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Sykesville Board of Zoning Appeals denies variances in case 2025-03
Summary
At a Feb. 11, 2026 hearing, the Sykesville Board of Zoning Appeals voted to deny requested variances in case 2025-03 after considering testimony, counsel advice in closed session, and two recent letters from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and the Maryland Building Industry Association.
The Sykesville Board of Zoning Appeals voted Feb. 11, 2026, to deny requested variances in case number 2025‑03, saying the application did not meet the town code standards for a variance and that granting it would harm public health, safety and general welfare.
"I am making a motion to, deny the requested variances," the Chair said, explaining the board had reviewed the application against the applicable sections of the Sykesville town code, the Maryland Land Use Article and relevant Maryland case law, and had discussed the matter with counsel in closed session. The board also entered two recent letters into the record: one from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and one from the Maryland Building Industry Association.
In outlining the denial, the Chair said the requested relief involved land‑use percentage provisions in the town code and read specific code sections into the record, stating the application did not demonstrate that the variances would result from conditions unique to the property or that denial would cause undue hardship. "The granting of the requested variances would result in substantial injury to public health, safety and general welfare," the Chair said.
The motion was seconded on the record (the seconder was not identified in the public transcript) and the Chair declared the motion carried and the application denied. The Chair said the board will prepare and file a more detailed written opinion explaining the decision.
A Committee member asked how the 30‑day appeal period would be measured. The board agreed the appeal period will run from the date the written decision is submitted and filed with the board. Staff said they would attempt to issue the written decision within about two to three weeks.
The hearing adjourned after the vote.
What’s next: the board will issue a written decision that establishes the official decision date and the start of the appeal clock; the written opinion was described as forthcoming within a roughly two‑to‑three‑week timeframe.
