The St. Mary's County Alcohol Beverage Board on Oct. 10 granted a 90-day conditional approval for Swandale Inn LLC to purchase a Class D beer, wine and liquor (BWL) license and approved an extension of premises covering a porch, guest-house counter and select grounds.

Applicants Gerald Meyerman, Victoria O'Hara and Miguel Gavilanis described Swandale Inn as a six-room upscale bed-and-breakfast on waterfront property. Meyerman told the board the business opened in June and that the inn’s clientele are typically older visitors; he said the owners live on the property and emphasized plans for limited, small weddings and events.

The board conditioned the license on receipt of a county health permit. The board noted B&Bs are not zoned as full taverns and that the Class D license is the appropriate category for a bed-and-breakfast that wishes to serve alcoholic beverages to guests. Meyerman said the property has roughly 2.7 acres including wetlands and approximately 800 feet of waterfront; he said most outdoor activity would be concentrated near the porch, pergola and a limited lawn area away from wetlands and the pier.

Member Leonard Cole made the motion to grant a 90-day conditional approval; member Dave Wullenborg seconded. The board voted in favor, and staff said the filing will be processed once the applicants provide a copy of the health permit.

During discussion, applicants described plans to restrict serving and to block off the pier for events. Board staff and members discussed limits on the number of special-event days for B&B operations; Meyerman referenced an existing county guidance that limits certain farm- or B&B-based events to 20 per year and said the local Economic Development Commission had discussed that rule. The board recorded no formal objections and reiterated that the conditional approval requires the health department clearance within 90 days.