Board hears special-exception request to build accessory structure at Church Creek property

The Dorchester County hearing opened case 2802, a request for a special exception to construct a 1,440-square-foot accessory structure before a primary structure at a parcel identified in the record as 1930 (text unclear) in Church Creek. Planning staff recommended approval and said the planning commission forwarded a favorable recommendation. The transcript does not record a formal motion or recorded vote by the board.

A planning staff member summarized the application and said the parcel formerly had a dilapidated dwelling. Steven Whitten, who identified himself as the applicant's agent and a professional land surveyor, described site constraints including delineated non-tidal wetlands and septic-system limitations. Whitten said the applicant purchased the parcel for hunting and would use the accessory structure to store hunting equipment and provide shelter while visiting; he said the owner lives about an hour away and is retired.

The staff report said the parcel is in an Agricultural Conservation (AC) zoning classification and that no critical area was implicated for this application; staff recommended approval and noted the planning commission's favorable recommendation. During deliberation the board recited findings that the proposed use would be consistent with the county's comprehensive plan, would be in harmony with neighborhood character, would not cause objectionable noise or other nuisances, and would not overburden public services.

The transcript includes the board's affirmative verbal findings on those criteria but does not include a recorded motion, the name of a mover/second, or a roll-call tally for approval. After those findings the record moves toward adjournment; no explicit final action on the special-exception application is recorded in the provided transcript.