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Board approves special-use permit for accessory structure; NRCS says easement allows equipment access
Summary
Accomack County BZA approved a special-use permit allowing an accessory structure without a primary residence for a 38.9-acre agricultural parcel, with seven staff conditions; the applicant and NRCS said the structure will support habitat restoration work.
The Accomack County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a special-use permit (SUSE0076 2026) to allow an accessory structure on a roughly 38.9-acre agricultural parcel that currently lacks a primary residence.
Cindy Jones, county code enforcement officer, described staff's findings and recommended approval with seven conditions including required permits, compliance with VDOT and health regulations, flood-plain compliance, adherence to the submitted plot plan, maintenance while the permit is active, county inspections until certificate of completion, and nullification of the permit if conditions are violated.
Applicant Daniel Lincoln told the board he bought the property to conserve and improve wildlife habitat and said that an on-site structure is needed mainly to store equipment used for restoration work. "I've been privileged enough to serve this country as an active duty Navy SEAL for now 15.5 years," Lincoln said as he described his family's connection to the property and intention to retire there and continue habitat projects with partners.
Jennifer Lee Templeton, district conservationist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), said the property has a wetland reserve easement held by NRCS and that a home site was intentionally excluded from the easement boundary. "This wetland reserve easement is actually doing the public a service by protecting it from flooding," Templeton told the board and said NRCS supports Lincoln’s restoration work on the parcel.
A board member moved to approve SUSE0076 2026 under Accomack County Code §106-5327 with the seven staff-recommended conditions; the motion was seconded and approved on a voice vote. Staff said it can provide GIS/aerial imagery and will inspect during permit implementation as required by the conditions.
