City Council on Thursday unanimously approved the first reading of a ban on the use of drones in Ocean City. But here are some other items that might be of interest.
DEED RESTRICTIONS ON CRAWLSPACES:
Council gave final approval to removing a deed restriction requirement reminding buyers that ground-level crawlspaces cannot be used as habitable space.
Because so many, homes were being elevated after Superstorm Sandy in 2012, Ocean City passed an ordinance requiring sellers to have the deed restrictions added. The vote removes the requirement for deed restrictions (but keep the use restriction). The deed restriction requirement was “onerous and really not necessary,” City Solicitor Dottie McCrosson said. It added time and expense to home sales, even though the use is still subject to enforcement by the zoning office.
Zoning Board Chairman James Houck wrote a letter recommending the board keep the deed restriction because the board has seen post-construction variance applications for work that’s already been done on ground-level spaces.
Ocean City resident Georgina Shanley also argued for keeping the deed restriction. She said had to create the deed restriction after her home was recently elevated.
“It’s just $50 and a very simple form,” she said. “It’s not any big deal.”
Councilman Pete Guinosso sided with Houck and cast the dissenting vote in a 6-1 tally.
SUPER FRESH TEMPORARY CLOSING: Council Antwan McClellan said he is working the city and with Acme owners to learn more about a possible temporary closing of the Super Fresh supermarket on the 800 block of West Avenue. Acme recently purchased the store and may make renovations that require the store to close. McClellan said he would work to provide transportation for families that rely on being able to walk to the store to purchase food.
ALLEY IMPROVEMENTS: Council voted to go out to bid for milling and repaving the following alleys:
- Wesley/Ocean: 1st to 2nd streets
- Asbury/Central: 3rd to 4th streets
- West/Asbury: 10th to 11th streets
- Asbury/Central: 54th to 55th streets
- Asbury/Central: 55th to 56th streets
HEALTHY LIVING COUNCIL: Council changed the name of the Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Sports to the Ocean City Healthy Living Advisory Council.
SAND HAULING: Council voted to seek bids from companies that can haul sand from the beach south of the Ocean City-Longport Bridge to any area of beach that needs emergency repair.
UNDERGROUND FUEL TANK REMEDIATION: Council voted to award a professional services contract with the engineering firm Adams, Rehmann and Heggan to design plans and specifications to remediate underground fuel tanks at the city’s Fleet Maintenance Building on the 1100 block of Haven Avenue.
NORTH END PUMPING STATION: Council voted to award at $118,400 contract to Paulus, Sokolowski and Sarto for additional design services for the North End Pumping Station that will be designed to relieve flooding between 2nd Street and 8th Street from West Avenue to the bay. Councilman Antwan McClellan said he is working to plan a neighborhood meeting on the project.
MEET AND GREET ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES: Councilman Mike DeVlieger said he is planning a “party-neutral” informal meet-and-greet with the four candidates (two Republicans and two Democrats) for the state Assembly. The event is 6 p.m. Sunday at Arlene’s on Asbury (624 Asbury Avenue) and all are welcome to attend.
FOURTH WARD MEETING: Councilman Pete Guinosso said he plans a Fourth Ward meeting 9:30 a.m. Nov. 14 at Our Lady of Good Counsel church at 40th Street and Asbury Avenue. All are welcome to attend.
