WALDORF, Md. — The Charles County Board of Appeals has agreed to reconsider its earlier denial of a special exception petition submitted by Nitan Patel of SSN Waldorf, Inc., seeking approval to establish a fast-food restaurant with a drive-thru at a proposed Dunkin’ Donuts location at 3425 Leonardtown Road in Waldorf.
The board denied the original special exception request following a public hearing held on Jan. 14, 2025. Attorney David J. Martinez, representing the applicant, argued that the initial denial was based on insufficient evidence.
In the motion for reconsideration, Martinez stated, “During the hearing, there was no evidence offered, produced, or admitted in the record to demonstrate that the sought use at the site would have any adverse impacts above and beyond the adverse effect that a fast-food restaurant and drive-thru with direct access to the public roadway generally create.”
A traffic impact study presented to the board indicated that the proposed Dunkin’ Donuts would not create new traffic hazards and would meet all safety standards required by county and state transportation guidelines.
County planning staff had recommended approving the project, noting that traffic impacts would remain within acceptable thresholds if their recommended conditions were met.
During a meeting held on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, the board voted 4-1 to grant the developer’s motion for reconsideration. The site, currently vacant, was previously occupied by a drive-thru bank.
The board also scheduled a new virtual hearing for May 13, 2025, to formally reconsider the application. The hearing will focus on procedural and legal arguments, not on introducing new evidence.
Watch the full April 22 meeting on CCGTV.
See the full staff report and recommendations here.
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