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Board approves Tippett variance for porch and areaway in critical-area buffer, reduces side setback to 5 feet
Summary
The board approved VAAP23-1003 on Jan. 23, 2025, allowing a 5-by-15-foot covered porch and a 4-by-13-foot areaway within the 100-foot critical-area buffer at 24644 Tippett Lane; the board added a condition that the scope of the variance accommodate ADA accessibility if later required.
On Jan. 23, 2025 the St. Mary's County Board of Appeals approved a variance (VAAP23-1003) for the Tippett property at 24644 Tippett Lane that allows construction of a 5-by-15-foot covered porch and a 4-by-13-foot areaway that will encroach into the 100-foot critical-area buffer and reduces the required 10-foot side-yard setback to 5 feet for the porch.
Applicant Tom Tippett told the board the parcel is a narrow, 6,098-square-foot lot that has been in his family for decades and that reconstruction of the existing cottage could not reasonably avoid buffer disturbance because of the septic location and other site constraints. He described the need for the areaway access to the crawl space and said the porch is sited roughly where a prior 6-by-20-foot bump-out had stood. "It would be functionally necessary because the door ... is several feet above the ground level," he said, explaining why the porch is needed for safe access.
The plan submitted with the application shows 381 square feet of mitigation plantings; staff also reported that the health department, soil conservation district and stormwater management reviews have approved the proposal. Board members raised the question of accessibility for elderly or disabled occupants; the board added a proviso that the scope of the approved variances accommodate ADA requirements should the owner choose to construct a compliant access.
A family member who addressed the board said the project has the support of adjacent relatives and neighbors. After discussion, the board voted to grant the variance with the added language regarding the variance scope and ADA accommodation. Staff will prepare the written order for signature; the order will be subject to a 30-day appeal period after signing.
Votes at a glance: VAAP23-1003 — Approved (unanimous).
