Hearing examiner hears case to expand Tranquility Ridge from 8 to 16 residents

The Prince George's County hearing examiner convened Aug. 25 to consider special-exception application SE-24006, in which Tranquility Ridge Inc. asked permission to increase occupancy at its congregate living facility at 5401 Temple Hill Road, Temple Hills, from 8 residents (permitted by right) to 16.

Attorney Matthew Tedesco, representing the applicant, told the examiner that building and grading permits were previously issued by DPIE and that the improvements—approximately 9,223 square feet with 14 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms—are complete. "The fact that all improvements have been made, there are no actual improvements associated with this special exception," he said, adding that the technical staff report (exhibit 26) recommended approval with conditions. Tedesco cited the applicable county code criteria (sections 27-3-17 and 27-3-44) and Maryland case law framing special-exception review.

Owner Dolores Flowers testified that the facility is licensed with the Maryland Office of Health Care Quality, currently houses four residents and has 24/7 care staff. Flowers described interior features shown in exhibits—single bedrooms with private baths, two kitchens, multiple dining areas and an air-filtration system installed during COVID. She said she has applied to participate in a Maryland Medicaid waiver program and will supply county staff with relevant waiting-list documentation if requested.

Traffic and site experts for the applicant testified that the expansion would have minimal community impacts. Traffic consultant Michael Lenhart summarized a trip-generation memo showing the morning peak hour would remain at about two trips and the evening peak would increase from four to five trips under a 16-resident scenario; he concluded this is a de minimis impact. Civil designer Anthony Olexon and land planner Mark Ferguson testified the site meets bulk zoning requirements, includes a restriped five-space parking lot (one ADA), and has woodland buffering; Ferguson said landscape plantings proposed in the record would increase screening along neighbors' rear yards.

Neighbor Candace Barrett, who lives at 5403 Temple Hill Road adjacent to the access easement, spoke in opposition. Barrett raised concerns about micro-neighborhood impacts—visitor traffic, parking strain, and trash receptacles near her property that have at times overflowed onto neighboring lawns. She said she supports the facility at its current occupancy but opposed the requested expansion.

The examiner left the record open for limited items requested at the hearing: a copy of the Prince George's County Medicaid waiver waiting-list documentation and an updated state ethics affidavit with the applicant's residential address. Counsel proffered that the request is for a 16-resident cap and not for any occupancy above 16. The hearing was then closed and the examiner directed that the remaining exhibits be filed to complete the record.