Council approves design review board recommendation for variance at 422420 Ninth Street

The Mount Rainier Mayor and City Council voted unanimously on Dec. 17 to approve the design review board’s recommendation supporting a variance application for 422420 Ninth Street.

Director Alma Ferrufino summarized the design review board process and presented the board’s written recommendation. Ferrufino said the owner, Jacqueline Holland, met with the DRB on Dec. 12 and that “the 4 attending DRB members voted unanimously to support the application,” and that no adjoining property owners had attended to object. The DRB letter concluded the proposed single‑story rear addition would be “aesthetically appropriate to the existing” house, would replace a concrete patio and would not be detrimental to neighbors.

Holland, the property owner, told the council she had lived in Mount Rainier for 30 years and that her neighbors support the plan. She said she was “happy to move forward with this addition.” Council members expressed appreciation for the owner’s long residency and for the DRB’s review. Councilmember Luke summarized construction‑related guidance on the record, including permitted construction hours and tree protections.

Mayor Selena Benitez called for a motion to approve the variance “as recommended by the design review board.” A second was given; the motion “moves unanimously,” the mayor said. The meeting transcript does not list individual roll‑call votes.

The council instructed staff to forward the decision to the appropriate county channels so the applicant may proceed with filings to the Prince George’s County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE).