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Caroline County BZA approves variance for Greers to use existing barn as commercial stable
Summary
The Caroline County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance allowing Olivia and David Greer to operate a commercial stable in an existing 48-by-36 barn that does not meet the 200-foot commercial-stable setback. Approval included standard staff conditions and hours of operation limited to Monday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
The Caroline County Board of Zoning Appeals on April 15 approved a variance allowing Olivia C. and David A. Greer to use an existing 48-by-36 barn at 25840 Gary Road in Denton as a commercial stable despite the structure being closer than the zoning-required 200-foot setback.
The board voted to approve the Greers’ application with the conditions listed in the staff report and an hours-of-operation restriction of Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Board members asked that standard site-plan items be completed before final site-plan approval by county staff.
Applicant David Greer described the barn and paddocks as existing features the couple bought with the property in December and said they planned to host a single trainer and a small number of horses. “We bought the property in December, and I had the stable there, and it looked awesome. I love horses,” Greer said, adding that a trainer would provide full care and lessons. County staff noted the barn was permitted for residential use by a prior owner in February 2006 and that the commercial stable use requires a variance to proceed with site-plan review.
During the hearing staff described the outstanding site-plan exhibits submitted with the application, including aerials, a site plan and the variance application. The board reviewed the variance criteria — hardship arising from special circumstances, that the hardship not be self-created, and that the variance be the minimum necessary — and concluded the barn’s pre-existence and construction made relocation impractical. The board found no testimony demonstrating a detrimental effect to neighbors; one nearby resident testified they did not oppose the application.
Motion and vote details: the board moved and seconded approval of application 25-0007 with staff recommendations and the hours limitation; the motion carried and the application was approved as presented.
Next steps: The applicants must finalize the site-plan materials and comply with the staff report requirements before county planning staff issues final site-plan approval.
For reference: the property is described as Tax Map 23, Grid 24, Parcel 186.
