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Board approves setback variance to allow screened porch at Hampton Way in Owings
Summary
The board granted a variance to reduce a side setback from 30 feet to 8 feet for a 12x20 screened porch at 7875 Hampton Way, citing an existing nonconforming house location and neighbor support; staff exhibits and letters of support were entered into the record.
The Calvert County Board of Appeals granted a variance that will allow a homeowner at 7875 Hampton Way in Owings to add a 12‑by‑20 screened porch within the side setback.
Philip Parsons of KP Homescapes said the existing house was built out of position about 25 years ago and that the proposed porch is a modest, safety‑driven change to move a sliding glass door away from a shared driveway. Parsons told the board the porch will be flush with the end of the house and will not extend the side of the dwelling beyond existing footprint elements. Multiple neighbors provided letters of support and two emails were read into the record and accepted as exhibits.
Board members asked technical questions about footings, grading and stormwater; Parsons said the porch will use reinforced footings, stabilization mesh and positive fall away from the house. The board closed the record, found that peculiar and unusual practical difficulties exist because the home is legally nonconforming through no recent action by the applicant, and concluded the requested reduction—from 30 feet to 8 feet—is the minimum adjustment necessary to afford reasonable use.
The motion to grant the variance carried. The board directed staff to record the order and indicated county permits and inspections will be required before construction can proceed.
