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Board approves Long property variance to disturb expanded wetland buffer for replacement home in Piney Point
Summary
The Board of Appeals approved a variance allowing disturbance of an expanded 100-foot non-tidal wetland buffer to demolish an existing house and build a new elevated house with parking under the living area on Piney Point Road. Agencies including MDE and stormwater management approved the plan; the board found variance standards met.
The Saint Mary’s County Board of Appeals on April 14 approved a variance permitting disturbance of an expanded wetland buffer to allow demolition of an existing dwelling and construction of a new elevated single-family house at 16712 Piney Point Road in Piney Point.
Staff described the property as a 64,469-square-foot parcel with extensive on-site non-tidal wetlands that, because of hydric soils, expand the standard 25-foot wetland buffer to 100 feet across much of the lot. Stacy Clements said MDE classified the on-site wetlands as non-tidal and that the Maryland Department of the Environment, stormwater management, and the county’s planning materials had reviewed and approved the site plan; pending sign-offs included Soil Conservation District and Metcom.
Steve Vaughn, agent for owner Maurice Long and presenting for Little Silence’s Rest (LSR), said the proposal would remove the existing house and garage and replace them with a smaller, elevated house with parking under the living area. Vaughn said the existing lot coverage was 8,181 square feet; the project would remove about 5,10 square feet (as recorded in the application materials) and place new coverage at 4,918 square feet — a net reduction of 192 square feet.
Vaughn described the proposed design as meeting flood-elevation requirements, with living areas raised (he said the current site elevation is about elevation 3 and living areas will be at about elevation 12) and the parking/carport on the water side beneath the raised living space. He explained the circular driveway would be reduced, access improved to the new carport, and that the plan included stormwater-management disconnects and use of the existing grinder pump on site.
Board members questioned elevation, driveway orientation and the proposed dewatering basin and were told soils testing and engineering will be required; Vaughn said foundation engineering and soil tests will confirm appropriate bearing and compaction for the new home.
After closing public testimony (no callers or speakers), the board voted to approve the variance request from section 71.5.2 of the comprehensive zoning ordinance to disturb the expanded non-tidal wetland buffer and construct the dwelling. Staff will prepare an order documenting the board’s decision to be signed within 60 days; a 30-day appeal period follows once the order is signed.
