The Prince George's County Board of Appeals on Oct. 8, 2025, voted 3-0 to grant Raynell Hankerson a waiver of the parking-area location requirement and a variance to construct a 13.4-by-30-foot driveway at 7724 Bender Road in Landover.

Hankerson told the board that heavy parking congestion and an encroaching neighbor driveway left her unable to place a driveway in the typical side location for her house. "There's heavy congestion in my area. There is multiple families, large families to 1 house, and that causes a lot of congestion," Hankerson said. She told the panel that she pursued the county permitting process and that a survey showed the neighbor's driveway encroaching on her property, which led DPIE staff to direct her to seek a variance.

Board members reviewed site photos and noted sloping issues and the lot’s distinct configuration relative to surrounding properties. Member Stanton moved to approve the variance based on testimony and the record; Vice Chair Johnston seconded. Chair Boulware, Vice Chair Johnston and Member Stanton voted in favor, and the motion carried 3-0.

The board’s approval validates the conditions set out in the application and allows Hankerson to proceed with permitting steps; staff will follow up on next steps for building-permit submission and any conditions required by the county. Hankerson said she had no homeowners association and that she discovered the encroachment through survey results and conversations with permitting staff and neighbors.