Bel Air receives ordinance to revise setbacks for taverns, liquor stores and cannabis businesses; public hearing set for Jan. 20

The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners on Dec. 15 received an ordinance that would revise separation standards in the town’s development regulations for taverns (including taverns with entertainment), microbreweries, wineries and distilleries, liquor stores and cannabis businesses.

Mister Small, presenting the proposal, told the board the changes aim to keep consistent treatment among similar uses as required by state law. Staff said the town currently lists 300‑foot building‑to‑building separations and proposes a 500‑foot property‑line‑to‑property‑line separation for certain uses, while noting state regulations can require reduced separations (down to 100 feet) from residential uses. The draft ordinance includes a carve‑out to avoid creating numerous nonconforming uses for businesses established before the ordinance’s effective date (staff listed Feb. 10 as an assumed effective date in materials).

"The legislation of cannabis businesses was enabled through the code text found in alcoholic beverage and cannabis article titled 36 of the Annotated Code of Maryland," the presenter said, explaining the legal basis for treating similar uses consistently.

The board voted to receive ordinance 8‑51‑25 and tentatively scheduled a public hearing for Jan. 20 at Bel Air Town Hall. Receipt means the board will take public comment at the scheduled hearing before any final action.

Commissioners asked questions during the presentation but made no substantive amendments at the meeting. Staff recommended the reception of the ordinance to allow public engagement and formal consideration at the scheduled hearing.

If adopted after the hearing, the amendment would change the town’s development standards for distance separations among regulated uses and create a limited grandfathering provision for existing businesses.