BENEDICT, Md. — River’s Edge Restaurant can continue pursuing plans to rebuild along the Benedict waterfront after the Charles County Board of Appeals preserved the property’s commercial nonconforming use.
The decision keeps alive owner George Holmes’ plan to rebuild the restaurant at 7320 Benedict Ave., where the former waterfront building was destroyed by fire in 2018.
The ruling does not approve a final building design or authorize construction. Holmes must still complete county reviews and secure state and federal approvals, particularly for any portion of the restaurant that would extend over tidal waters.
A nonconforming use is a property use that was legal when it began but does not meet current zoning rules. A conforming use meets the regulations currently in place.
How The Rebuilding Dispute Reached The Appeals Board
Holmes submitted his first rebuilding plan in February 2020, nearly two years after the fire. The county reviewed the proposal and later revisions but said a required resubmission was not received after an April 2021 comment letter.
County staff gave Holmes additional time and, in November 2021, outlined the remaining requirements, including a major site plan, commercial building permit, traffic study and detailed construction estimate.
Holmes argued that county guidance led him to believe the restaurant’s nonconforming status would remain in place while he worked through the rebuilding process. Board members also discussed whether that guidance contributed to delays or confusion over what steps had to be completed and when.
The county gave Holmes until Nov. 3, 2022, to obtain a building permit and preserve the property’s nonconforming use. When that deadline was missed, county officials determined the use had been abandoned under the zoning ordinance.
River’s Edge was allowed to operate even though the restaurant extended over tidal waters and could not be approved in the same form under today’s zoning rules.
The case centered on whether the property lost that legal protection after the restaurant remained closed for more than one year following the fire.
County staff determined the use had been abandoned after Holmes missed the deadline to obtain a building permit.
The Board of Appeals voted July 14 to preserve the property’s nonconforming use.
Fire Destroyed The Restaurant In 2018
River’s Edge Restaurant was destroyed by fire April 19, 2018.
The Benedict Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad said Benedict and surrounding units, including crews from Charles and Calvert counties, were dispatched at about 4:30 p.m. Firefighters arrived to find flames coming through the roof of the waterfront building.
Crews initially entered the restaurant but moved to exterior operations as conditions worsened and part of the structure collapsed.
The fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes. Firefighters remained at the property for about three hours to extinguish hot spots and complete overhaul work.
The department said improperly discarded smoking materials were believed to have caused the fire. Damage was estimated at about $1 million.
Watch the full July 14, 2026, Charles County Board of Appeals meeting on CCGTV and see the full agenda and supporting documents below.
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