Chesapeake Beach meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Chesapeake Beach Town Council takes up data center ban, ADU ordinances

The Chesapeake Beach Town Council met twice in the past two weeks, taking up a proposed ban on data centers, new ordinances on accessory dwelling units and home occupations, and a $30,560 purchase of benches for Veterans Park. Minutes have not yet been published, so the outcomes of the meetings are not yet known.

Town Council work session (Aug. 11)

The council held an informational work session to discuss accessory dwelling units (ADUs), a proposed amendment to the home occupation ordinance to allow state or federally regulated businesses, appointments to the Board of Appeals, the 15th Street stairs, and planning for the FY27 legislative agenda. No formal votes were scheduled. The agenda included the appointment of Larry Taub as legal counsel for the Board of Appeals and the reappointment of Amy Everett to the board.

Town Council public hearing (Aug. 20)

The council held a public hearing and was scheduled to vote on Ordinance O-26-14, which would prohibit data centers in all zoning districts. The council also introduced three new ordinances: O-26-15 to implement state requirements for accessory dwelling units, O-26-16 to ease restrictions on private tree management, and O-26-17 to permit incidental sales with home occupations. The council also considered a $30,560 purchase of replacement benches at Veterans Park and a lease agreement with BGE for water tower space.

Water Park Committee (Aug. 20)

The committee reviewed demolition updates, color selections, and next steps for the water park project. The agenda was procedural, with an open floor for questions and comments. The committee also discussed an opportunity for residents to take a piece of the old water park home.

Coming up

The Green Team meets Aug. 27 to plan community events. It is organizing a stormwater talk on Sept. 22 with speaker Caroline DeGiovanni, including giveaways such as rain barrels; an erosion control planting on Oct. 17 with plants donated by Wild Ones; and a Paddle N Pathway event on Sept. 26 with a boat provided by the Department of Natural Resources. The team is also awaiting approval and budget for a food forest at 26th Street Pocket Park, and is developing a postcard mailing to residents about the Tree Removal Permit. The team will also discuss tree permit outreach and signage maintenance.

Chesapeake Beach Meeting Roundup: Tree Removal, Zoning Revisions, and Pedestrian Safety on Recent Agendas

Four Chesapeake Beach advisory bodies met between July 21 and July 28, 2026. All four meetings are listed as agenda-only, with minutes not yet published, so outcomes and votes are not yet part of the public record. Here is what each body was scheduled to take up.

Tree Board — July 21

The Tree Board was scheduled to approve minutes from its May 11, 2026 hearing and then review a tree removal application submitted by Reginald Lyons for a Magnolia tree at 4006 Arcade Court. The agenda included a public comment period before adjournment. No decision is confirmed in the available record.

Planning & Zoning Commission — July 22

The Planning & Zoning Commission was set to discuss a new ADU Parking Study and its waiver process. The commission also planned to review draft revisions to three zoning sections:

• **290-9:** Purpose and intent of districts.
• **290-10:** Addition of a "Certification of Use and Occupancy required" provision.
• **290-11:** Standards of Use.

Additionally, the commission was scheduled to consider Chapter 4 of the Coastal Resilience Plan, including overlay zone mapping, sea-level-rise updates, and freeboard requirements. No votes or outcomes are confirmed.

Ethics Commission — July 27

The Ethics Commission was scheduled to continue discussions about which town officials should be subject to public disclosure requirements. The body was also preparing for a working meeting with the Town Administrator on the same topic. Approval of the June 15, 2026 meeting minutes was also on the agenda.

Walkable Community Advisory Group — July 28

The Walkable Community Advisory Group was scheduled to review the status of several town initiatives:

• **Pedestrian crossing studies** by the State Highway Administration for MD 261 at four locations: Old Bayside Road, Mears Avenue/Harbor Road, Windward Key Drive, and Chesapeake Village Blvd.
• **$120,000.00 in Program Open Space funds** listed as available for an unspecified project.
• **Chesapeake Beach Railway Trail Expansion RFP vendor selection.**
• **Chesapeake Village Sidewalk to Beach Elementary School project** status.
• **200+ acre FIDS property** legal disposition evaluation.

Because minutes have not been published for any of these meetings, no actions, votes, or recommendations can be confirmed at this time. Readers seeking the authoritative record should consult the official minutes once posted by the Town of Chesapeake Beach.

Coming up

No public meetings are listed on the town calendar for the next 14 days (August 3–17, 2026). Residents are encouraged to check the town website for any newly posted agendas or schedule changes.