Prince Frederick, MD –  Home occupation locations related to the sale of firearms continues to grow in Calvert County. Frequently, the requests are met with concerns by neighbors who fear the resident might be opening a gun store in their community. On Thursday, Jan. 3 a request for a special exception for such a home business was considered by the Calvert County Board of Appeals. In this case the applicant, Mark Suchter of Port Republic, had the written support of two neighbors.

The special exception allows Suchter to run a Class II home occupation with on-site customer appointments within the residence on his property, for federal firearms license (FFL) transfer of firearms. Suchter’s property is zoned Rural Community District.

“All firearms will be stored safety,” said Suchter, who explained he and his son will be operating the business. Of his neighbors, both of whom have residences that are a considerable distance from his, Suchter stated, “I talked to both of them. Neither of them have a problem. I don’t feel it affects the neighborhood at all.” The applicant assured the board that no merchandise will be on display. “It’s not going to be a store,” he said. “Most of the plan is to do online sales.”

“We’ve had some of these [applications] before,” said Board Member John Ward. Noting some of the angst the previous FFL transfer location applications have created, Ward told Suchter, “you came well-prepared for it.” The board unanimously approved Suchter’s application with no further conditions.

In other matters, the board approved a variance request submitted by Calvert Hospice to install a free-standing sign at the Burnett Hospice House on Sixes Road. “We are requesting a reduction to one foot from the SHA [State Highway Administration] widening strip,” the application stated. “The proposed sign will be located near the same location of the current sign.”

“It will make our house more visible,” said Burnett Calvert Hospice House Director Amy Szatenek, adding that the SHA and Calvert County Department of Public Works have no objections to the request. “If it had to be placed in the required area it wouldn’t be visible.”

The Board of Appeals also granted a variance to Charles Fragman of Lusby to construct a 24-foot-by-24-foot pole barn on his property.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com