[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6331288,"mediaKeyId","2311973-7901414f760e6499f1c43cb91d177437","parentId",2311973,"title","Board continues Cullison subdivision variance to March 13 after noticing error","audioSeconds",64,"startMs",130699,"endMs",195435,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2311973-7901414f760e6499f1c43cb91d177437&start=130&end=195","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2311973-7901414f760e6499f1c43cb91d177437/thumbnail_130699.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6331288/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Board-continues-Cullison-subdivision-variance-to-March-13-after-noticing-error","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6331288-e75e4a2b440506a73363e23e1c720442/orig.mp4?Expires=1775965824&Signature=G1ricLZX61UXMgt2hz4FH4ATpf1GAkWzZURhJ9E8eywmd1GhRqKIWt3w-YPYYd8uJyl0JEsJWDrI2ocdNL-aAqmCq22~YrJ-bCX-RRTPBX98F0fY4DQL6U4JhTwGpDmHr~9lejhow1~Qc5kzGgO1YKTiXsgLUKPc7SEZuu2r3SOyU8HSjIr~GpVp0dSMm8b1cQrDfzCB6kfgnGyJb22GlLd386sKSsaGzBPbJL0K-UYHJg6~JvuJLwyYPVjzoaAdCD5S86HWkM25qTooGsyqMzvakaDhFdSAXcpmYR4Sh-milxK7C~pNPDDhWAL2EofJ3x~WRC-jFh-u4hF633GOPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-02-13T22:38:15Z","article","The St. Mary's County Board of Appeals granted a continuance for the Cullison Subdivision variance application (VAAP 24‑0338) at the start of the Feb. 13 hearing after counsel said an error was identified in some of the public notices sent to neighbors.

Applicant counsel represented that staff and counsel had conferred and concluded it would be appropriate to continue the public hearing to allow corrected notices and full public notice. The parties agreed on a new date and the board moved and seconded the continuance to March 13, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote and staff noted the matter would return on that date.

No substantive testimony or deliberation on the merits occurred at the Feb. 13 session because the applicant requested the continuance for notice correction purposes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2/13/25 Board of Appeals","oneSentenceSummary","A Cullison Subdivision variance application (VAAP 24‑0338) was continued at the applicant's request to March 13, 2025, after staff and counsel said an error in the mailed notices justified postponement; the board granted the continuance by unanimous voice vote.","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},6331293,"Board continues Riverside Townhomes appeal and related variances to March 27 after lengthy presentation and traffic questions",6649,5130430,11780040,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2311973-7901414f760e6499f1c43cb91d177437&start=5130&end=11780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2311973-7901414f760e6499f1c43cb91d177437/thumbnail_5130430.jpg","/articles/6331293/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Board-continues-Riverside-Townhomes-appeal-and-related-variances-to-March-27-after-lengthy-presentation-and-traffic-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6331293-8977ba55d36bed66b543dc5d59a60df4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775965824&Signature=grX05PisKGPYn63~~zbjIFvaDwbwKGkynIH4Ho2NG8C46gifCTK5TIeoWsm9C~1RMgbhf3aqbJivWpPTT6SecCMCBkx0wFhAsWW03S2nA48Af3KHlVwTU2Fq4fXbEc808SyjjV4Q58Nfaj6J~omDkU23Jfc90l593JbDKRlKayq6hwFXROXF2GDJnp~KiSw-rjx4AFCBwxzVWYZiUvOhKsjqBccTEvXq6HRCe2~GqD~mt7yxNQIWsr9Sf0EEMvmB7LGgwBj3V~V6vEw7g5vM9oetfHqX97bYHGLYaUWyRoTtzkm7AqM2Lkqm3utueyztIbves2uHR9gXpPrXfszwCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Mary's County Board of Appeals continued the de novo appeal of the Planning Commission's Nov. 18, 2024 denial of concept approval for a 42‑unit townhouse project (ZAAP24‑0018, Riverside Townhomes) to March 27, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., to allow additional time for board questions and for applicant follow‑up on materials and neighbor outreach.

Staff presented that the 4.75‑acre MXM‑zoned site on Three Notch (Md. 235) in Lexington Park is proposed for 42 attached dwelling units (approximately 8.8 units per acre). Staff reported the concept submission met many technical standards in the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO) subject to two variances: (1) removal of half of a Type B buffer along the boundary adjacent to Lot 522 and (2) a variance to remove a 75‑foot setback along a specific boundary. Staff noted the project proposes to purchase 19 Transferable Development Rights (TDRs) to meet density rules, meets the 20% minimum landscaping requirement with a proposed 25.3% landscaping cover, and proposed 92 parking spaces (the code minimum is 84).

Applicant representatives — including civil engineer Joe Kajeski, traffic engineer Michael Lenhart, and attorney Sang Oh — gave a detailed presentation. The plan proposes a single right‑in/right‑out access onto Md. 235, shoulder and sidewalk improvements along the entire frontage, multiple bioretention features and a submerged gravel wetland for stormwater management, and a type‑B buffer of roughly 65 feet along the western residential boundary as shown on the concept plan; the applicant is requesting a variance that would alter buffer requirements along a portion of the boundary adjacent to Lot 522. Staff noted forest conservation will be met partly on site and partly by fee‑in‑lieu.

Traffic was a principal area of board questioning. The applicant submitted a traffic impact study and counts, and State Highway Administration (SHA) reviewed and approved the access location. The applicant proposed pro‑rata mitigation in the form of a payment toward signalization of MD 235 at FDR Boulevard — a county priority — and proposed shoulder improvements and sidewalk connections along the frontage. Applicant traffic testimony summarized peak‑hour trip generation for the site as 19 AM peak trips (3 in / 16 out) and 24 PM peak trips (16 in / 8 out) and showed existing peak 1‑hour volumes on Md. 235 of more than 2,600 vehicles near the site. The applicant proposed a contribution (cited in the hearing as $3,500) as the pro‑rata fee in lieu for the intersection mitigation; the final fee calculation and escrow arrangement will be subject to usual timing and fee‑calculation procedures.

Multiple board members pressed the applicant on safety and the presence of school bus stops on Md. 235, on the potential to use an unimproved private 30‑foot right‑of‑way (By The Mill Road) for secondary access (applicant said ownership and unwillingness to sell removed that option), and on outreach to adjacent commercial owners (a dentist) and potentially affected neighbors. The applicant acknowledged it had not yet engaged directly with the dental office owner on screening/fencing options and confirmed additional coordination could occur prior to the continued hearing.

After extended questioning and because several board members requested more time to review documents and coordinate outstanding exhibits, the board voted to continue both the de novo appeal and the related variance application to March 27, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. The applicant consented to the continuance; staff will accept additional exhibits and the applicant will return prepared to address outstanding questions about traffic mitigation specifics, landscaping/retaining‑wall details and neighbor outreach.","The Board of Appeals continued the de novo appeal of Planning Commission denial for the Riverside Townhomes concept site plan (ZAAP24‑0018) and the related variances to March 27, 2025, after an extended applicant presentation and detailed traffic, buffer and neighbor‑outreach discussion.",{"_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},6331298,"Board approves after‑the‑fact variance for shoreline revetment and fill in Mechanicsville",2775,1815810,4590960,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2311973-7901414f760e6499f1c43cb91d177437&start=1815&end=4590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2311973-7901414f760e6499f1c43cb91d177437/thumbnail_1815810.jpg","/articles/6331298/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Board-approves-afterthefact-variance-for-shoreline-revetment-and-fill-in-Mechanicsville","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6331298-c5ca4a638cd8fcefcd87b9e76426a188/orig.mp4?Expires=1775965824&Signature=Ndg9XvUgza~s4GavuAX~FGm3AJrodEvGVOVvD2ybUS5IHD2J1mwd22lL-LH9lB-dUsBx0yXT6HoJZKRjVSOq8eKaIKRtkz5Q-qD6fmbND4aWf5Bkxt~w0Zth~1cwJqpzHKh4NdRR6Pz-mt68oBIy1EM~PvbskazPnVIzZgJqGwowAmlj1NljfCKNgAh63Vf4tdwexNA4W5giJiUNcCp2NVFqaU6gGP0lu0OAjRfGXAPEpZK9YKfjOQiZkh6D731Qi4PVeBQ8DkYJmg-Ofd3PLM2udi2oNN~N4N5i0fqqSFAH08ctWWRt~3u~n9XQn0TWj3~i~urE1g328BqQ1RSvfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Mary's County Board of Appeals unanimously approved an after‑the‑fact variance for disturbance of the 100‑foot critical‑area buffer to allow placement of stone and fill material at 40405 Beach Drive in Mechanicsville (VAAP 23‑0534).

Margaret McLaughlin, the property owner, testified under oath that she applied to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) for a permit to replace a pier in 2022 and believed the contractor performing the work was operating within the scope of that permit. During an inspection, MDE and county inspectors determined that additional revetment and fill had been installed above mean high water without authorization. McLaughlin described a multi‑year effort to resolve the issue with MDE and county staff, including removal of rock forward of mean high water when required by MDE, communication with MDE on a compliance pathway, and payment of a civil citation.

Staff said the property consists of about 22,124 square feet, lies in a Limited Development Area critical‑area overlay, and that mitigation and a planting agreement were required for an after‑the‑fact variance. The planting agreement and a bond for violation mitigation were in place and recorded in the land records; staff reported mitigation of 10,087 square feet had been specified in the planting plan and the planting agreement was on file with LUGM.

Applicant counsel and the owner told the board the property experienced shoreline erosion and that the revetment and associated fill were installed to stabilize the shoreline. They presented aerial photos and MDE correspondence; McLaughlin said she removed rock seaward of mean high water per MDE direction and ultimately proceeded with an after‑the‑fact variance application. The applicant's attorney said the owner bore significant time and expense to resolve the matter with MDE and county staff.

Board members discussed whether the county or board had authority to waive after‑the‑fact mitigation, and the board attorney and members said the statutory framework and Critical Area Commission rules leave no local relief valve to avoid the planting agreement, bond or other after‑the‑fact mitigation requirements. After discussion, Guy Bradley moved to approve the after‑the‑fact variance under Saint Mary's County CZO section 71.8.3; the motion passed unanimously 5‑0. Staff will prepare the written order for board signature within 60 days; a 30‑day appeal period follows the signing.","The board unanimously approved an after‑the‑fact variance for placement of fill material and stone behind a revetment at 40405 Beach Drive (VAAP 23‑0534). The owner entered a recorded planting agreement and posted a bond; the board noted the county cannot waive statutory requirements for after‑the‑fact mitigation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6331302,"Board approves variance for detached deck in critical-area buffer at Leonardtown property",1575,204320,1779590,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2311973-7901414f760e6499f1c43cb91d177437&start=204&end=1779","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2311973-7901414f760e6499f1c43cb91d177437/thumbnail_204320.jpg","/articles/6331302/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Board-approves-variance-for-detached-deck-in-critical-area-buffer-at-Leonardtown-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6331302-b875f763333cf3971cd4e3078b4015fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775965824&Signature=oTfbl25aoQQhj6CC4SXIccdA5FXohEknrIGkcS60qaKetgp5-KPcnVGE7e5gFaewaim0tYH0jS9E-P9urnruh2sWRc2wehCwDc7ARnkShgPMDUOqOit2CrfdMryKKqTQ6lY6Z5tS9MqN5G7nI8JyHlYPfJxrIwmsWIx80I-Z0Gw58v8qAyUtLf6CE-KCP4N0VmWNGtgPIOw5PiXb17K8F2XUrd~onq~82uNFjLrC2Fs82TZmbJ7y8J915PB1yXBMuT9eyezu0wZRotQEyLykzubjPjR4WAaCOBdR5mJoYR2E9KrjALCgsMSMSak8SxJTrKZxyfpAzBBwCSDs0kFDpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Mary's County Board of Appeals on Feb. 13 approved a variance allowing the construction of a detached, 20-foot-diameter deck within the 100-foot critical-area buffer at 40026 Ben Morgan Road in Leonardtown.

The approval came after a staff presentation and testimony from the applicants, Elizabeth and Jason Soller, who said the house — an approximately 100-year-old former oyster-shucking house on Combs Creek — is largely within the critical area and that available area outside the buffer is limited by a 2016 septic field. The board voted unanimously to grant relief from Saint Mary's County Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance section 71.8.3 to permit disturbance of the critical-area buffer for an at‑grade, detached deck and steps.

Staff described the application, said public notice and certified mailings were completed, and noted that the project will require a buffer/planting plan and a critical-area planting agreement approved by Land Use and Growth Management (LUGM) staff before a building permit can be issued. The applicant told the board the deck would be built on above‑ground post mounts, would not require tree removal, and would be constructed to allow water flow through decking slots. A witness, Andrew Samworth, described the deck as low‑profile — roughly 1–2 feet high at the high point and up to 3–4 feet at the downslope end — and said the sloping across the 20-foot span is slight.

Board members questioned setbacks, lot coverage and the meaning of “non‑water dependent” used by the Critical Area Commission; staff and the applicant answered that the deck would be detached, built to minimize soil disturbance, and that LUGM and the Health Department had approved the site plan for zoning and floodplain requirements. The applicant said they were prepared to mitigate with native plantings and that the septic system location limited options for an attached deck. The applicant and staff noted the Soil Conservation and Stormwater reviews were not required because disturbance was below the 5,000-square-foot threshold for those reviews.

Ronald Payne moved to approve the variance (motion text recorded in the minutes). A second was made and the board voted unanimously in favor. Staff will prepare the written order for the board to sign within 60 days; a 30‑day appeal period follows the signature date.

The order will require the planting and an approved buffer management/planting plan and the execution of a critical-area planting agreement prior to building-permit issuance. The exact amount of mitigation referenced in the hearing transcript was not stated clearly; staff must record the precise mitigation acreage or square footage in the final order and in permit conditions.","The St. Mary's County Board of Appeals unanimously approved a variance allowing a detached 20-foot-diameter deck within the 100-foot critical-area buffer at 40026 Ben Morgan Road, with planting and a critical-area planting agreement required before building permits are issued.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board continues Cullison subdivision variance to March 13 after noticing error

Board continues Riverside Townhomes appeal and related variances to March 27 after lengthy presentation and traffic questions

Board approves after‑the‑fact variance for shoreline revetment and fill in Mechanicsville

Board approves variance for detached deck in critical-area buffer at Leonardtown property