The City of Ocean City's historic U.S. Life Saving Station property at Fourth Street and Atlantic Avenue would be one of the first tests for a potential new bamboo ban on the island.
City Council has a
full agenda for it public meeting 7 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 25) in Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall.
The meeting includes several ordinances related to zoning and other requirements that affect property owners. See the agenda packet below for the full text and documentation on the proposed changes.
Here are some of the items that will be of special interest:
- Bamboo Ban: City Council will consider the second reading of an ordinance that prohibits the planting of bamboo in Ocean City and requires owners of properties with existing bamboo to pay to remove it from neighbors’ properties if it spreads. The first reading of the ordinance sparked a debate on how exactly to determine which property owner is responsible for spreading bamboo. Read more
- Millions for Artificial Turf: City Council will consider the second reading of an ordinance that calls for $1.44 million in appropriations and $1.36 million in borrowing — $1.25 million of it to install an artificial turf field and to resurface the track at Carey Stadium. The project is going out to bid and could cost as much as $1.75 million. Read more
- Irrigated Curb Strips: City Council will consider the second 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. Read more
- Increased Zoning Flood Elevation: City Council will consider the second reading of an amended flood elevation ordinance that changes the required height of first-floor living spaces. Under the existing ordinance, the top of the finished first floor must meet “zoning flood elevation.” The proposed ordinance changes that reference point to the bottom of the joists for the first floor. Read more
- Pretty Pilings: City Council will consider the second reading of an ordinance that requires “more aesthetically pleasing” screenings of exposed pilings and unfinished blocks under elevated homes. It basically requires owners to frame out the foundations and substructures, according to Community Operations Director Roger McLarnon.
- Bayfront Backyards: City Council will consider the second 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.
- Central Business Zone: City Council will consider two ordinances that reshape and redefine the CB and CB-1 Zones that include Asbury Avenue in downtown Ocean City. The ordinance addresses permitted uses, guidelines for residential units and height requirements. City Council approved both ordinances on first reading. The CB ordinance added one block (between 10th and 11th streets) to the CB-1 zone that allows professional services in addition to retail businesses. But due to objections from retail merchants, that provision will be removed. The ordinance will be reintroduced on first reading.
- Porches: City Council will consider the first reading of an ordinance that will allow porches as a permitted side yard encroachment, among other provisions.
- Height Adjustment Based on New Elevation Ordinance: City Council will consider the first reading of an ordinance that compensates for the new zoning flood elevation (see above) by adding a foot to the height of living spaces in some circumstances.
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