City Council voted to table an ordinance on wireless communication towers at Thursday’s meeting, while approving advertisement for contracts for the project.

A second reading and public hearing were scheduled for Ordinance 25-01, a zoning ordinance about the use of wireless communication towers on public and city-owned land.

Council instead voted to table the move in order for the ordinance rewritten and reviewed with a new first reading planned for later this month.

The move was suggested by City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson, following a list of recommended revisions suggested by the Planning Board during its meeting Wednesday.

The changes are to keep in accordance with the Ocean City Master Plan. 

“The changes would be substantial, so that would mean a new introduction and first reading at the next meeting,” McCrosson told council. “Then we could go right into the public hearing and adoption at the following meeting.” 

Council unanimously agreed to table the ordinance, which will be reviewed with the Planning Board’s recommended revisions.

A new first reading is set for Feb. 20, with the public hearing at the March 13 meeting. 

Council did vote to authorize the city to advertise for wireless cell tower lease, design, construction, operation and maintenance contract. 

The advertisement will be published in the Ocean City Sentinel on Feb. 12, and bid opening is scheduled for March 18. 

Parking Lot Improvements

 Plans are to clean up the parking lot at 16th Street and Haven Avenue, add some sidewalks and put down sod, the mayor said.
  

City Council also voted unanimously to approve the advertisement for city contracts for short-term improvements to the city-owned parking lot at 16th Street and Haven Avenue, neighboring the Community Center.

Mayor Jay Gillian announced that the city plans to make aesthetic improvements to the space for this coming summer, including adding sidewalks, planting grass, and removing unneeded materials and items from the area.

“We're going to clean it up, add some sidewalks, and put some sod down so we can use it this summer,” he said. “Then, we’ll come up with a long-term plan.”

The property was originally acquired by the city through eminent domain in 2021, previously being owned by Palmer Center LLC. 

After a long running legal battle, a civil jury recently ruled Ocean City pay $7.2 million for the plot of land. 

City officials previously said they would seek repayment for cleanup costs from Palmer Center LLC due to necessary environmental remediation, but did not say during the meeting if they will seek repayment for the intended improvements this year. 

Long range plans for the land were not discussed, but numerous recreational facilities, open land and attractions have been suggested by the public.