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Commission recommends favorable special exception for Fraternal Order of Police lodge site; shooting range not included in application
Summary
The planning commission recommended approval of a special exception for a Fraternal Order of Police lodge and meeting hall at 2220 Dalesville Road, with commissioners noting prior approvals, conditions from earlier orders, and that a shooting range is not part of the current application.
Dorchester County planning commissioners recommended a favorable special-exception approval to the Board of Appeals for a Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) lodge and meeting hall on a nearly 10‑acre parcel at 2220 Dalesville Road outside Cambridge.
Christopher Robinson, attorney for the applicant, summarized the property's history, including a prior approval that was later reviewed in circuit court and affirmed. He said the parcel is not in flood zone or the critical area and that the proposed building footprint is approximately 50 by 70 feet (about 3,900–4,000 square feet) with parking for roughly 20–30 vehicles.
FOP President Thomas (Tommy) Hurley told the commission the lodge is intended for membership meetings and limited events for members and families and that the organization has been fundraising for years. Hurley said the lodge currently has about 34 police-officer members and that the group has raised approximately $400,000; he estimated a final building budget in the $600,000–$650,000 range and described ongoing fundraising efforts.
Commissioners discussed prior conditions attached to earlier approvals, including that the FOP building not be leased to non-members, that the special exception not be transferable, and a prior stipulation barring a shooting range. Planning staff and commissioners clarified that a shooting range is not part of the present application and that county zoning language appears to exclude shooting ranges from the institutional/meeting-hall use category; planners said amending county code or seeking a zoning change would be required if the lodge later sought a shooting range.
The commission voted to recommend a favorable special exception according to the submitted application. The motion passed by voice vote with no roll-call tally recorded in the transcript. Staff noted that site-plan approval, parking calculations, and required permits will follow this recommendation before any construction.
