Carroll County Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing – March 24, 2026

The Carroll County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) held a public hearing on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in the Reagan Room of the Carroll County Office Building to consider Case #6605. The case involved a request by Chris Vedrani for a conditional use and multiple variances to operate a contractor's equipment storage yard on an approximately 18-acre property zoned Agricultural at 1430 Buckhorn Road, Sykesville, Maryland. The board also conducted a site visit on March 18, 2026. After hearing testimony and reviewing evidence, the board unanimously approved the request with conditions on operating hours.

Agenda Overview

• Case #6604 (9:00 a.m.) – Commercial kennel for more than 10 dogs at 4738 Geeting Road, Westminster. No discussion of this item appears in the transcript; only Case #6605 was heard as time allowed.
• Case #6605 (9:30 a.m.) – Contractor’s equipment storage yard by Chris Vedrani. This case was the sole focus of the recorded proceedings.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Multiple letters of support from neighboring residents were read into the record by staff. Supporters included individuals such as Laurie and David Schleischer, George Lowe, Denise and Richard Love, Richard Erb, Jennings B. and Margaret Gaither, Diane Baer, and others. All expressed that the applicant is a good neighbor and community asset, and did not oppose the application.
• No members of the public testified in opposition during the hearing.

Discussion Items

• Applicant’s Presentation (Kelly Schaefer Miller, attorney for applicant): The applicant, Chris Vedrani, owner of a landscape contracting business, sought conditional use approval and variances for area (increase to 2 acres), setbacks (front from 40 ft to 21 ft; side from 30 ft to 24 ft), and multiple distance variances (updated from 2019 due to code changes from a 400-ft to 600/900-ft requirements). The property had prior BZA approvals in 2007 (Case #537) and 2019 (Case #6167 and #6167R) for a similar use. The 2019 approval expired because the applicant failed to complete the required site plan process (stormwater management costs cited as a barrier). The applicant is now seeking substantially the same approval with the intention of fulfilling site plan requirements.

• Testimony of Chris Vedrani: Described the business: residential landscape contractor with two divisions (construction and maintenance), serving Carroll County, Montgomery County, and Washington, D.C. The business currently has 50–60 employees, operates Monday through Friday with crews arriving at 6 a.m. and departing by 6:15 a.m., office staff 8–8:30 a.m., crews returning from 3–4 p.m. to unload and load for next day. No retail activity; deliveries (plants, mulch) occur mostly mornings. Snow removal may require occasional evening/weekend work. Equipment stored includes pickup trucks, a CDL truck, box trailers, and one skid loader. The site has lighting on timers. The applicant stated no expansion plans beyond current size. Neighbors were notified and supportive.

• Testimony of John Lemmerman (surveying and site design expert): Certified expert in surveying and site design. The property is 17.99 acres, zoned Agricultural, with a unique “hockey stick” shape that, combined with topography and wetlands, makes it impossible to locate a contractor yard anywhere on the property without variances, even at 1 acre. The existing use is well-screened by mature landscaping. He stated the use meets the conditional use standard (Schultz v. Pritz) and that the variances are justified due to practical difficulty/hardship, referencing prior board findings. The yard is less intense than other permitted uses in the zoning district.

• Board Deliberation: Board members (Richard, Zens, and others) commented on the positive site visit, the applicant’s good track record, lack of opposition, and the unique lot shape. They noted the property has been in use for nearly 19 years. A key discussion occurred regarding operating hours: the 2019 reconsideration (Case #6167R) had set hours from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with allowance for snow removal. Board members agreed to reimpose those hours as a condition of approval to protect adjacent neighbors. The motion was made and seconded including the hours condition.

Key Outcomes

• Motion and Vote: The board voted unanimously (all ayes) to approve Case #6605 for a conditional use for a contractor’s equipment storage yard with an increased lot area (2 acres) and multiple distance variances, subject to operating hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, with recognition of snow removal exigencies requiring additional hours.
• Next Steps: The oral decision will become final upon a written decision to be issued within 30 days. The decision may be appealed within 30 days of the written decision. The applicant must complete the site plan process with the county before the approval becomes effective, addressing all technical requirements (including stormwater management, lighting, signage, and landscaping).