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Caroline County Board of Zoning Appeals elects chair, adopts rules and meeting schedule
Summary
At its Oct. 16, 2025 organizational meeting, the Caroline County Board of Zoning Appeals elected David Rababi chair, adopted amended rules of order (including a 6:30 p.m. regular start and a 25-minute applicant presentation cap), and approved a calendar of meeting dates including an additional October 28 public hearing.
David Rababi was elected chair of the Caroline County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) during the body’s organizational meeting on Oct. 16, 2025. The board also elected a vice chair, adopted amended rules of order, and approved a set of regular meeting dates, including an advertised public hearing on Oct. 28.
The BZA convened and established that five of six members were present before taking organizational actions. Members moved to adopt the meeting agenda and then opened nominations for chair. After a nomination for David Rababi and a second, the body voted in favor and the chair immediately presided over the meeting.
The board changed two substantive procedural items in its rules of order. First, members agreed the regular start time will be 6:30 p.m. going forward (the draft had proposed 6:30 p.m.; the October 28 hearing will remain advertised for 7 p.m.). Second, the board set a maximum presentation time for applicants or their representatives at 25 minutes for items advertised for public hearing. Staff explained the 6 p.m. start had been previously proposed in 2024 but the board had retained 7 p.m.; the compromise in the packet was 6:30 p.m., and members agreed 6:30 p.m. was acceptable.
The board also approved the rules of order as amended (the motion was made and seconded and carried) and moved to establish a calendar of regular meeting dates. The board added an October 28, 2025 meeting (advertised at 7 p.m.) and penciled in November 25 and December 11, contingent on meeting-space availability and staff confirmation. Members discussed the possibility of moving from the third Thursday to the second Thursday of each month for livestreaming availability; staff will check room availability and return with a recommendation.
The board approved minutes for prior meetings dated April 26, 2023; July 23, 2023; and May 16, 2024. One member who was not on the board at the time of some earlier meetings stated they would abstain from those votes.
The meeting closed the organizational session by motion and proceeded to regular business.
Votes at a glance - Adoption of agenda — motion made and carried (all in favor as recorded on the record). - Election of chair (David Rababi) — motion made, seconded and carried. - Election of vice chair — volunteer nominated, seconded and carried. - Adoption of amended rules of order (change to 6:30 p.m. start; applicant presentation maximum 25 minutes) — motion made, seconded and carried. - Approval of annual meeting dates including Oct. 28, Nov. 25 (penciled), Dec. 11 (penciled) — motion made, seconded and carried; Oct. 28 will keep its advertised 7 p.m. start. - Approval of minutes (04/26/2023, 07/23/2023, 05/16/2024) — motion made and carried; one or more abstentions recorded for members not serving at the time of earlier meetings.
Why it matters: The BZA’s rules and calendar determine how and when residents and applicants can seek appeals, variances and other zoning actions. The new 6:30 p.m. start and the 25-minute applicant cap will affect scheduling and hearing procedures for parties seeking the board’s review.
Context and next steps: Staff will confirm room availability for November and December dates, follow up on the possible permanent move to the second Thursday for livestreaming, and ensure the advertised Oct. 28 public hearing remains at the advertised 7 p.m. start. The board noted staff will circulate instructions for members to access county email accounts to receive meeting materials and scheduling notices.
