Applicant withdraws Woodlawn conditional-approval extension request over structural issues

Jane Margaret O'Brien told the St. Mary's County Alcohol Beverage Board on Oct. 9 that she was withdrawing a request for a nine-day extension of conditional approval for the Woodlawn project because unresolved structural issues mean the facility will not be finished this fall.

"We have not resolved these yet," O'Brien said of structural challenges at the site, which she described as involving an "old tobacco barn" that is "far short of being able to allow us to finish this project this fall." She told the board the health department and the fire marshal have indicated the planned use "is very possible" from a permitting standpoint but that the structural problems would "compromise the facility long term" if not addressed.

O'Brien said she and her project partners had previously been granted a two-month extension in August but do not expect to be ready within another two months. She told the board she planned to return with an updated application when the work is closer to completion, likely in February or March.

Board members accepted the withdrawal and advised O'Brien to resubmit when the project is nearer to completion. No formal vote was required after the applicant withdrew the extension request.

The transcript shows the withdrawal occurred during the "old business" portion of the agenda; the applicant spoke while under oath and provided a mailing address for the record. No additional conditions or deadlines were set at the meeting.