Board of Appeals approves three property variances and buffers 5–0; minutes approved

At its Feb. 26 meeting the St. Mary's County Board of Appeals approved three land‑use matters and signed the decisions as recorded.

Chair George Allen Hayden Sr. announced the Rees property request — to disturb the expanded critical‑area buffer for a proposed pool and patio — was approved "5 to 0." The board moved to sign the decision and recorded the approval. The board similarly approved the Clamour Gagnon request to disturb the 100‑foot critical‑area buffer to expand for a house and driveway, also noted as a 5–0 approval. Finally, the board approved a variance for the Blackberry property to reduce the front setback from 25 feet to 3 feet, again recorded as 5–0. In each case a motion to approve and a second were recorded on the transcript, followed by the chair calling for the vote.

Earlier in the meeting the board approved the minutes from its Feb. 12 meeting after a motion and second, with the chair calling for 'Aye' votes to adopt the minutes. The board adjourned after a motion to adjourn was moved and seconded.

The board announced its next meeting will be March 12, listing three cases on that agenda: a setback variance, a VAAP to add an additional user on a private right‑of‑way, and a variance for Dennis Point Marina to impact the critical‑area buffer.