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Board grants variances to Whiteman family to build home in Prince Frederick after topography and septic constraints
Summary
Represented by Jeff Toole, the Whitemans received front‑ and side‑setback variances to place a 2,600‑square‑foot house on a lot constrained by steep slopes and sewage disposal requirements; the board found the recorded building restriction lines left no reasonable buildable area without relief.
The Calvert County Board of Appeals unanimously approved two variances for Matthew and Samantha Whiteman to reduce a recorded 60‑foot front setback to 29 feet and a 30‑foot side setback to 12 feet at a Prince Frederick lot (4330 Victor Street). The applicants’ representative, Jeffrey Toole of COA Barrett LLC (speaker 16), explained the lot history and why topography and constrained sewage‑disposal area limit buildable locations.
Toole told the board the original lots were reconfigured by court order in the 1990s and later replatted, and that existing recorded building restriction lines (BRLs) tied to those plats leave far less usable buildable area today; staff and the Maryland Department of Environment approved a narrowly reduced sewage‑disposal area for the lot. He said roughly 40% of the lot is steep slope and the only reasonably level area sits between the sewage disposal area and the road. The board found that practical difficulties exist, that granting the variances would not injure the public interest, and that the relief requested is the minimum adjustment necessary. The board closed the record and voted unanimously to grant the variances.
The applicants and several family members described personal hardship and the family’s need for a larger home; a neighbor and contractor testified in support. Staff will draft the order reflecting the board’s findings; the applicants may proceed with permits consistent with county and state environmental approvals.
