Opinion ID: 1268089
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Cowardin Case

Text: Cowardin sought a conditional use permit to build a boathouse on his property on Senior Creek, a tributary to the Western Branch of the Corrotoman River. At the same time, Cowardin applied for and was granted a building permit to construct a dwelling on his property. Cowardin's land is zoned Agriculture, General, District, A-2. On November 24, 1987, following a public hearing, the Board denied Cowardin's application for the conditional use permit because (1) neighbors objected, (2) the primary structure was not completed, and (3) questions remained unresolved regarding oyster bed leaseholds. In the trial court, Cowardin testified that his dwelling was under construction at the time of the Board's hearing and was completed six months later. He also testified that there was no evidence of any oyster beds on the site and that two boathouses were within view of his property. B