Downtown Ocean City was cited as one area where potential exceptions could be made to a new rule that would require grass strips between the curb and sidewalk for newly constructed or homes undergoing major reconstruction.
In a 4-2 vote on Thursday, City Council passed the first reading of an ordinance that requires property owners to provide a grass or sod strip between curbs and sidewalks and to have an irrigation system to maintain it.
The ordinance would apply only to newly constructed and substantially rebuilt (construction costs more than 50 percent of assessed value) homes.
The ordinance allows exceptions for places where the city determines that concrete would be safer for pedestrians.
The city already has an ordinance that requires irrigation systems on the other side of the sidewalk for new and substantially rebuilt homes.
A public hearing second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for Sept. 25.
The aim of the measure is to improve aesthetics and to decrease impervious coverage on a flood-prone island, according to council members.
"I don't like to force people to do things that they don't really want to do," Councilman Pete Guinosso said before casting one of the "no" votes.
"At what point is enough enough?" Councilman Mike Allegretto said of too many rules that property owners must follow. He cast the other dissenting vote.
