Board allows two storage sheds on Island Creek peninsula, citing lot constraints

The Board of Appeals granted a variance Oct. 1 allowing two 12-by-16 storage sheds at 7825 Marshall Road in Saint Leonard, concluding the lot's peninsula configuration and historic house placement create a hardship that justifies limited buffer relief.

Co-owner Casey Torgerson and Jason Cornelius described the 1.8-acre peninsula property as mostly surrounded by Island Creek and said the house dates to the early 1800s; they argued remaining buildable area outside the 100-foot critical-area offset and the additional 10-foot buffer is limited and that the sheds are small and sited to avoid tree removal and steep slopes. "Our 1.8 acre lot is essentially a peninsula surrounded by Island Creek on three sides," Torgerson said. The board found the applicants had shown site-specific circumstances and that appropriate erosion controls and a mitigation plan would limit environmental impacts. The board approved the variance with the usual requirement that applicants obtain county permits and follow erosion and sediment-control requirements.