[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6358794,"mediaKeyId","2211021-9adb2a4dddc9a961d912b75226d6aa6e","parentId",2211021,"title","Pier 450 application: board conditionally accepts restaurant application but defers pier extension pending county opt-in and zoning change","audioSeconds",1109,"startMs",1498000,"endMs",2607000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2211021-9adb2a4dddc9a961d912b75226d6aa6e&start=1498&end=2607","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2211021-9adb2a4dddc9a961d912b75226d6aa6e/thumbnail_1498000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6358794/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Pier-450-application-board-conditionally-accepts-restaurant-application-but-defers-pier-extension-pending-county-opt-in-and-zoning-change","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358794-f261d8a4d43eac823f6a70ca6b0111bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178660&Signature=Z2ugCOxUokrxOnJdgMFSx-drENmNZG4vFDLBxPYt0zaWdyi55GWuJmtahh8gtSoZEiKN8NK~HYOuFnl9pBBR2BUZVNQtafC9~cWzI32O8nu6mTgm0F~8tc-TEs2oZ-fXHjf0iasmCllV753gBOQ6SZ1CDbU5FFUsxKdacZEoKoJzxoQ8Sh9U8SX8EBvr8qabnCA3AcQY4Hg-JBnzZOpBb~6leBGsd9CoryXRpLiXuzkAYlfbfHjr5OT1nyCYyGXM3Q3Cuuq2cyJkcRys2hM5YpNuqYK3io6DSTbIGRFFI1uKS8XWXTEigPII0Pb5Ycdgr4YAu6g7fKHMPtcFLSMijQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-02-01T19:28:52Z","article","The Alcohol Beverage Board of St. Mary's County on Dec. 13 conditionally accepted an application from Peggy Benzel to purchase the waterfront restaurant formerly known as Shible's and operate it as Pier 450, a Class B beer, wine and liquor restaurant license with catering privileges and an outdoor-seating extension. The board imposed a 90-day conditional approval requiring health-department sign-off, trader's (change-of-occupancy) permit, fire marshal approval, alcohol-awareness training and completion of closing.

Peggy Benzel appeared with an assistant, Rob Plant, and described plans to reopen the restaurant with seasonal outdoor seating, early food service for hotel guests and off-sale (to-go) options for guests staying at nearby rental properties. Benzel and her consultant emphasized that the outdoor seating would be gated and supervised, with signage and staff to prevent patrons from leaving the premises with open containers.

The meeting then moved to a separate, contested question: whether the board could approve extending the licensed premises to include a 450-foot pier and two platforms off the pier for on-site service to boaters. Board members and municipal staff explained that a 2013 amendment to the Maryland statute allows certain non-water-dependent uses, including limited food service, on existing piers in critical areas only if the county chooses to \"opt in.\" Several board members and staff said St. Mary's County has not formally opted in and that a county-level zoning change and growth allocation would also be required before the pier could be used for food service.

Board counsel and staff noted multiple additional approvals would be required even if the county opted in: Land Use and Growth Management review, Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) involvement for waterfront and critical-area permitting, fire marshal review, and public-health (Board of Health) sign-offs. The board noted that, for an existing pier of the size described, fuel service would have to be removed if the pier were repurposed for food service; applicants had proposed removing fuel operations as part of the application.

Several members raised safety and enforcement concerns specific to boaters and docks: intoxicated boaters arriving on the pier, the need for gated access and trained service staff supervising the pier area, and the potential requirement for outside security cameras and railings with protective mesh to reduce fall risk. Applicants said they had already estimated about $8,000 in costs for railings and mesh to childproof the pier and intended to station service staff to supervise the space when it was open.

Because the statutory and zoning prerequisites have not been completed at the county level, the board declined to vote on extending the licensed premises to the pier. One board member said the board could not approve a use \"that is not authorized right now in Saint Mary's County.\" The applicant withdrew the pier extension element of the application; the board instead granted conditional approval for the existing restaurant premises, with the understanding that the pier extension and any future request to serve boaters would have to return to the board after county opt-in, zoning change and the other agency approvals.

What the board approved and deferred
- Approved (conditional): purchase and Class B restaurant license for Pier 450 (owner/applicant Peggy Benzel) with catering privileges and an outdoor-seating extension, subject to health-department, zoning/trader's permits, fire marshal, TAM/RAS training, and closing documentation. The board issued a 90-day conditional window for compliance.

- Deferred/declined to act: extension of the premises onto the 450-foot pier and related platforms for on-site service to boaters. The board said the county must first opt in to the state statute change and pursue the necessary zoning amendments and environmental permits; only then could the board consider a conditional approval for the pier.

Board staff advised the applicant to complete the listed permits, address safety measures (railings, mesh, gates, signage, trained staff and security cameras) and, if and when the county opts in and the zoning is changed, return to the ABC board with a detailed pier plan.

The board approved the restaurant-related conditional application by voice vote; the transcript records discussion but no roll-call tally.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","12/13/2018 Alcohol Beverage Board","oneSentenceSummary","The Alcohol Beverage Board conditionally accepted an application from Peggy Benzel to reopen Pier 450 as a waterfront Class B restaurant but declined to authorize service on the adjacent 450-foot pier until St. Mary's County completes a statutory opt-in and zoning changes.","taxTitle","St. Mary's County, Maryland","taxId",51086,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6358799,"St. Mary's Alcohol Board approves Lexington Village transfer, beer/wine tasting rider and New Year's extensions",552,4216000,4768000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2211021-9adb2a4dddc9a961d912b75226d6aa6e&start=4216&end=4768","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2211021-9adb2a4dddc9a961d912b75226d6aa6e/thumbnail_4216000.jpg","/articles/6358799/St-Marys-County/Maryland/St-Marys-Alcohol-Board-approves-Lexington-Village-transfer-beerwine-tasting-rider-and-New-Years-extensions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358799-41b7d384a18ef791c56186fea0bb4b15/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178660&Signature=Ive3pmdy4Bz59z8vyiDuxKS~4PLhenan1WY5xTnoWFCPqUvGWJ~mSw-vM1ot2Nij~od~Txt8euPTeME-uCIUhIUSOV0IszosW7M~GXAuGcoCGVwCzAX2CZIAY1xYMrGIutSTo1vEYY0Z6pLL5eq~7t1LZoxysK8WgVKbPNAwtfd~aUlFxG0NYtn6Oj95mPO3N2SeeSoO20DlYUbop6AHICC6XZTdjpr4~rsclAQ1mmkObp32oxIvu4~OsQAZ2LSVMTJiiiwt3O5SZVo6EISrA1gV7RJUZCNIJ9JfqxkbYe7wGAiYfxOjET7AM5GsEh4VM9uKu-934RNCUyQrpEXSag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alcohol Beverage Board of St. Mary's County on Dec. 13 conditionally approved multiple license and privilege requests during a regular meeting in Leonardtown.

Most prominently, the board approved a conditional transfer of Lexington Village Wine & Spirits to Ajit Singh (WER7 LLC) and granted the applicant a beer-and-wine-tasting (BWT) 365-day privilege. The board set the transfer as conditional on completion of closing, a trader's (change-of-occupancy) permit, a signed lease and other typical documentation; the approval included a 90-day window for the applicant to complete required filings.

Separately, the board approved a special-privilege application that allows an off-sale licensee to conduct beer and wine tastings year-round (365 days). The licensee on the record identified himself as Joshua Lee Carr and said tastings would take place in a compact back area of the store. Board staff reminded all licensees of statutory and administrative limits for tastings: limits per-offering and per-day totals, and the requirement to dispose of any open containers at the end of the business day.

In other routine business, the board granted permission for extended hours on New Year's Eve to a list of eight established on-sale licensees, allowing service between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2019, provided they meet health and food-preparation requirements. The approved list included Bramley Inn; Brass Rail; Butler's Place; OCI Pub and Pizza King; Sea Breeze Restaurant; St. Mary's Elk Lodge No. 2092; Starter's Lounge; and VFW Post 2632.

What the approvals mean
- Lexington Village Wine & Spirits: Applicant Ajit Singh told the board he expects to close within weeks; the board made approval conditional on closing and documented permits. The board discussed RAS/TAM training and the need for employees to complete required alcohol-awareness training. The applicant requested up to 90 days to complete paperwork; the board agreed the 90-day conditional period was acceptable and granted the BWT 365 privilege as part of the transfer application.

- Early Bird (beer/wine tastings): The board approved a 365-day tasting rider designed to reduce administrative burden for stores that host frequent tastings. Board staff reiterated tasting-size limits and the requirement to dispose of opened product.

- New Year's Eve extended hours: The board approved a single omnibus motion granting the listed establishments the limited exception to remain open and serve prepared food between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2019. Board staff explained most of the administrative work for these permits (temporary food permits, health-department sign-off) is performed by applicants.

Votes and procedure
All three items were approved by voice vote; the transcript records the motions, seconds and the board's \"Aye\" responses but does not include a roll-call tally for each vote. Where applicable, approvals were explicitly conditional on required permits, closing, and training.

The board noted that applicants must return signed original licenses when issued and follow the board office's procedures to finalize transfers and privilege riders.","The Alcohol Beverage Board of St. Mary's County conditionally approved a transfer of Lexington Village Wine & Spirits to Ajit Singh's LLC with a 90-day condition and granted a year-round beer/wine tasting rider to an Early Bird licensee and several New Year's Eve extended-hours requests.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6358802,"Licensee tells St. Mary's Alcohol Board she will surrender license after septic system failure",83,638000,721000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2211021-9adb2a4dddc9a961d912b75226d6aa6e&start=638&end=721","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2211021-9adb2a4dddc9a961d912b75226d6aa6e/thumbnail_638000.jpg","/articles/6358802/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Licensee-tells-St-Marys-Alcohol-Board-she-will-surrender-license-after-septic-system-failure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358802-9dd9000a7f7b317c6e3657c2ffa963ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178660&Signature=gX0jGZhZkpU5-r8y0rJ8tnyQ~92-6rIEdGMdUotWE36HlLPaMli2k~6S0NOUcJ3pWaHrzVzozqOVzreghqfDeLnh3n8ZbfQX~Bafoqc5ao0uizSeeNvvkDzsyQKtMJjjEbH2LT9UFJ0vDd~79QtGXSsn2VigyN46rNEsCPJ6rzMrWepKUcyfn63qcCU8COkdt5-zNplJfXmwIMTwnIXNfOIOPCNLU9R0I0ye6jolC6bRfXKdfqIy-w2hZ1~BPMiQZFi-psLOs6oMkicDTKmbVdksQm87SzAL5cHRITXTSGu3SGaQwdqSTEnpgVbm2J9vV-Um6u7W3c8vrX89q2ELag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A licensee told the Alcohol Beverage Board of St. Mary's County on Dec. 13 that she will surrender her establishment's alcohol license because the property\u0000on-site sewage disposal system has been declared a failure by the health department.

The matter began when the board\u0000cited Section 6-204 of the Alcoholic Beverage Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, and said it had been notified by the health department that the property\u0000septic system had been determined to be a failure. The board asked to be updated on the status and whether the health department would suspend or revoke the property's permit if the violation is not corrected.

Dimple Oberoi, who gave an address on the record, told the board: \"we're just going planning to shut it down...we're turning in the license.\" She said the group would surrender the license because they could not secure funds to repair the septic system and the lease owner had not resolved the issue.

Board Administrator Tammy Hildebrand and board members walked through the next steps for surrendering a license. Hildebrand said surrendering the license now would require any future reopening to follow the full new-application process, including a transfer and change-of-occupancy approvals if the business sought to reopen at a different location.

The board and staff also discussed the immediate logistics of surrender: staff must post notice that alcohol may not be served at the premises once the surrender is processed, and the board's enforcement staff would visit the site to assess how much alcohol remained on the premises and to advise on lawful disposal or return-to-vendor options.

\"I will call you this afternoon and we will make arrangements to come by, post the notice, and then explain to you how that alcohol has to be\" handled, a board member told the licensee.

The licensee said she would try to deliver the license to the board office the same day or the following morning so that staff could post the notice. The board confirmed there was no one residing in the apartment on the property and that they would assess the remaining stock and whether containers needed to be discarded or could be returned to vendors.

No formal board vote was required to accept the implied surrender; the transcript records the licensee's stated intent to turn in the license and staff guidance on next steps.

The board recorded the inquiry and staff follow-up actions so the enforcement coordinator and inspector could complete site work and the public-record steps required by the county.","A licensee told the Alcohol Beverage Board of St. Mary's County on Dec. 13 that she will surrender the establishment\u0000alcohol license after the health department declared the on-site septic system a failure; the board discussed posting notice and handling remaining alcohol stock.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pier 450 application: board conditionally accepts restaurant application but defers pier extension pending county opt-in and zoning change

St. Mary's Alcohol Board approves Lexington Village transfer, beer/wine tasting rider and New Year's extensions

Licensee tells St. Mary's Alcohol Board she will surrender license after septic system failure