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After wide neighbor debate, board allows Flag Harbor seasonal tavern with conditions to limit noise, hours and off‑site impacts
Summary
Following hours of public testimony on traffic, safety and neighborhood character, the board unanimously granted a special exception for a small seasonal, owner‑restricted open‑air tavern at Flag Harbor, attaching conditions including seasonal dates, limited hours, no amplified music, on‑site consumption only, permit requirements and a two‑food‑truck maximum.
After extensive public comment and staff review, the Calvert County Board of Appeals on Sept. 5 granted a special exception to Flag Harbor LLC to operate a small, seasonal open‑air tavern and patio near the Flag Harbor Marina.
Applicant Wayne Gessford and engineer Dan Kelsch presented a plan for a roughly 2,300‑square‑foot pavilion with some covered seating, a bar and an adjacent open patio. Gessford described proposed seasonal hours (May 1–Nov. 1, Thursday–Sunday, noon–9 p.m.), a desire to limit activity to the surrounding community and an intention not to allow amplified music. “We do not want to have any amplified music whatsoever…we want to stay in accordance with the 65 dBA decibels that's required by Calvert County,” Gessford said.
More than two dozen residents spoke for and against the proposal. Opponents raised road‑safety, parking and pedestrian concerns on narrow private roads, the possibility of patrons wandering onto private beaches, and uncertainty about future owners. Supporters — including slip owners and some condo‑association representatives — said the proposal would serve the marina community, improve underused property and be managed by a local operator who has made recent site improvements.
The board balanced those perspectives and adopted conditions in its motion: the special exception is owner‑specific (does not run with the land), limited seasonally to May 1–Nov. 1, hours restricted to Thursday–Sunday, 12–9 p.m., no amplified music (must comply with county noise code), consumption confined to a designated on‑site area and alcohol restricted to on‑sale (no off‑sales). The order requires the applicant to obtain all necessary permits and health approvals (including ADA restrooms) and limited food vendors (no more than two food trucks present at a time). The board voted unanimously to grant the special exception with those conditions.
Staff and board members noted several implementation steps remain: site‑plan review, county health department approvals for septic and restroom facilities, and coordination with public safety and public works on potential traffic‑calming measures. The board encouraged the applicant and the community to pursue county traffic‑calming options (stop signs, speed studies) as part of the subsequent permitting process.
