An amended ordinance would require new and rebuilt homes in Ocean City to be three feet above "base flood elevation."
City Council has a
full agenda for its public meeting 7 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 9) in Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall. But here are a few agenda items that might be of special interest:
- New Zoning Flood Elevation: City Council will take yet another stab at redefining how high new and rebuilt homes must be constructed to avoid damage from future floods. Council in August had passed the first reading of an amended flood elevation ordinance that required the bottom of the joists for the first floor to be two feet above the level of a 100-year flood, or “base flood elevation.” But the city administration asked council to table the second reading on Sept. 25 because the changes were too confusing. A new version up for consideration on Thursday sets habitable spaces at three feet above BFE. See the council agenda packet for full detail and supporting documentation.
- Building Heights in Drive-In Business (DB) Zone: City Council will consider the first of several amended ordinances designed to create a uniform measuring point for heights in all commercial districts. See the council agenda packet for full detail and supporting documentation.
- Debt Refinancing: City Council will consider the second reading of a bond ordinance that Ocean City Finance Director Frank Donato says can lead to $200,000 in potential savings.
- Boardwalk Lumber: City Council will vote to award a $470,000 contract to Lumber Associates Inc. of Bristol, Pa., for the supply of lumber for boardwalk ramp repairs and redecking between 12th and 14th streets. The contract is for southern yellow pine.
- Bike Path Behind Primary School: City Council will vote to approve an application to the state Department of Transportation for a grant that could help pay for paving the bike path between Fifth and Sixth streets behind the Ocean City Primary School. The paved section is part of an island-wide safe bicycling corridor.
