Calvert County Board of Appeals Public Hearing – November 6, 2025

The Calvert County Board of Appeals met on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the County Commissioners' Hearing Room, 175 Main Street, Prince Frederick, MD. The board heard four variance cases, discussed administrative updates, and then entered executive session. All four variance requests were granted unanimously.

Cases Heard (Discussion Items)

Case 25-4231: Wayne and Anna Staley – Critical Area Variance for Deck Replacement

• The applicants requested a Critical Area variance to disturb the buffer to remove a small deck and replace it with a 16’ x 16’ two-level addition at 12809 Lake View Drive, Lusby (Drum Point subdivision). The property is zoned RD/CA/LDA.
• The applicants stated they are replacing a larger deck (16’ x 22’) with a smaller footprint (16’ x 16’) to extend their living space for a growing family with two grandchildren, and to improve views of the lake. They noted no trees would be removed and silt fencing would be installed. Two letters of support were received from neighbors.
• Staff (Ron Marney, Environmental Planning Regulator) noted no mitigation required and no objection, as the project does not get closer to the water and will have a net benefit with plantings.
• The board found unwarranted hardship because the lot lies entirely within the Critical Area buffer, and the variance is the minimum adjustment. The motion to grant the variance passed unanimously.

Case 25-4230: Jeff Tewell (COA Barrett, LLC) for Douglas and Rachelle Lambourne – General and Critical Area Variances for New Dwelling

• The applicants requested a general variance to reduce the steep slopes setback from 10’ to 0’ and a Critical Area variance to disturb the buffer/steep slopes to construct a two-story single-family dwelling with garage, porches, and screened porch at 4750 Angelica Drive, Huntingtown (Angelica subdivision). The property is zoned RCD/CA/RCA.
• The applicant’s representative (Jeff Tewell) explained that the lot was created in 1985 and is encumbered by steep slopes and a 100-foot bayfront setback. Access requires a shared driveway through a neighboring property. The house is designed to minimize disturbance, with only a small corner encroaching into the steep slope setback. Stormwater management and sediment control plans have been approved. Mitigation will result in more trees on the property than currently exist.
• The property owners (Douglas and Rochelle Lambourne) spoke about their family history on the farm (since 1860s) and their desire to build near family. Two letters of support from neighbors were submitted.
• Staff did not oppose the application, noting minimal impacts to the expanded buffer and a net benefit from plantings.
• The board found unwarranted hardship due to the site’s topography and the lot’s pre-critical area status. The motion to grant both variances passed unanimously.

Case 25-4232: Jeff Tewell (COA Barrett, LLC) for Mark and Julie Rokala – After-the-Fact General Variance for Rear Setback

• The applicants requested an after-the-fact general variance to reduce the rear setback from 20’ to 18.9’ (15 inches) for reconstruction of a 21’5” x 30’4” two-story single-family dwelling on pillars at 10973 Chesapeake Drive, Lusby (Cove Point subdivision). The property is zoned RD/CA/LDA.
• The applicant’s representative explained that the contractor erroneously placed the house 15 inches beyond the required setback. Construction was halted as soon as the error was discovered. The house is under roof and has been stalled since July 2025. The affected neighbors (to the rear) provided letters of support. Mark Rokala testified that the error was the contractor’s fault.
• Board members expressed concern about repeated contractor errors and discussed the need for a policy requiring a wall check survey before foundation work. The board noted that this is the second such case from the same firm.
• The board found that the variance is the minimum adjustment necessary and that the hardship was not caused by the applicants. The motion to grant the variance (subject to completion of county permitting and inspection) passed unanimously.

Case 25-4233: Jeff Tewell (COA Barrett, LLC) for Camp Roosevelt on the Cliff, LLC – Two Critical Area Variances for Garage

• The applicants requested two Critical Area variances: to disturb the expanded buffer/steep slopes and to reduce the setback from 10’ to 0’ to construct a 35’ x 45’ garage with a finished second story at 4745 Camp Roosevelt Drive, Chesapeake Beach (Camp Roosevelt subdivision). The property is zoned RCD/CA/LDA-3.
• The property owner, Craig Philippe, explained that the existing house is a historic former mess hall (c. 1860s) and lacks a garage. Due to his daughter’s traumatic brain injury and wheelchair use, the family needs a garage for medical equipment storage, vehicle storage (six vehicles), a covered loading area, and a rehabilitation space with a ceiling track. The garage will also include a septic system approved by the Health Department. The historic district commission approved the work permit in 2022. Three letters of support were submitted.
• The applicant’s representative noted that the site constraints (steep slopes, building restriction lines) dictate the garage location. Mitigation will be required, and hazardous trees have been approved for removal.
• Staff (Ron Marney) confirmed that mitigation calculations are included in the referral. The historic preservation planner (Christopher Sperling) confirmed the work permit approval.
• The board found that the hardship is based on the family’s needs and site constraints, and that the variance is the minimum necessary. The motion to grant the variances passed unanimously.

Administrative Session

• The board discussed updates to the Rules of Procedure, including proposed changes to reconsideration deadlines (from 15 to 30 days), requirements for public written correspondence (physical address vs. email), and whether to require occupation of testifiers. The board deferred the final review to the December meeting. Staff will re-send the redline copy and additional notes to board members and alternates.
• No updates were provided on previously appealed cases.

Public Comment

• No members of the public offered comments during the public comment period.

Key Outcomes

• Case 25-4231 (Staley): Critical Area variance granted unanimously.
• Case 25-4230 (Lambourne): General variance and Critical Area variance granted unanimously.
• Case 25-4232 (Rokala): After-the-fact general variance granted unanimously, subject to completion of county permitting and inspection.
• Case 25-4233 (Camp Roosevelt): Two Critical Area variances granted unanimously.
• Rules of Procedure: Discussion deferred to December 2025 meeting.
• The board entered executive session to consult with counsel after adjourning the open session.