Board of Appeals keeps occupation disclosure, retains 15-day reconsideration while debating remote testimony

The Calvert County Board of Appeals adopted revisions to its rules of procedure at the Dec. 4 administrative session after extended discussion on hybrid testimony, legal-notice advertising and other procedural details.

Members debated whether to require in-person testimony or continue a hybrid format that allows remote participation. Staff noted that the meeting's legal notice already described the session as hybrid and that applicants and agents had been "encouraged" to attend in person; the coordinator said she will ask applicants to notify staff in advance if they require remote testimony. Board members split on priorities: some favored requiring in-person testimony for applicants while leaving the chair discretion to allow remote participation in exceptional circumstances; others argued hybrid access improves public participation.

The board also discussed whether to remove the requirement that speakers state their occupation. An alternate had suggested removing it to avoid potential bias, but the board voted to retain the occupation disclosure in the rules packet. On reconsideration windows, the board debated changing the request-for-reconsideration period from 15 to 30 days; after counsel reviewed court-timing interactions the board elected to keep the 15-day period to avoid prolonging the process. The motion to adopt the redlined rules, with those two explicit decisions (retain occupation and retain 15 days), carried in open session. Staff will forward the revised rules to the Board of County Commissioners as required.