OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.NET
NOVEMBER 20, 2015
SPORTS
READY FOR NATIONALS Berlin junior peewee Pop Warner cheerleaders to compete on Dec. 7 in Disney World– Page 31
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
IN THE TUBE
FREE
STEWART DOBSON/OCEAN CITY TODAY
It wasn’t warm enough to go in without a wet suit, but it was still nice enough for this unidentified surfer to work the good surf conditions last Friday on the beach in midtown Ocean City. Even though the waves weren’t huge, they were decent enough for him to tuck into the small barrel that it presented on the way to shore.
Royalton plans to rebuild get PZ approval
Proposed state regs affect pier setbacks
Next door condo owners to have some say over project
County sees problems with recommendation to raise dock height requirement
By Zack Hoopes Staff Writer (Nov. 20, 2015) The Ocean City Planning Commission this week approved plans to rebuild the Royalton Hotel after previously requesting several design changes. The hotel on 11th Street and the Boardwalk will be razed and rebuilt with an almost identical design, although slightly larger. The current hotel has 38 rooms and five employee-housing units, plus Boardwalk-level commercial space, whereas the new building will have 55 rooms and two employee apartments. Changes requested by the com-
FILE PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY
The Royalton: down with the old and up with the new.
mission two weeks ago were addressed. The porte cochere entrance area on the west side of the building was lengthened to allow more vehicles access from the alley. “Probably you’ll get at least two spots off Washington Lane [the alley],” said city Zoning Administrator R. Blaine Smith. “Further north on the building, you could probably See HOTEL on Page 4
FALL TUNE-UP only
89
$
By Brian Gilliland Staff Writer (Nov. 20, 2015) While questioning the use of the word “update’” because of the volume and scope of the Maryland Department of the Environment’s proposed pier regulations, county Environmental Services Director Bob Mitchell informed the county commissioners Tuesday of several changes that could have a serious impact on residents. While the commissioners were aware of a proposed update – the last changes were made in 1994 according to Mitchell – the scope of the suggested changes go beyond simple
tweaks. Two weeks ago, the commissioners asked for a review of the changes ahead of a Nov. 16 meeting held by the state to solicit opinions from other jurisdictions. The review was made public this week and was comprised of both pre- and post-meeting feedback from county staff. Of concern, Mitchell said, is a change to setbacks. Because of how the regulation is worded – “A minimum of 10 feet setoff of the extended lateral lines, whichever is greater” – it could be interpreted to mean the state would require a 10-foot setoff instead of the county’s required 6 feet. Also, some areas in Ocean City, such as Montego Bay, require zero setoffs. See COUNTY on Page 4
MARC ANTHONY HOME SERVICES CENTRAL HVAC SYSTEMS
STARTING AT
$2999!
0% Financing for 1 year!
CALL NOW! 888-353-4050 • www.marcanthonyservices.com
DRYER VENT & DUCT CLEANING SPECIALS