[{"_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",6278550,"mediaKeyId","2640808-ae01c4b0756a223ebde853e95d3d8406","parentId",2640808,"title","Board of Appeals approves variance for Tall Timbers house to add guest quarters despite exceeding lot-coverage limit","audioSeconds",1813,"startMs",119000,"endMs",1932000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2640808-ae01c4b0756a223ebde853e95d3d8406&start=119&end=1932","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2640808-ae01c4b0756a223ebde853e95d3d8406/thumbnail_119000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6278550/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Board-of-Appeals-approves-variance-for-Tall-Timbers-house-to-add-guest-quarters-despite-exceeding-lot-coverage-limit","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278550-e87fc1a6e91922728ed84a45a3e30757/orig.mp4?Expires=1775550469&Signature=JhMGNrmmwuka3J5~bFAweS-NoCuyvN83tdPRzl58d1qeADEgckqsDvgViiFlP4EZVwxtQMo-cJkM48hltI1tD3Y4KivyxzDl5sYOB3t2zKYK6DxEuj6cZnzxBdqXe6NvcsJ4YqzK3bJ54PpasM09p9O~tGS6tLsXIiC0pxaQKtAUrZl~AaHdyQ5fQKpmzJjMrYDftR3mgGRLm4VdbnW3Lq3iNj4iXFKICqYmEn2UGKO00l-357-Vuy8d1AnED2t9PfsPK4yON5I~oOtQW31e8ovBq6fevuRD-1o3vPfoQz8doabAIcX4F2dZHg5969vk6f3YfacV~YA3cbVMiQp2-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-03-14T16:04:04Z","article","LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The St. Mary’s County Board of Appeals on March 13 approved a variance that lets property owners at 18151 River Road in Tall Timbers build a guest quarters and two additions even though the project will leave the lot above the county’s permitted lot-coverage limit.

The variance (VAAP 24-2067) was approved 4–1. Board staff reported the parcel is 10,000 square feet in size, zoned Rural Preservation District (RPD) with a Limited Development Area critical-area overlay, and that the lot’s allowable impervious coverage is 31.25 percent (3,125 square feet). County documents show the lot currently calculates at 4,138 square feet of coverage; the applicant proposes to remove some existing coverage and build new structures that would bring the calculated total to about 3,976 square feet — still 851 square feet over the allowable limit.

The proposal includes a 16-by-42 guest quarters, two additions to the existing home, and removal of a portion of driveway, steps, a shed and a sidewalk. Land use staff told the board the applicant will plant 2,553 square feet of mitigation and must obtain a buffer-management plan and related approvals before a building permit is issued.

Why it matters: the property lies inside the county’s critical‑area overlay; staff and the applicant stressed the application reduces impervious area in some buffer locations and requires mitigation and recorded agreements before construction begins.

The applicant’s attorney, Chris Longmore, said the project “will be a net benefit to the water quality and to the critical area,” citing a letter from the state Critical Area Commission that noted the proposed changes would reduce lot coverage and recommended the board evaluate unwarranted‑hardship standards. Longmore described the lot and house as “grandfathered” and said the owners seek to improve the property while meeting critical-area planting requirements.

Board members asked staff to confirm specifics: allowable coverage, the amount of coverage removed, and whether the guest quarters would be a separate dwelling. The applicant clarified the guest quarters will not include a full kitchen and will not be a separate, independent dwelling unit; Metcom (the local utility) will serve the unit and it will have water and a bathroom. Staff confirmed the mitigation and planning agreement are required and must be recorded.

After discussion the board approved the variance 4–1. The board directed staff to prepare the order reflecting the decision; the order will be signed by the board within 60 days and starts a 30‑day appeal period from the date the order is signed.

Ending: The board’s order and the staff file will specify the planting/mitigation and any recording requirements that must be satisfied before a building permit can be issued.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","3/13/25 Board of Appeals","oneSentenceSummary","The St. Mary’s County Board of Appeals on March 13 approved a variance for 18151 River Road in Tall Timbers that will allow owners to add guest quarters and two additions although the resulting calculated lot coverage will remain above the county limit.","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},6278541,"Board allows one additional house on Montana Way private lane after hours of neighbor testimony; requires recorded road‑maintenance agreement",6610,5060000,11670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2640808-ae01c4b0756a223ebde853e95d3d8406&start=5060&end=11670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2640808-ae01c4b0756a223ebde853e95d3d8406/thumbnail_5060000.jpg","/articles/6278541/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Board-allows-one-additional-house-on-Montana-Way-private-lane-after-hours-of-neighbor-testimony-requires-recorded-roadmaintenance-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278541-6eedce19d0f694369a1774a2e4d5888b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775550469&Signature=exjlggetD3tQWHjAantDWlLgf~ScYaev7T7xK-Oq4rW2bGzLlc~lRX150N6ffINU~lTE4VDN4Be-tLZ5gtnXr4OrYwyD3vdLz-3l9Gg9Al1a0oKL8Kx4lQazklc-gJvxC1DtLs779ANHBbF7RbBUJPCu01-uq~riCCimgryMOyDYqb4tlc9PUR~FST3kI~0s2MpAlAk5oo4YypKbwaH-DdxczQbaHBk08XlbtsmIHk3wtSBcNiuwXw3wIXCuTz2t9y~T9BfCKruq-pq~MlRkNZsayKoZO-uDZnaTgJ9U1d538uKxMdyDOFI4z~~EdNFrUKkw7~E2sCcSBKhPjZcoiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Following extended public testimony and questioning, the St. Mary’s County Board of Appeals voted 4–1 on March 13 to permit a one‑lot minor subdivision that will create an additional buildable lot served by Montana Way, a privately maintained right of way in the Leonardtown area.

The application (VAAP 24‑0338) seeks a variance from the county subdivision standards that would otherwise require an upgrade of the private right of way when more than seven lots rely on it. Board staff reported Montana Way currently serves seven platted lots and four farmsteads. The Cullison parcel is about 6.81 acres; the applicants propose one new single‑family buildable lot intended for family use.

Why it matters: neighbors testified at length that Montana Way is narrow in places, has steep drop‑offs and limited pull‑off areas, and currently lacks a county‑recorded road‑maintenance agreement. Several speakers said business activity at the road’s end increases traffic and wear; others noted past cases where access from Montana Way was denied for nearby lots.

Applicant Chris Longmore, representing Clayton and Jessica Cullison, said upgrading Montana Way to county road standards would be cost‑prohibitive (likely six figures) and would change the rural character of the lane. Longmore told the board the Cullisons propose only a single house — initially for the owners’ parents — and that the property otherwise meets other subdivision and zoning requirements for a buildable lot. He said the property owners are willing to record the required road‑maintenance agreement and to cooperate with neighbors over maintenance and snow removal.

Neighbors urged denial or delay. Representative comments included Heather Farren’s statement that “the majority of the neighbors … ask you to not approve this,” and Heather Wilt’s concern that “I don’t want to add more to it” given the narrow roadway and safety issues for children and pets. Multiple residents said they had not been contacted by the applicants before the hearing and asked for a recorded maintenance agreement and clearer communication among property owners.

Staff noted that a signed road‑maintenance agreement is required by the county’s subdivision procedures and that applicants must record appropriate documents if the variance is granted. Longmore said his clients will execute and record the county form of road‑maintenance agreement and are willing to negotiate additional neighbor maintenance arrangements.

After deliberation the board approved the variance 4–1. The approval includes the condition that the Cullisons submit and record the required road‑maintenance agreement and comply with other pre‑recordation requirements listed in the staff memorandum; staff will prepare the formal order for signature within 60 days. The order’s signature starts a 30‑day appeal period.","The St. Mary’s County Board of Appeals voted 4–1 to allow one additional buildable lot off Montana Way, a private right of way in Leonardtown, after hearing extensive neighbor concerns about narrow road width, limited passing areas and lack of a recorded maintenance agreement.",{"_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},6278546,"Board unanimously approves variance for Hollywood waterfront property after owners pay bond and record planting agreement",2623,2026000,4649000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2640808-ae01c4b0756a223ebde853e95d3d8406&start=2026&end=4649","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2640808-ae01c4b0756a223ebde853e95d3d8406/thumbnail_2026000.jpg","/articles/6278546/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Board-unanimously-approves-variance-for-Hollywood-waterfront-property-after-owners-pay-bond-and-record-planting-agreement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278546-204ab56bbcbb22b8983880436b02b9da/orig.mp4?Expires=1775550469&Signature=AeiBaKdBATcC2ZrII4vX86qpT0ph2wwiPkNtEy6Fs5b8VtT2rgNbqydW5Sf7BMUvQaZNyPbajjSYc~zksoE4jjIZ0Gb1WYPW~F9znIddjOo~XYXeJFqxt~TfesvDwLcb3v-kyTegymjwQtwYR4WUXcQuRlRDYuJnh7AvU~mKrH25tbrPIf9rKuKfVqOnQ5AW04oCNhMr9IhfQoIiwVpwglAqsWpspjmqpHy7hZiE~RIopF0xEXJmZq3SfVBQ3AF1wf0S1xKIY1aiNU5K0kA57mxvF2IuJMG6-4rY1vDRseBvuf6GwSpdeFR8zbHsCU4ElaML1J8LSkNORI0VGW2L4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The St. Mary’s County Board of Appeals on March 13 unanimously approved a variance for 446893 Coves Road in Hollywood to allow replacement work and to address unpermitted lot coverage that county staff said resulted from prior, unpermitted improvements.

The owners, Michelle and Michael Ring, requested a variance (VAAP 24‑1624) to replace a gravel patio, walkways and decks and to reconstruct steps and other waterfront access where prior unpermitted features existed. Staff reported the property is 1.09 acres in the Rural Preservation District (limited‑development critical area) and that the county determined unpermitted work had occurred under a previous owner. The Critical Area Commission directed that mitigation and any civil penalties be addressed.

Staff and the applicant said the site was required to provide mitigation at an established ratio for prior violations plus the variance ratio. Land use staff described a total mitigation requirement in staff materials of 13,234 square feet of plantings; during the hearing the project team used a figure of about 13,020 square feet. The record therefore contains two mitigation totals; the board relied on the mitigation and planting agreement in the record and on evidence that the applicants had posted a bond and recorded a planting agreement before the hearing.

Why it matters: staff said the applicants paid a bond to cover the assessed violation, executed a recorded planting agreement and proposed plantings to reduce overall lot coverage and stabilize the waterfront; the board framed the decision as allowing a replacement in kind while ensuring mitigation for prior unpermitted work.

Contractor Andrew Moore of McHale Landscape Design and homeowner Michelle Ring told the board the Rings had voluntarily planted native and ornamental species in fall 2022 to stabilize a hillside (species listed in the hearing record include ligularia, hydrangea, astilbe, carex, sea oats and black‑eyed Susan). Moore said the applicants will remove roughly 1,462 square feet of unpermitted features and, with required removals and plantings, would bring the parcel into compliance with the county’s 15 percent lot‑coverage rule; he said the post‑work lot coverage would be about 7,106 square feet, under the 7,122‑square‑foot maximum cited in the presentation.

Michelle Ring told the board, “we had no idea what was there existing,” and said she and her husband immediately engaged county staff to correct the permit record once they learned that prior owners had installed the unpermitted work. The Rings submitted a bond of $14,460 and a recorded planting agreement before the hearing, staff said.

Board members discussed the equitable issue of current owners bearing responsibility for prior owners’ work; the county attorney explained that the critical‑area enforcement system generally holds the current property owner responsible for compliance while noting the county’s enforcement practices and discretion in individual cases.

The board voted 5–0 to approve the variance. Staff will prepare an order for signature within 60 days; the order’s signature triggers a 30‑day appeal period.","The Board of Appeals approved a variance to allow replacement in kind of unpermitted walkways and a patio at 446893 Coves Road (Hollywood). The applicants paid a bond, executed a planting agreement and are required to complete mitigation; the board vote was unanimous.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board of Appeals approves variance for Tall Timbers house to add guest quarters despite exceeding lot-coverage limit

Board allows one additional house on Montana Way private lane after hours of neighbor testimony; requires recorded road‑maintenance agreement

Board unanimously approves variance for Hollywood waterfront property after owners pay bond and record planting agreement