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Board approves home addition that will intrude into expanded non-tidal wetland buffer at Beechville Road property
Summary
The Saint Mary''s County Board of Appeals on May 8 approved a variance allowing a 26-by-28-foot home addition and two decks at 48236 Beechville Road that will intrude into the county's expanded non-tidal wetland buffer.
The Saint Mary''s County Board of Appeals on May 8 approved a variance allowing a home addition and decks at a Beechville Road property that will intrude into the county's expanded non-tidal wetland buffer.
Robert Stevenson, the property owner, told the board the existing house (built in 1916 and roughly 875 square feet) sits inside the expanded buffer and that the proposed 26-by-28-foot addition and two decks would extend into that expanded buffer. "The house is currently in that buffer area of the hundred feet," Stevenson said, noting the addition is intended to make an older, small house suitable for continued occupancy.
Land Use staff explained that the standard 25-foot non-tidal wetland buffer is expanded to 100 feet where hydric soils are present, and that the proposal would affect portions of that expanded zone. Staff confirmed the project is exempt from stormwater regulations (disturbance under 5,000 square feet) and that the Health Department and zoning approvals are in place for the site plan. The applicant did not present written objections from neighbors, and no public commenters appeared in opposition.
Board members discussed the scale of the addition relative to the existing small house and noted the work would occur on stable ground where a driveway currently approaches the structure. The board approved the variance (VAAP 25-0169), directing staff to prepare the written order; the order will be signed within 60 days and may be appealed within 30 days.
Why it matters: The decision allows a modest expansion of a nearly century-old dwelling in an area where wetland buffers were expanded to protect hydric soils and water quality. Approval was conditional on standard permitting and mitigation steps intended to limit environmental impacts.
Next steps: Staff will prepare the written order and enforce standard permit conditions, including any required erosion and sediment-control measures and mitigation plantings before or as part of permitting.
