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AUGUST 11, 2023
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WHITE MARLIN KNOCK OPEN UPDATE OUT More than $10.5 million Stephen Decatur up for grabs; nodown billfish Seahawks take boated as ofNorth Thursday undefeated Caromorning - Page line – Page 47 66
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Hundred of boats are traveling through the Ocean City inlet this week for the White Marlin Open. Pictured are three of those vessels heading west on their way to the Harbour Island scales on Monday.
Hooper’s fire fails to slow staff First phase Kitchen blaze breaks out while restaurant packed with Friday night patrons By Remy Andersen Staff Writer (Aug. 11, 2023) The management and staff at Hooper’s Crab House at the foot of the Route 50 bridge in West Ocean City are feeling grateful after a fire that broke out in the restaurant last week was quickly extinguished and they were back at work the following day. The fire was noticed at around 7:32 p.m. on Aug. 3, with fire crews arriving at around 7:40. A press release from the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office said the source of
the fire was in one of the kitchen walls, behind a kitchen appliance. “Because it started from the wall, it took longer to find the root cause of the fire,” said kitchen manager Charlie MacEwan. “The fire was coming from the exhaust from one of the deep fryers.” The restaurant, which seats approximately 500 people, was at full capacity when the fire broke out. “We were able to handle (the evacuation) calmly,” said manager Michele Dunn. “Everyone was able to get out quickly and safely, and nobody got too excited.” Hooper’s owner, Royette Shepherd, orchestrated the evacuation, with the overhead announcer system being employed so all of the restau-
rant patrons could be alerted of the situation. Hooper’s was originally scheduled to close for a few days after the fire. However, according to a Facebook post from Hooper’s, the restaurant was ready to reopen a day later. “Thanks to the unwavering dedication of our local heroes in red and the tireless effort of our incredible staff, we have successfully overcome the challenges posed by the recent fire. Your support and encouragement have been the driving force behind our swift recovery, and we are immensely grateful for it,” the post read. “The Ocean City Fire Department was able to arrive in 15 to 20 minutes,” Dunn said. “The contractors See HOOPER’S Page 8
in Mailloux case Aug. 18 By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Aug. 11, 2023) Tyler Mailloux, the 23-year-old Berlin resident who has been charged as the driver in the hitand-run accident that killed 14-yearold Gavin Knupp of Ocean Pines, has a motions hearing in Worcester County Circuit Court next Friday. In the months since courts scheduled the trial and hearings on May 17, prosecution and defense have filed a slew of motions concerning discovery, expert witnesses, requests for See MAILLOUX Page 8
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AUGUST 11, 2023
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Commission schedules code changes for public hearing By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Aug. 11, 2023) The public will get its chance to comment on the Ocean City Planning and Zoning Commission’s proposed off-street parking regulations at an Oct. 3 hearing, following the commission’s decision Tuesday to proceed with that and one other proposed zoning code amendment. The other matter to be discussed at that hearing concerns the definition of habitable attics and dormers. After the hearing, the commission will weigh the public comment and then vote on whether to forward changes to City Council with favorable recommendations. Bill Neville, director of planning and community development for Ocean City, presented the code amendment draft to commission members. One potential change for off-street parking would raise the requirements for multi-family homes and townhouses from providing two-and-ahalf parking spaces per three bedroom unit, to three spaces. “That’s a change we may get comment on,” Neville said. “It was a concern that there wasn’t enough off-street parking and that’s where the idea of upping the standard came from.” Another change would affect situations when more than two spaces are required. In that instance, one would have to be unenclosed, so room for guest parking is available, Neville said. Included in that proposed amendment would be a clarification that parking spaces must not
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Ocean City Today
be used for storage. The draft would also create a standard to identify how wide a parking area in a garage must be depending on how many spaces it holds. A onecar garage parking space must be 12 feet wide, a two-car garage must provide 23 feet and a three car garage must have 34 feet of parking space. All space depths would be 22 feet. Amendments add that interior drive aisles serving garages spaces must have a 90-degree angle of parking, and it must be 20 feet wide. Neville told commissioners they created a clause that states if parking is only used to meet requirements, builders must create a 132-squarefoot storage area on ground level of the residence. Commission member Joel Brous worried that if the space requirement was met by attaching a storage shed to the side of a residence it could be an eyesore. Commission member Palmer Gillis, a builder and developer, said he loved the draft, but recommended they add a required five-foot apron in front of each garage door. “I think this is unbelievably awesome, and I think it really goes a long way to address what I have seen, and witnessed, and photographed, and photographed, and photographed, and talked about for two or three years, and I think that everything you’ve written in here is what I would suggest or hope to present to a public hearing,” Gillis said. Gillis said that the Sunset Island Community off of bayside 67th Street had created an efficient parking deSee POTENTIAL Page 6
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