Mayor Jay Gillian: Laws Govern Projects Like the Soleil

Site of the proposed six-story 111-unit Soleil hotel-condo complex is at 11th Street and Ocean Avenue in Ocean City — currently a parking lot adjacent to the Flanders Hotel. Dear Friends, Some of you may have followed the news this week that a property owner is seeking Planning Board approval to build a new condominium-hotel building near the Ocean City Boardwalk at 11^th Street and Ocean Avenue. When notable properties in town undergo change, people sometimes assume that the city, and specifically the Mayor, can dictate the outcome. But the city and its boards can only enforce existing zoning laws – they can’t take away people’s private property or prevent viable and conforming projects. In this case, a redevelopment zone first approved in 2005 allows a hotel to be constructed, and the Planning Board will determine if the proposal meets that criteria. The business of our boards and commissions are conducted in open public meetings, and I encourage you all to participate in the process. See our city meeting calendar. I welcome you all to participate in this weekend’s celebrations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy. Ocean City’s traditional ceremony, including music and reflections, takes place at 1 p.m. Saturday at Ocean City’s Hughes Performing Arts Center. Marion Davis and Mike Dattilo will be honored for their contributions to the community, and Ocean City Intermediate School students Allie McEntee, Regan Fredericks and Robin Altman will read their winning essays. I’d like to congratulate all of these members of our community. All are invited to a free soul food dinner at the school cafeteria after the event. Everybody’s encouraged to participate in our Citywide Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon Monday as part of the national Day of Service in honor of Dr. King. Volunteers are asked to meet at the Senior Center at 18^th Street and Simpson Avenue at 9 a.m. I’d also like to remind you all of the public presentation we are holding on the five-year capital plan. It takes place at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19 in the Chris Maloney Lecture Hall at the Ocean City Free Public Library. The following Monday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m., I’ll hold a Town Hall Meeting to update everybody on our citywide dredging program. Warm regards, Jay A. Gillian Mayor