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Bel Air Board of Appeals grants 12‑month extension for 32‑bed assisted living at 908–910 S. Main St.
Summary
The Town of Bel Air Board of Appeals approved a 12‑month extension of a special exception for a 32‑bed assisted‑living facility at 908–910 South Main Street, setting a new expiration of April 20, 2026, and requiring substantial construction progress by that date.
The Town of Bel Air Board of Appeals on Monday approved a 12‑month extension of a special exception for a 32‑bed assisted‑living facility planned at 908–910 South Main Street, moving the approvalexpiration to April 20, 2026.
Board staff member Kevin said the original special‑exception approval had expired April 20, 2025, and apologized for the delay in bringing the extension to the board. "It should never have gone 5 months after that expiration, so that's my fault," Kevin said, explaining that staff had delayed scheduling the item while waiting to bundle cases.
The extension was requested by the project applicant. Applicant representative Tom Miner said the team had been working through required coordination with State Highway and a nearby school for the site entrance and with Maryland American Water to tap a water main across the street. "We are now tapping it across the street," Miner said. "The plans are approved. We're submitting all those mylar signatures, bonds, that type of stuff." The board voted to approve the one‑year extension with the understanding that substantial progress on construction must be evident by the new April deadline.
Nut graf: The extension preserves the project's zoning use while the applicant completes outstanding utility coordination and final permitting; the board said the developer must demonstrate substantial construction (for example, foundations or structures started) by April 20, 2026, or the approval will lapse with no additional extension available.
Board discussion and applicant explanations Board members and the applicant discussed what constitutes "substantial construction." A board member clarified that demolition alone does not satisfy the threshold; foundations or structure work must be in place. Kevin said the town enforces permit activity so that a six‑month lapse in construction could jeopardize a building permit. Resident John Watts, who identified his address during questioning, asked whether there was a fixed completion deadline; Kevin responded that building permits have their own expiration and that the director of public works enforces timelines tied to consistent construction.
The board record shows the original special exception was approved April 20, 2023, for two buildings totaling 32 beds (16 beds per building). The extension moves the approval period forward one year from the prior expiration and does not alter conditions of the original approval.
Next steps The applicant said final plan sets and permit documents were circulating for signature and that state licensure and final inspections will follow construction. The board did not require additional approvals beyond the existing zoning special exception and standard building‑permit and licensing processes. The motion to grant the 12‑month extension carried; the board stated no further extension would be available after April 20, 2026.
Ending: The applicant and staff said they expect to complete permit signoffs and begin construction activity in coming months; the board will consider any future appeals or enforcement matters according to standard procedures.
