Carroll County BZA approves expansion of Bethenia Home Care, grants driveway-width variance

Westminster, Md. — The Carroll County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a conditional use and an access-drive variance for Bethenia Home Care, allowing the operator to build a second 16-bed structure on a split-zoned property on Bell Road and expand the facility to 32 beds.

The board voted to approve the conditional use request and to reduce the required driveway width from 18 feet to 15 feet, with a wider 20–25-foot entrance apron at Bell Road retained to provide vehicle stacking and emergency access. The approval was entered as Case No. 6577; the board said its written decision will be issued within 30 days and outlined appeal procedures under Maryland rules.

The applicants, co-founders Melson Muneses and Machiko ("Chico") Waminal, told the board they already operate a licensed 16-bed assisted living at the site and proposed a new, architecturally similar building to add 16 private rooms and private bathrooms, bringing the facility to a combined 32 beds. "I chose Carroll County — a very homey place," Muneses said, describing the operator's intent to maintain a residential, farm-like setting for residents. Waminal, a nurse and the facility's on-site manager, described…