Baltimore County Board of Appeals denies respondents' motion to dismiss in Laurindale Club floodplain permit dispute

The Baltimore County Board of Appeals on Dec. 19, 2024, denied respondents’ motion to dismiss a petition challenging a Permits, Approvals and Inspections (PAI) determination that a floodplain waiver or variance was not required for proposed fencing at the Laurindale Club of Ruxton, 7611 Laurindale Club Road (ZIP 21204), case CBA 2052. The panel convened the deliberation by WebEx at 9:32 a.m.

Panel members debated whether the petitioners had legal standing and whether the petition was filed within the 30-day deadline from the permit issuance. Respondents argued the petitioners lacked standing under Baltimore County Code provisions that limit appeals of building permits to the permit applicant and that a later “clarification” filed by petitioners was untimely. Petitioners’ counsel, Mr. McCann, said the appeal was of a PAI determination related to the permit rather than an appeal of the building permit itself.

Why it matters: denying the motion keeps the petition alive so the board can hear the merits of whether PAI properly declined to require a floodplain waiver or variance for the proposed fencing. That decision could affect the property owner’s obligations and whether neighbors or other parties may challenge similar permit-related determinations.

Board members outlined the key…