[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6357500,"mediaKeyId","2214620-961fdaa24367e978d120a95e5421c266","parentId",2214620,"title","Board grants buffers and limited parking variances for St. Mary’s Marketplace with conditions","audioSeconds",4185,"startMs",1718000,"endMs",5903000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2214620-961fdaa24367e978d120a95e5421c266&start=1718&end=5903","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2214620-961fdaa24367e978d120a95e5421c266/thumbnail_1718000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6357500/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Board-grants-buffers-and-limited-parking-variances-for-St-Marys-Marketplace-with-conditions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357500-a8b1cf34e946ca5cdc411502dca9bc22/orig.mp4?Expires=1775000779&Signature=gBbGukVj3sE7tEqX4F7zLv-cHafu4MegEXsY0g2rbtiCYZAvlPYZ~xGrMkOXh3zrBERnKzFPcd4NlQtx7tGdFN6QXK9uTu7heTYyV3vqDKYABxMUZY2eRbiT6Hgf88yWRsJ3HE~oFAIiwEl7Bx1DPsvxtvIqanOARqFNESX-hfXk~GlvEdvrMR27v~nr0uqY6y4PfK9h2psDaN1oGu7jA-IrAskaiPXwaSVEoWMBdyMgkcAjL8294QotfX0-hlCiSS21xk-hEmaQq~nDY9PT94eV~ZO313ImGmvlbT2vOfoznQRF9qN8g3PKcYK5NXj6LYpmGZcVuoFj1bvOCj-cUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-02-03T19:17:10Z","article","The St. Mary's County Board of Appeals on April 9 approved variances for the proposed St. Mary's Marketplace in California, Md., allowing reduced buffer yards along Maryland Route 4 and the new FDR Boulevard and a reduction of up to 12 required off‑street parking spaces.

The applicant, identified in public filings as California LLC with NG&O Engineering as agent, requested exemptions from Section 63.4 (buffer yards) and Section 64.3 (off‑street parking) of the St. Mary's County Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for a roughly 15‑acre CMX‑zoned site at the Route 235/Route 4 intersection.

John Norris, representing the applicant, and traffic engineer Mike Lenhart presented the project to the board, saying the redevelopment would construct the final segment of FDR Boulevard, reduce the number of vehicular entrances onto Route 235, and donate and convey parcels to the county for future intersection or roadway improvements. Norris said the applicant will provide a more intensive C‑type buffer planting where buffers are narrowed and proposed a decorative wrought‑iron‑style fence along reduced buffers. The applicant also sought flexibility to shortfall up to 12 parking spaces to allow for final engineering adjustments related to stormwater management and site layout; the conceptual plans show a deficiency of about nine spaces but the applicant requested up to 12 to cover potential adjustments.

Staff recommended approval after finding the standards for granting variances were met because the property fronts multiple major roads, will be partially conveyed for public improvements, and requires land for the roadway and stormwater management. Yvonne Schley told the board the applicant had worked with county agencies and the State Highway Administration through the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) and that staff concluded the narrowed but more intensively planted buffers met the ordinance’s intent.

During public testimony, nearby resident William (Bill) Clemons of 2323 Notch Road, who lives opposite the SMECO substation, asked about entrances, landscaping, and the applicant’s plans for the area that will be conveyed to the county. The applicant’s team explained the hiker/biker trail, proposed planting areas, and coordination with SMECO regarding utility easements that restrict planting in portions of the corridor.

The board approved the variances with conditions that include: erecting a 6‑foot decorative wrought‑iron‑style fence along reduced buffers; substitution of suitable plantings for the southeast corner to enhance appearance; relocating and planting the required A buffer in a 15‑foot strip between the proposed hiker‑biker trail and parcels to be conveyed; and a requirement that the applicant maintain and replace any dying trees or shrubs in required buffer yards. The board accepted staff’s findings as the factual basis for approval and directed staff to prepare an order; the order will be signed within 60 days and is subject to a 30‑day appeal period after signature.

The applicant emphasized the project’s transportation benefits, including the FDR Boulevard extension and lane improvements on Route 4; consultant Mike Lenhart presented a traffic simulation showing reduced congestion on Route 4 once the connection is complete. The board and staff noted the project’s landscaping ratio exceeds county requirements and that the reduced buffer widths will be offset by more intensive planting in the narrower zones.

The board’s approval allows the project to proceed to subsequent county reviews and to the Board of County Commissioners for related actions; staff will provide the signed order to the applicant and public once prepared.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/9/2009 St. Mary's County Zoning Board of Appeals","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved variances to reduce buffer widths and to allow up to 12 fewer parking spaces for the proposed St. Mary's Marketplace at the MD 235/MD 4 intersection, subject to a decorative fence, plantings, buffer relocation, and maintenance conditions.","taxTitle","St. Mary's County, Maryland","taxId",51086,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6357505,"Board approves variance to record 1988 deeded lot in rural preservation district",664,873000,1537000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2214620-961fdaa24367e978d120a95e5421c266&start=873&end=1537","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2214620-961fdaa24367e978d120a95e5421c266/thumbnail_873000.jpg","/articles/6357505/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Board-approves-variance-to-record-1988-deeded-lot-in-rural-preservation-district","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357505-851d52db93bb6bc26182d5ad32b67a15/orig.mp4?Expires=1775000779&Signature=FELQfaV~rERAv8RL6lJAxdgVhLEpj8R2YvsOMNm~Jt6Xi7SmmF70FM27ZvCDjAbIGUvQs2hh0BFNQiV4zjkBTwPWTcureBTLULyL3T-fEf1093c73~gwZmTGoEox5oZlIpad~s1-31qTrCEwoboJluHmzCjwiA-o2fAbdgr9Y9N7Aa9Li3clICbm9~WYwbNLtoiHlE42h8aPo-8IBcoi89uQh9vHj0Hevnckjia3Z-SDP2zsV59LUgjVa-~TgUsOsyvyewwPvlVLOMVLpNp3whhDhn8UHxO176s2pRr-dZ2O9lqMSfuMZ5FpWqxi0bv9EI8~3~vJ~laidf5qaRRSEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Mary's County Board of Appeals on April 9 approved a variance allowing the recording of a subdivision around existing conditions for a parcel created by deed in 1988 in the Rural Preservation District.

The applicants, Elizabeth Mary Waskovich and Joseph Stanley Waskovich, sought relief from Section 32.1 of the St. Mary's County Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to increase density in the Rural Preservation District so that an existing deeded parcel of about 1.2 acres could be legally recorded and sold. Staff said the parcel was created by deed in 1988 without the subdivision plat recording required under county subdivision regulations adopted in 1978.

An attorney for the applicants described the matter as a “parcel of record” issue arising countywide when older deeds were recorded without a corresponding plat. The staff report said subdivision regulations at the time required plats; because the deed was recorded without a plat, the parcel is not technically a parcel of record under current land‑recording practice. The property totals 2.7 acres and currently contains two houses; subdividing the property around those existing conditions would create two lots smaller than the current 5‑acre density requirement in the Rural Preservation District.

Staff recommended approval, finding practical difficulty because the conditions (existing deeds and built conditions) predate current subdivision and zoning standards and were not the fault of the current applicants. The board accepted the staff report as findings of fact and approved the variance to allow subdivision around existing conditions so that the recorded plat will reflect the deeds recorded in county land records. Board members authorized staff to have the chair sign the final order outside of a hearing so the subdivision could be recorded sooner; staff will schedule an open public meeting if signatures require a quorum outside a regular hearing schedule.

The board noted the applicants had obtained individual county agency approvals through the Technical Evaluation Committee and said the county will mail the signed order to the applicants; any appeal must be filed within 30 days of the order’s signature.","The Board granted a variance to allow subdivision around existing conditions for a parcel deeded in 1988, bringing the lot into conformance with historical deeding despite current 5‑acre density in the Rural Preservation District.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6357509,"Board of Appeals reaffirms variance for Riverwood Farm lot after health-department septic clarification",971,54000,1025000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2214620-961fdaa24367e978d120a95e5421c266&start=54&end=1025","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2214620-961fdaa24367e978d120a95e5421c266/thumbnail_54000.jpg","/articles/6357509/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Board-of-Appeals-reaffirms-variance-for-Riverwood-Farm-lot-after-health-department-septic-clarification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357509-647af322014da75671284b4ef376ffd0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775000779&Signature=T7TAWDINhvjN3rF8aDD4D7jx88velPYWrPKsRSp6A5SjzTd7r1x5Qtbif3P7d7TYLg-qnq~8VXs07xR7c9Nz7G2-Vg7gOh1rGbuHVvFj7ObRIJerafek2B9RmEp37x55uO4ErfAmNQLhq00lgtGlBF8NcwMp5UBJiV~a9oqNKzY~x4DEzI8JQYP~gxCzvriOmfCVIbwFnPHjYpjdtpPCvzkeY83X5hZgYzglgkFhSpzBRTlyheWP53pTXtNU63tLwrk29z9vQg5oMOis8mk45sSOtTdmp2JX72~xz5Bce15ChgAnG2qUJaSt-TgpUPYP8gGlmIdeoKxp721Rjt65RA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Mary's County Board of Appeals on April 9 affirmed its earlier December approval of a variance for a Riverwood Farm lot in Mechanicsville that will allow clearing and grading tied to an initial and future septic reserve area.

The action reaffirmed a variance from Section 71.7 and Section 71.8.3 of the St. Mary's County Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to disturb steep slopes and to clear vegetation and add lot coverage within the critical area buffer to construct a single-family home at 27215 Cat Creek Road.

The vote came after staff explained the board previously approved the plan in December but returned the case for reconsideration after Environmental Health revised its position. Yvonne Schley, Zoning Administrator, told the board that Environmental Health later concluded septic reserve areas must be a minimum of 25 feet from steep slopes and that, because much of the lot is steep and highly erodible, grading the proposed septic reserve areas would be necessary to comply with state requirements. Schley said staff found the standards for granting a critical-area variance were met and recommended approval subject to a planting agreement and other conditions.

Bill Higgs, Professional Land Surveyor with LSR Incorporated and the agent for the owner Golden West Construction, told the board the project will follow the site plan previously presented in December and that the cleared areas would be replanted after construction. Higgs said a geotechnical evaluation had previously recommended pervious pavers for driveways but that soils would not support them; the applicant will use an alternative driveway surface and staff clarified the final motion does not require pervious pavers.

The board approved the motion to grant the variances subject to conditions that include adherence to the critical-area planting agreement at a 3:1 mitigation ratio for the square footage of variance granted and environmental review of buffer mitigation by county staff. The board noted the applicant must replant disturbed areas once construction is complete and may plant in the same area designated for the future septic reserve after grading is finished.

Board members present heard there was limited buildable flat area on the roughly 2-acre lot and that staff determined an unwarranted hardship standard had been met because, without the variances, the property could not be developed as proposed. The board advised the applicant that an approved order would be signed and mailed; any appeal by an aggrieved party must be filed to the circuit court within 30 days of the order’s signature.

The board’s approval reaffirmed the December findings with the additional condition reflecting the health department’s requirements and the planting/mitigation conditions stated in staff’s recommendation.","The St. Mary’s County Board of Appeals approved a reconsideration to reaffirm a December variance allowing clearing and grading on a Riverwood Farm lot so future and initial septic reserve areas meet state spacing requirements; approval is subject to mitigation planting and other conditions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board grants buffers and limited parking variances for St. Mary’s Marketplace with conditions

Board approves variance to record 1988 deeded lot in rural preservation district

Board of Appeals reaffirms variance for Riverwood Farm lot after health-department septic clarification