follow during construction, including a local noise ordinance and a city tree ordinance that protects large private trees and requires code review for work affecting them.

The mayor and council emphasized the city’s limited legal authority over county-issued permits and advised residents to raise enforcement concerns directly with Prince George’s County if they believe permit conditions are violated. Turner said he would prefer to resolve any survey disagreement amicably to avoid delays, noting he has a 2021 survey while neighbors are pursuing a more recent survey.

The council took no regulatory action at the meeting; the presentation was informational and the county permit remains in the county’s jurisdiction. The mayor asked residents with concerns to contact the county and the city’s code director, Alma Ferrufino.