Silver Spring Zoning Hearing Board approves six variances, including 4,800 sq ft maintenance garage; stormwater concerns raised

The Silver Spring Township Zoning Hearing Board on May 12 approved six variance applications, including a roughly 4,800-square-foot maintenance garage for the Township Authority and several accessory-structure and impervious-coverage variances across residential and conservation districts.

The approvals came after presentations by applicants or their representatives, brief public comment on some items, and executive-session quasi-judicial deliberations. Board members voted to approve each variance, and three applications were approved with conditions. Two recusals were recorded during the meeting: Board Member Darrell McMillan recused from the Township Authority application; Chairman Donald Franklin recused from consideration of his own fence application.

The most substantial application came from the Silver Spring Township Authority, which sought relief from Section 304.22 to build an approximately 4,800-square-foot, 20-foot-high maintenance garage at 60 Millfording Road in the Quarry district. William Rudy, engineer for Pennoni Associates, and Authority member Jim Stevens described the need for larger storage to house growing and larger equipment. No public comment was received on that application, which the board approved following executive-session deliberations (motion by Board Member James Hall; second by Board Member Ryan Siney).

Earlier in the agenda, applicants Meg and Mark Welliver requested a variance to add a 527-square-foot porch roof over an existing 408-square-foot patio at 5 Sheridan Court in the R-1 district; they presented through attorney Thomas French and contractor Stephen Martin. The board approved the variance unanimously after hearing that abutting property owners and the Danbury Glen Homeowners Association submitted letters of no objection (motion by Board Member Ryan Siney; second by Board Member James Hall).

At 88 Millers Gap Road, applicants Raymond and Christine Zomok requested relief under Section 202.C to construct a detached front-yard garage that would exceed the ordinance's maximum height. Neighbors Margaret and Scott Evans testified to concerns about stormwater runoff and the garage's aesthetic impact; Mr. Zomok told the board he understood those concerns and would address any stormwater-management requirements with the township if the application were approved. The board approved the variances with conditions (motion by Chairman Donald Franklin; second by Vice-Chair Richard Maffett).

John Lumadue sought relief under Section 200.C to add an attached garage at 148 Millers Gap Road that would affect impervious-coverage limits in the Conservation district. The application noted that in areas where more than half the site exceeds a 15% slope, impervious coverage is limited to 7% rather than the usual 10%. The Evanses again raised stormwater concerns; the board approved the variance with conditions (motion by Chairman Donald Franklin; second by Board Member Darrell McMillan).

At 12 Blue Marlin Way, Fox Built, Inc. sought relief under Section 232.F of the Glendale Estates plan for a proposed pool, patio and detached pool building. Owner Jeffrey Gettle and representative Paul Fox answered board questions about whether existing impervious coverage could be reduced and whether stormwater and septic issues had been addressed. The board approved the variance (motion by Board Member Ryan Siney; second by Vice-Chair Richard Maffett).

Finally, applicants Donald and Harriet Franklin sought a variance from Section 301.1 to construct a fence that includes a five-foot portion in the front yard at 2 Madder Drive. Chairman Franklin recused from deliberations and presentation of his own application; Vice-Chair Richard Maffett chaired that portion. The board approved the variance (motion by Board Member Ryan Siney; second by Board Member James Hall).

The minutes record that legal notices were published or posted as required for each application. The board adjourned at 8:35 P.M.

What happens next: the minutes do not specify the precise conditions attached to the approvals; recorded conditions are described in the minutes only as "with conditions" for specific items. Applicants or the township must follow up with staff on any stormwater-management or permitting requirements indicated during testimony.