Ocean City Today
PAGE 6
Residential districts kept free from new cell towers
Education Through Inspiration
Councilman Hartman asks mobile company to think of homeowner moving forward
Open House 9:00 a.m. February 1, 2017 and March 8, 2017
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By Katie Tabeling Staff Writer (Jan. 13, 2017) Communications company Crown Castle has struck a deal with Ocean City, and no new cell poles will be installed in singlefamily residential (R-1) or mobile home (M-H) districts at this time. City Engineer Terry McGean informed the City Council during Tuesday’s work session that mobile operator who was interested in improving the resort’s Internet accessibility had submitted a written agreement to that effect. “Based on that and a revised statement of their location and a commitment to abide by guidelines, we are suggesting to move forward under other conditions,” McGean said. Last year, the council opposed Crown Castle’s plans to install 90 antenna systems throughout the island because they would encroach on residents’ property. Although city staff and officials disagreed with the placement of the poles, they did understand the need to keep up with technology demands of its visitors. Crown Castle also had the advantage of being named a public utility, which gave them the legal authority to install in public rights-of-way. But that meant the company needed to negotiate with the city instead of property owners. In the end, the mobile operator agreed to guidelines set by the Plan-
ning and Zoning Commission and the council. Under these guidelines, no new poles can be erected in R-1 or M-H districts. Antennas can be permitted in medium residential (R-2), general residential district (R-3) and moderate residential (R-3A) zones, if it replaces an existing light pole. In that case, the poles must be the same height in R-2 districts. In R-3 and R-3A, poles could be 50 feet or maximum allowed by zoning. All other zones with existing underground utilities prohibit new poles or antennas, and replacement of existing light pole is preferred. McGean also told the council that other conditions mandated that if there were utility pole replacements needed, those replacements would be metal or fiberglass to reduce footprint in sidewalk. Crown Castle would also pay Ocean City five percent of its gross revenue, estimated to be $300,000 over the next 10 years. Under the new terms, that number could be adjusted if the revenue increased. Councilman Wayne Hartman addressed a handful of Crown Castle representatives at the meeting and expressed his hopes for the project moving forward. “I hope moving forward in installation they take a more proactive approach in cleaning up [than in the past] and that not every installation would be cookie cutter,” Hartman said. “Take into consideration the ocean view. People bought those properties for a reason.” With that said, the council unanimously approved the right-of-wayagreement with Crown Castle.
Southern Worcester hit with 10 inches; gov’t offices open Continued from Page 5 sources and Public Works Director Jane Kreiter, the town got about 10 inches of snow. Town government offices in Snow Hill and Pocomoke were also open on Monday, although some offices in Ocean Pines were apparently closed. Pocomoke City Manager Ernie Crofoot said there were no incidents there and that offices opened normally on Monday. A city council meeting there would also run as scheduled on Monday evening. Crofoot did not have snowfall totals as of press time. Snow Hill Economic Development Director Michael Day estimated the town received more than 10 inches of snow. Ocean Pines Public Works Director Eddie Wells reported 12 inches of snow across the community and said crews were working to clean up areas
they had calls on as of Monday. “The main roads have been salted, now we just need warmer temperatures and the sun to shine,” Wells said. Before the storm, Ocean Pines workers installed “snow salt spreaders and plows” on public works trucks and started preparing staging equipment as of Friday. Plowing there is triggered by three or more inches of snowfall “or when conditions warrant.” According to a press release from Marketing and Communications Director Denise Sawyer, Ocean Pines uses “a seven-truck system, plowing all streets to make sure that all roads are passable for emergency vehicles.” “After precipitation stops, all intersections and side streets will be widened. Cul-de-sacs will be done after roads are completed,” Sawyer said in the release.