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Board approves home‑based federal firearms license on Hodge Road with strict conditions after residents object
Summary
After extended public comment from neighbors concerned about narrow dead‑end roads and waterfront access, the Board granted Renee L. Ward a Class A home‑occupation special exception to operate a low‑volume, appointment‑only federal firearms license from 1275 Hodge/Hollage Road, Lusby, with conditions limiting visitors to one at a time, six visits per month, signature‑required deliveries and residency requirements.
The Calvert County Board of Appeals voted Sept. 4 to grant Renee L. Ward a special exception to operate a Class A federal firearms license (FFL) from his residence at 1275 Hodge (Hollage) Road in Lusby, subject to several conditions designed to limit public impact.
Ward testified that his business is primarily online, that he conducts transfers by appointment ("1 customer at a time") and estimated 1–6 client visits per month. He said all deliveries are signature‑required and that firearms awaiting transfer would be stored in a roughly 650‑pound gun safe in his garage. "It's by appointment only — it's not a shop," Ward said, adding he does not advertise and conducts sales to friends and family.
Staff read a long list of public exhibits and correspondence, including petition letters and multiple oppositions and concerns from neighbors. Residents and nearby property owners raised issues about Hodge/Hollage Road: narrow single‑lane dead ends with no turnarounds, blind spots, deep drainage ditches without guardrails, frequent pedestrian and school bus use, and that some parts of the lane are private with limited county maintenance. Multiple speakers said deliveries sometimes arrive at neighboring driveways and cited worries that a published FFL address could attract visitors and increase traffic. Several residents also questioned whether Ward could perform the business while absent part of the year and whether security measures (alarms, bolting doors) were adequate if he were not present.
Board members pressed Ward on security and oversight: whether deliveries arrive only when he or a designated adult is present, how long transferred firearms would remain on site (Ward said regulated firearms can remain up to 7–10 days depending on rules and paperwork), and whether ammunition would or would not be sold (Ward said no ammunition sales and ATF/State Police inspections occur periodically). Ward acknowledged he sometimes spends part of the year in Florida and accepted a condition that the special exception would be valid only while he remains a Maryland resident and at this address.
After robust public testimony, the board discussed findings under the special‑exception criteria: implementation of the comprehensive plan, enjoyment of adjacent properties and public services (roads, safety), and the minimum adjustment necessary. The board's motion included multiple conditions: the exception applies only to Mr. Ward at 1275 Hodge Road and is nontransferable; all deliveries must be signature‑required; a limit of six visitors/vehicles per month and one customer at a time; no sales of ammunition; and the exception becomes invalid if Ward changes permanent residency out of Maryland/Calvert County. The board recorded a unanimous voice vote to grant the special exception with the conditions.
The board closed the public hearing and directed staff to include the conditions in the written order to be issued within 45 days.
