Council Roundup: Yes to Schilling Estate Purchase, No to Rolling Chairs, and More

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From left, Elijah Kohli, administrative fellow, Strategic Planning; Christine Hayek, senior director of operations, AtlantiCare Physicians Group; Robyn Boniewicz, assistant vice president, Urgent Care Service Line; Terri Schieder, senior vice president, Population Health; Ellen Wolownik, assistant vice president, Population Health; and Ashley Harris, executive assistant to senior vice president, Population Health.

The Schilling estate property lies between the Boardwalk and Wesley Avenue homes near 19th Street in Ocean City, NJ.

City Council on Thursday (Aug. 28) rezoned the property of the vacant Palermo's Family Market to allow construction of duplexes and passed the first reading of an ordinance to ban bamboo on the island, but here are a handful of other items that might be of interest:

Schilling Estate: City Council approved the second and final reading of an ordinance that authorizes the borrowing of $1.7 million to pay to preserve vacant beachfront lots near 19th Street. The city has plans to recover all but $200,000 of the cost in an effort to protect the unique open space from development. Read more
Central Business Zone: City Council approved the first readings of two ordinances that reshape and redefine the CB and CB-1 Zones that include Asbury Avenue in downtown Ocean City. The changes add one block (between 10th and 11th streets) to the CB-1 zone (it was part of the CB zone). The ordinance addresses permitted uses (existing CB uses such as barber shops are still permitted but described as "retail services"), guidelines for residential units and height requirements. See the agenda packet below for the full text and documentation on the proposed changes. Public hearings and second readings of the proposed ordinances are scheduled for Sept. 25 after a Planning Board consistency review.
Beach Project Easements: City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance granting the Army Corps of Engineers easements at city street ends. The action is a prerequisite to allow the south-end beach replenishment project scheduled for November to proceed.
Sheds, Sun Canopies and Pergolas on the Bayside: City Council passed the first reading of an ordinance that regulates sheds, gazebos, sun canopies and pergolas (open-framed archways or canopies) in the back yards of homes on the bay and lagoons. About 50 gazebo-type structures currently exist. See the agenda packet below for the full text and documentation on the proposed changes.
Rolling Chair Ban: Atlantic City-style rolling chairs will not be coming to the Ocean City Boardwalk and streets. City Council gave final approval to an ordinance that prohibits them. The police chief had recommended that adding more to an already crowded boardwalk mix could be a safety hazard.
Community Services Department: City Council voted to re-establish the Community Services Department, which was merged into a new Community Operations Department a year ago. Community Operations would continue to deal with building, zoning, public works and engineering operations. Community Services would handle recreation and public relations services, among others. The change is expected to take place "within a month."
Library Roof: City Council voted to award a $425,315 contract to D.A. Nolt Inc. of Berlin to fix the roof of the Ocean City Free Public Library.
Transportation Center Restoration: City Council voted to award a $522,820 contract to TNT Construction of West Deptford to restore the historic Ocean City Transportation Center, which was damaged in Superstorm Sandy.
Tourism Commission Appointments: City Council voted to appoint Bill McGinnity and Carol Frank as non-voting members of the Ocean City Tourism Development Commission.