Submitted by: At the Request of the City Administrator
Submitting Department: Community & Economic Development
Agenda Section: Action
Item Title:
title
Zoning Variance Request V-133-21 - 3107 Lancer Place, Hyattsville
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Suggested Action:
recommendation
I move the City Council authorize the Mayor to send correspondence to the Prince George’s County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) requesting the denial of a variance request for the subject property at 3107 Lancer Place, Hyattsville. The correspondence shall cite the applicant’s request to significantly exceed 25% of the impervious surface for the front yard area and recommendation for the applicant (1) withdraw the variance request, (2) resubmit for a request to validate the existing impervious surface driveway for the purposes of ‘in-kind’ replacement and (3) any additional hardscape within the front yard be limited to pervious materials.
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Summary Background:
The applicant has applied to the Prince George’s County Board of Zoning Appeals for a zoning variance with regards to replacement of an existing parking pad and the addition of 50 square foot of sidewalk between the existing front sidewalk and parking pad for the subject property located at 3107 Lancer Place, Hyattsville, Maryland, 20781.
The subject property includes an existing single-family detached residential structure and is zoned R-55 (One-Family Detached Residential), located in City Council Ward 4 and Residential Parking Zone 8.
The applicant’s front yard is 1,300 square feet and includes a 500 square feet impervious surface driveway, representing 38.46% coverage of the front yard area.
Next Steps:
The City will submit correspondence to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
City Administrator Comments:
The City’s Variance Policy states that, “the City shall as a matter of policy provide letters of support for residents to document a "non-conforming lot" as part of the normal permitting process for projects complying with all other aspects of zoning regulations, unless the matter at hand is the certification of a non-conforming use on a non-conforming lot.
Based upon the findings of the application and corresponding Variance Policy, City Staff recommends the City Council oppose V-133-21 and the applicant revise and resubmit. Given the existing drive pad surface area exceeds 25% front yard coverage, staff recommends additional improvements beyond in-kind replacement utilize pervious materials. The applicant is subject to a City of Hyattsville driveway construction permit prior to making these proposed improvements.
Community Engagement:
The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) reviewed the variance request at its meeting on March 23, 2022 and is holding the record open, pending communication from the City of Hyattsville. The BZA will issue a decision at its next scheduled meeting, upon receipt of communication regarding the subject matter, from the City of Hyattsville.
Strategic Goals:
Goal 3 - Promote a Safe and Vibrant Community
Legal Review Required?
N/A