A Bay Avenue home on the rise in Ocean City.
At its public meeting Thursday (Oct. 9), City Council passed
a resolution opposing a state Senate bill that could block the town from collecting beach tag fees, but here are a few other actions that might be of special interest:
- New Zoning Flood Elevation/Height Guideline: City Council passed the first reading of an amended ordinance that changes how building heights are measured. In determining how tall new buildings can be built, heights will measured from a point at three feet above base flood elevation (from that point to the top of the roof). A recently approved ordinance that requires the floor joists of new homes to be built two feet above BFE remains unchanged. The change was an attempt to eliminate confusion about how to measure heights, according to City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson. See the council agenda packet for full detail and supporting documentation. A second reading is scheduled for Nov. 13.
- Building Heights in Drive-In Business (DB) Zone: City Council approved the first of several amended ordinances designed to create a uniform measuring point for heights in all commercial districts. The reference point is base flood elevation (and not the center line of the street) under the proposed measure. See the council agenda packet for full detail and supporting documentation. A second reading is scheduled for Nov. 13
- Debt Refinancing: City Council approved the second reading of a bond refinancing that Ocean City Finance Director Frank Donato says can lead to $200,000 in potential savings.
- Boardwalk Lumber: City Council awarded 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 approved 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.
- Combined Real Estate Value Rising: Ocean City Business Administrator Mike Dattilo reported to City Council that the deadline for determining the city's ratable base (the combined assessed value of all its real estate) passed on Oct. 1. The ratable base grew by $152 million, he said. But one final round of reassessments (completed as part of a multi-year "compliance plan") will offset that by smaller amount, he said.
