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By Adam Bednar
ST. MARY’S TODAY

 

LEONARDTOWN ---- At their last meeting, the St. Mary’s County board of appeals denied the appeal of Roger Staiger to limit his neighbors from building a porch and adding another level to their home.

Steven Leopold, 14265 Riverside Drive, in Scotland, was given permission to improve his property by Denis Canavan, director of Land Use and Management, six months earlier. However, Staiger held up the construction by making appeals that the 360 degree porch the Leopolds’ proposed building needed a variance granted.  The Leopolds wish to add the extra space upstairs for a baby room and the addition is allowable in the critical area as it does not add to the home’s footprint.

The board accepted the Leopolds’ argument that his new porch would not cause Staiger any harm. Board member Greg Callaway made the motion to deny to Staiger’s appeal

“I just decided enough is enough. These people have been held up long enough,” Callaway said.   Board member Mike Hewitt argued forcefully to grant the approval for the young couple’s expansion of their home.

Staiger argued the porch would infringe upon his property rights. Stager, who is hearing impaired, previously had the meeting delayed because hearing aides where not available at the meeting.

Staiger then claimed the Leopolds’ air conditioning unit was too loud and should be moved to the other side of their house away from his property. Staiger must have forgotten he was deaf and no one on the board found his argument had merit but it was heard.

Canavan pointed out that there was no reason to order the air conditioner to be moved and that it was an allowable use of a sideyard.

Again the board declined to enforce Staiger’s wishes and voted unanimously to uphold Canavan’s decision.