Board of Appeals approves variance for deck that will encroach on critical-area buffer at 20379 Bowles Road

The St. Mary’s County Board of Appeals voted unanimously July 9 to approve a variance permitting a 12-by-18-foot deck to be built inside the 100-foot critical-area buffer at 20379 Bowles Road in Coltons Pointe.

The applicant, who identified himself as Francis William Scholmauer III, told the board he bought the property a few years ago and seeks the deck to “make a nice safe area” for elderly visitors and to enjoy the water view. County staff told the board the legal ads and certified mailings were completed and that several reviewing agencies, including planning and zoning, the health department and stormwater management, had completed their reviews.

Staff recorded the lot-coverage limit for the property’s zoning as 2,727 square feet; with the proposed deck, total lot coverage would be about 2,625 square feet, which staff said remains below the limit. Staff also said mitigation would be required at a 3-to-1 ratio for permanent disturbance; the applicant indicated he would plant 648 square feet and must obtain a buffer-management plan and agreement from Land Use & Growth Management before a building permit is issued.

Board member Donald Larocco moved to approve VAAP26-0485, citing that the standards for granting a variance had been met; John Brown seconded. The board voted in favor on a unanimous voice vote. Chairman George Allen Hayden Sr. said staff will prepare a written order for the board to sign within 60 days; after the order is signed there is a 30-day window during which an aggrieved party may file an appeal in Circuit Court.

The board closed public testimony on the case and moved to the next agenda item.