Board of Appeals approves variance to raise flooded Lexington Park house; 1:1 mitigation required

The St. Mary’s County Board of Appeals on April 8 unanimously approved a variance to section 71.8.3 allowing owners John and Julie Bridal to temporarily disturb the 100‑foot critical area buffer in order to raise an existing house at 23480 River Hill Court in Lexington Park to meet current flood protection elevation standards.

The variance matters because it allows the homeowners to reduce flood risk by elevating a pre‑FEMA house while requiring mitigation so the county’s critical‑area protections are maintained. Staff recommended approval with mitigation and said the Critical Area Commission did not object.

Stacy Clements, Land Use and Growth Management Planner, told the board the property is in the Limited Development Area (LDA) overlay, contains hydric and highly erodible soils and that the applicant’s revised plan showed a temporary limit of disturbance with a silt fence around the downhill side. Clements said the department and the Health Department had approved the site plan and that the Critical Area Commission offered comments on the submission but did not object to the variance. She explained the mitigation requirement: the county will require a 1:1 mitigation for the quantity of temporary disturbance within the expanded buffer and that a mitigation plan must be approved by department staff before the building permit is issued.

John Bridal, the property owner, described recurring flooding at the house and told the board he wants to raise the structure so it will not be in the flood zone. “I want regular insurance. So if something does happen, my house gets paid for,” Bridal said, adding the work is limited to elevating the home — not expanding it. He also told the board his contractor is Experienced House Movers and that much of the disturbance will be sand and a small amount of grass.

Board members questioned how mitigation would apply to small plantings and disturbed flower beds. Harry Knight, Land Use and Growth Management Deputy Director, clarified that mitigation is required for the temporary disturbance in the expanded buffer under state regulations (COMAR) and not for removal and reinstallation of small ornamental plantings; the department will work with the applicant to verify the maximum quantity of temporary disturbance and adjust mitigation accordingly.

After discussion the board voted to approve the variance. The board directed staff to prepare an order reflecting the decision; staff will circulate the signed order to the applicants. The order will be signed within 60 days, and a 30‑day appeal period follows the date the order is signed.

Ending: The board’s approval allows the Bridas to proceed with plans to raise the house subject to the mitigation and permit conditions noted by staff; the recording secretary will mail the signed order to the applicants when it is available.