The Worcester County Board of Zoning Appeals approved variances Oct. 9 to allow a replacement residence and multiple porches and decks at 38 Teal Circle in Ocean Pines.

The applicant’s representative said the lot totals approximately 5,500 square feet in the R-3 district, which has dimensional standards that predate many Ocean Pines lots. The proposed new home required rear-yard relief for a third-floor open deck and for first- through third-floor porches because the lot’s small buildable area — and proximity to bulkhead and canal lines — limited placement of a larger permanent residence.

During questioning, board members and staff discussed alternative floor plans and how many plan iterations were attempted before applying for relief. The applicant said they had worked through several design revisions and consulted county agencies; the proposed structure would keep a 15-foot critical-area bulkhead buffer and the improvements would be about 21 feet from that buffer.

Neighbors and the board discussed future accessory features such as a pool; the applicant said accessory work would be handled via separate permits if pursued. The motion to approve the variances carried with a recorded vote of five in favor and one opposed. The approval allows the applicants to proceed to the building-permit and site-review stages, subject to environmental and permitting conditions.