Why is it I am never amazed at the actions taken by our elected officials and also the poor planning and zoning ideas approved and/or developed by our Engineering, Planning and Zoning staffs?
Where is good comprehensive planning and zoning that the Property Owners so deserve and fail to receive.
Finally, we the citizens of Ocean City now know the real reason for the new Hospitality Zone adopted in September of 2013.
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Historically, the City in good faith adopted in 2005 a plan, after much discussion with surrounding property owners, which would complement the Flanders Hotel project and also satisfy the neighbors across the street from the proposed site.
Ultimately this project did not get off the ground as a result of funding problems.
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If the City had followed up after three years of nothing happening, the zoning should have reverted back to the original concept.
Instead of this taking place, the City created the New Hospitality Zone and presto we now have a 94-Unit, six-story residential condominium proposal with an office and a possible restaurant on the first floor along with shared parking with the Flanders.
The concept is totally different from the 5 story 68-foot high building with stacked parking. A year-round facility that would complement the Flanders Hotel. Instead the developer is seeking an 83.3 feet of height in place of the 68 feet previously approved after much discussion with the adjacent property owners. .
The original project never got off the ground, however, the zoning remained on the record and so we are here today with the proposed change in concept and idea. Strange that the new proposal seems to fit into the convenient Hospitality Zone.
This is the typical type zoning that has taken place in Ocean City for years, and one wonders why people are leaving the City?
