City Tables ‘Coastal Cottage’ Vote; Military, Vets Get Free Beach Access

OCEAN CITY — Ocean City City Council met April 14. All applauded the announcement that the resort’s beaches were named “Best in the U.S.” by Coastal Living magazine.
Public comment produced two residents with disparate concerns. One resident noted that he was a long-time city business owner and also owner of the “Nor’easters” developmental league soccer team.
“It was a sad day” he said, as he learned the city had approved a Boston company to provide recreational summer soccer camp. “A lot of the expenses for the players and interns I cover personally or team members, themselves also cover. We have players who advance to the pros and it’s really a shame that we can’t be afforded this income from the summer camp to support our team,” he said.
Another was concerned how to get information about the status of two abandoned gas stations on the major resort’s thoroughfare.
City administration stepped up attention to rectify what has been termed a “blight” on the Ninth Street entryway and is actively promoting sale of those vacant properties to give a “better impression to visitors as they first enter Ocean City.”
The speaker is in the produce business. “I have seen that there is not any good produce in Ocean City, not that it’s any better in Somers Point or Marmora, but I want to do something here. Anything on Asbury Avenue (the main business district) is too small at 800 sq. ft. and I want something nice.
“I’ve been working with a Realtor but we can’t find out who owns the lots where these vacant gas stations are sitting. I’d like to rent, buy, anything.” Business Administrator James Mallon promised to get back to him with the information he needs.
“Coastal Cottage” Ordinance
A measure that would revoke “coastal cottages” concept as a conditional use in the Drive-in Business Zone was again up for final vote.
The measure was tabled March 24, because, per Mallon, the city required more time to notify property owners in and around the business zone of the change.
At this meeting, the administration again asked council to table the ordinance since, according to Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson, notifications had not gone out to all potentially affected property owners.
“However, anyone attending tonight please know that this is the only notice you will receive, there will be no further notification to you,” explained McCrosson.
As background, council originally introduced the measure Feb. 24. “Coastal Cottages” as a conditional use in the Drive-in Business Zone was approved in May 2013, and the city’s first cottage development, Costeria Cottages, was approved by the planning board in 2014. Ocean City’s “Drive-in Business Zone” runs between Sixth and 14th streets from West to Haven Aves.
Costeria, an 18-home development on Haven Avenue between 12th and 13th streets, is under construction and will be grandfathered under the law passed in 2013 if any revocation is passed. 
Another proposed 10-unit development, planned for a lot on 16th Street between Haven and Simpson avenues, would also be grandfathered although is years away from breaking ground.
After the measure to revoke the concept was introduced in February, Mallon said the city wants to prevent further approvals or construction of cottages until officials can assess Costeria’s impact on the surrounding neighborhood once construction is completed.
Military, Vets Beach Tags
Council unanimously (with Committee member Peter Guinosso recused) approved an ordinance revision that allows active military, spouses and their families of children under 12 years of age as well as veterans to show appropriate identification or documents for free beach access.
In the past, military and veterans who qualified for free beach access still needed to obtain a beach tag which was available to them free of charge with proper identification. This ordinance was passed in light of related new state legislation.
Land Claim for Private Bulkhead
Council unanimously approved on introduction of a resolution which allows for a quit-claim measure for $1 by the city to a 5-foot-wide strip of land between a home on West 17th Street and the 17th Street channel to a private home owner at the site.
The owner intends to replace a deteriorated bulkhead along the strip which borders the channel adjacent to the home.
According to McCrosson, “When I did the title search I found one of the Lake brothers [original Methodist founders of Ocean City] in 1907 transferred the property to a private company but after that nothing is clear and it seems that company went out of business. It does not appear that anyone currently owns the land.”
McCrosson also explained that the property owner intends to pay the $56,250 needed to replace the bulkhead, and would also have to pay separate permitting and engineering fees. McCrosson said the city’s tax assessor estimated the strip could be worth around $20,000.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.