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Board approves critical‑area variance to remove decayed oyster house and build accessible garage in Saint Leonard
Summary
The board granted the Cookseys’ request to demolish a deteriorated oyster house in the critical area and to construct a 26x36 garage with apron, finding the project would reduce net impervious surface and that mitigation and stabilization will return the shoreline area to a vegetated state.
The Calvert County Board of Appeals unanimously approved a general and critical‑area variance for Thomas Jr. and Pamela Cooksey to remove a decaying 1,932‑square‑foot oyster house and construct a 26x36‑foot garage with a 15x38‑foot concrete apron at 5420 Williams Wharf Road in Saint Leonard. Applicant representative David Gilbert (speaker 6) said the property is effectively a peninsula with most of the lot in the buffer and that demolition plus the new garage and apron would result in a net reduction in impervious surface once the old structure is removed and the shoreline is restored.
Gilbert also said the project is needed for accessibility: Mr. Cooksey has a broken neck and back and requires easier vehicle access adjacent to the house; the apron and garage would improve access for mobility and safe entry. Critical area staff (Ron Marney, speaker 19) told the board the area where the oyster house sits will be returned to a vegetated, natural state and that the overall plan proposes mitigation measures and a net reduction of impervious area. The board found special circumstances due to the lot’s shape and existing structures, concluded the variance would not harm water quality given mitigation commitments, and granted both the demolition and critical‑area variance without additional conditions.
Staff noted that any shore‑erosion control work (if needed) would require separate Maryland Department of the Environment approvals outside the board’s variance process. The board recorded findings and will issue the written order within 45 days.
