OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.COM
DECEMBER 1, 2023
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
CHRISTMAS OCEAN CITY PARADE
Holiday event set 11 a.m., Sat., and runs from Old Landing Road to 120th Street – Page 27
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Student book access debate goes on School board sees options, but none completely satisfy all parties to discussion By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Dec. 1, 2023) With calls coming in objecting to the presence of certain books in school libraries, members of the Worcester County Board of Education last Tuesday floated the idea of using some of their shelves to create
“older-teen” sections that would limit younger students’ access. Near the end of the board meeting, board member Jon Andes (and former Worcester schools superintendent) proposed that staff might be able to create a system where the school system’s media specialists curate an older-teen collection that students would have access to with a parent’s permission. Andes asked the board members to consider his suggestion before the board’s December meet-
ing. “Please, board and staff, consider that type of policy to implement and try it for two years and see if it works out, then whatever board exists then can renew or adjust it, but we need two years to test it and see if it works,” Andes said. Denise Shorts, chief academic officer for grades PreK - eight, asked members to look over the school system’s book-review-procedure manual and suggested that school content ex-
perts could appear before the board at the next meeting. Board member Elaina McComas said county schools already have an opt-out system that allows parents to restrict what their children can check out from school libraries. She said the opt-in system seems much easier. The school libraries’ check-out and catalog system could be used to flag the books a student’s parent or guardian has not authorized them to See VARYING Page 4
City saves more for rainy day(s) With millions in extra cash, City Council builds cushion against uncertain future
HUNTER HINE/OCEAN CITY TODAY
BUILDING UP
Construction crews work on the Ocean City Fire Department’s new Fire Station 3 in front of the public safety complex on 65th Street. The project broke ground in March and is on track for completion at the end of next summer. See story on page 10.
By Mallory Panuska Managing Editor (Dec. 1, 2023) From padding the pension fund to paying for a sizable jump in radio maintenance fees, a chunk of Ocean City’s Fiscal Year 2023 reserves will be used to ensure the resort’s financial situation stays healthy for the foreseeable future. “We believe these [recommendations] are the prudent course of action,” City Manager Terry McGean said Tuesday during a City Council work session, referring to a series of suggestions for nearly $7 million in unassigned funds. “Ocean City is a tourist-based economy,” he continued. “And just as our business community has learned, when times are good, we should save for the occasion when times are bad.” Upon McGean’s request, City Council members unanimously voted See UNEXPECTED Page 3
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DECEMBER 1, 2023
Ocean City Today
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Ocean City Today
PHOTOS COURTESY TOWN OF OCEAN CITY
A pie chart shows the city’s unassigned fund balance, including nearly $10 million in unassigned revenues, before council members voted to distribute nearly $7 million of it to reserves and other funds.
A pie chart shows the city fund balance after council members voted to distribute nearly $7 million in unassigned revenues to reserves and other funds.
Unexpected revenue helps in uncertain times Continued from Page 1 to add $2.5 million to the pension reserve fund, $400,000 to salary reserves for anticipated cost-of-living adjustments, $3 million to the capital reserve fund to cover upcoming highpriority infrastructure projects, $350,000 to the risk retention fund to set off liability claims, and about $684,000 to the vehicle trust fund to cover impending increases in radio maintenance fees in Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026. During a presentation to council members in mid-November, Finance Director Chuck Bireley said the city’s unassigned fund balance went from 30.4 percent of the general fund expenses in fiscal 2022 to 32.5 percent in fiscal 2023. The change reflected about $6.1 million in unexpected revenue, which McGean said Tuesday came from
higher-than-expected room taxes, interest on investments, and lower-thanexpected public safety supplies and equipment costs. The money was added to the city’s existing unassigned fund balance, which is basically leftover cash that has not been assigned a use. In the financial report presented last month, the city’s total fund balance for last fiscal year came out to more than $31.67 million. Of the total, 17 percent, which came out to more than $18.38 million, is required to be set aside in a reserve fund. Council members changed the requirement from 15 to 17 percent during budget talks last year and McGean said Tuesday that staff are happy with the amount. Other allocations for the balance consisted of nearly $800,000 for the Ocean City Development Corporation’s parking fund, $1.5 million to the
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capital reserve fund for projects, and a little over a million for a fire apparatus. With that, a total nearly $10 million in unassigned funds were left, which prompted McGean’s recommendations for all but a little more than $3 million. He said the decision to invest money in areas that could see increases in expenses was smart, as it provides a cushion if the resort’s financial situation changes.
“We are currently living in uncertain times,” McGean said. “Inflation remains a problem and market returns continue to negatively affect the pension funds. Our increased reliance on variable revenue sources cannot be ignored. We are already seeing a decline in some of these revenues compared to FY 23. And all it takes is a few rainy weekends to put us in the red.” See OC’s Page 4
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DECEMBER 1, 2023
Ocean City Today
Varying opinions over opt-in teen book policy Continued from Page 1 read, said board member William Buchanan. Before Andes’ suggestion, board member Katie Addis proposed a change to school policy that would allow all Worcester County residents to file formal complaints about books in schools, rather than only parents of students. The definition of “complainants” in the school policy section that covers library and media procedures for challenged books only includes parents, guardians, students or Worcester County Public Schools employees, Addis said. “With the current definition of ‘complainant’ we are leaving out the largest group in our county who needs to have a voice and that’s the stakeholders of Worcester County,” Addis said. Addis made a motion to add “residents of Worcester County” to the definition of “complainant,” but the board decided to table the motion until a later meeting so members had time to think about the revision. Addis raised the suggestion following a legal update from the school system’s attorney Heather Stansbury regarding past comments from public speakers who suggested that Maryland’s criminal law could apply to sexually explicit books in schools. During the public comments of previous school board meetings, and at the earlier part of the Nov. 21 meeting, speakers claimed that a Maryland law that criminalizes the display of obscene material to minors might apply to books depicting what they consider sexually explicit content in schools. Stansbury said the board asked her to examine two sections of Maryland’s criminal law article that covered adult sexual displays to minors and the sale or display of obscene items to minors. She said that based on her analysis, the two statutes are not relevant to the consideration of taking books out of school libraries. Stansbury said the best practice is to have a book policy for the school
HUNTER HINE/OCEAN CITY TODAY
The Worcester County Board of Education floated an idea for a new system to give parents control over what books their children check out in school. Pictured is “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson, posed on a shelf at the Ocean Pines Public Library. It’s one book that some residents have asked the board to remove from schools.
system and follow it, and that the ultimate decision to remove a book falls on the board of education. “When making those considerations, they must consider and remember the case law, that it does exist absent of a state law on this specific subject,” Stansbury said. “We must remember the state law, or the federal, relevant to the removal of books.” Stansbury said the board asked for her legal analysis of the issue many months ago, and that it was not a response to concerns about books that were discussed earlier in the meeting. Pat Barbely, a resident who has raised concerns about “sexually explicit” books in schools at previous board meetings, said at last Tuesday’s meeting that the book “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” by George M. Johnson, graphically details incest, sexual assault and masturbation. Barbely accused the book of normalizing and minimizing things like rape. “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” is a memoir of the author’s childhood into his early adult years, according to Goodreads.com. “The child is then in an incestuous
relationship with his cousin, which propels him into numerous sexual encounters, all of which is graphically detailed in the book,” Barbely said. County resident Kate McCloskey said she has counted over 65 books in school libraries with “sexually explicit” content. “I’m talking hard-core sexually explicit material. Many of us are not wanting to stand for this,” McCloskey said. Grant Helvey, of Ocean Pines, said it’s perfectly okay to keep all books in public libraries and to keep any books in your home, but it’s not okay to put any book in school libraries. “You do not have a right to provide access for other people’s children for purposes of indoctrination. That’s their family business,” Helvey said Lorraine Barrett, of Girdletree, told the board that one book, called “The V-Word,” was available in Snow Hill Middle School. Barrett said she had planned on reading from the book at the meeting to make a point, but with depictions of things like oral sex, she thought it would be too inappropriate for the meeting. (The county school system’s coor-
dinator of public information, Carrie Sterrs, disputed that assertion on Wednesday, saying in an email, “The V-Word” is not and has never been on the shelves at Snow Hill Middle School.”). Tom Simon, of Berlin, rebutted the calls to remove books, asking the school board to listen to “the actual parents of students in schools” and not the “vocal minority.” “I am concerned with the non-inclusive agendas being pushed at these meetings by members of the public. The only people trying to indoctrinate our kids are people that are spouting this hateful rhetoric,” Simon said. The final person to speak during public comments was Treston Melvin, the board of education student representative for Pocomoke High School. Melvin said they were “sick and tired” of hearing people come to speak about indoctrination in schools and urged the board of education to fight for students. Melvin said some of the speakers were hateful, and do not want what is best for the students. “I am a student and I am a human, and I was sexually assaulted at 15 years old, and ‘All Boys Aren’t Blue’ — that book, to see someone who was like me — that saved my life,” Melvin said.
OC’s bond rating recently went up Continued from Page 3 McGean also said the recommendations he made for the money helps keep the city’s bond rating up. Credit rating agency Moody’s Investors Service recently increased the rating from Aa2 to Aa1, which McGean said was based primarily on the amount of money in reserves. “A decline in reserves could lead to credit downgrade,” he explained. “A healthy bond rating reduces our borrowing costs and allows us to invest more in our infrastructure instead of paying higher interest rates.”
DECEMBER 1, 2023
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Ocean City Today
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#1 LISTING AGENT FOR COLDWELL BANKER REALTY MID ATLANTIC REGION MID-TOWN 3BR/3.5 BA RIVENDELL CONDOMINIUM with WATER VIEWS! Stunning three-bedroom 3.5 bath condo at the Rivendell hits the market! This beautiful condo is being sold furnished and it's ready for your immediate enjoyment. You’ll be mesmerized by the waterfront views. You can actually watch both the sunrise and the sunset without ever leaving this condo. The kitchen is sure to delight 121 81ST STREET UNIT 706 the chef in your family with its OCEAN CITY • $815,000 granite countertops, custom cabinets and plenty of workspace. Off the kitchen is the family room and dining area where you will enjoy family meals and make memories that last a lifetime. The family room is great for entertaining and has a gas fireplace for chilly times in fall and winter. There’s also a wet bar for relaxing and having cocktails with friends. You can see the Ocean and Bay from the primary bedroom suite and the primary bath is luxurious with a tile Jacuzzi tub, shower and double vanities. The other two bedrooms are spacious as well and each have their own en suite bathroom. There is also a half bath off the family room. There’s a separate laundry room with washer and dryer and plenty of storage. Privacy is ensured with good separation between the primary bedroom and the other two bedrooms. There are large balconies where you can enjoy your morning coffee and a cold drink in the evening. The Rivendell has an indoor pool, outdoor pool and a fitness center, and the Hobbit restaurant is located in the building as well. This condo is located in Midtown on 81st St. and there is a traffic light at the intersection so crossing the street is very easy. There are plenty of stores, restaurants and shops in the area. There is a parking garage and secure access to the building. Come take a look today and make this beautiful property yours. This is a non-rental building so you will make friends and know your neighbors. MLS MDWO2017698
WATERFRONT WITH BOAT SLIP 2.03 ACRES! Breathtaking 5BR/4.5BA waterfront estate on 2+ acres is coming soon! If you are looking for an incredible home on a beautiful piece of property with breathtaking views overlooking Assateague Island, look no further. This home boasts 6,482 sq.ft. of luxury. The family room over11602 S. HILLS DRIVE • BERLIN MD looks the water with $1,674,900 soaring ceilings and a beautiful custom fireplace. The chef's kitchen is amazing, with lots of room for prepping food and enjoying home cooked meals, and the spacious breakfast area is off the kitchen and provides plenty of room for family and friends. The kitchen has lovely granite countertops, a butler's pantry, mini bar, and plenty of cabinets for storage. This home also has a formal dining room and formal living room, perfect gathering space for everyone to enjoy for years to come. The large primary bedroom suite is on the first floor with beautiful views overlooking the water. There are hardwood floors throughout the home. On the second floor you will find four additional spacious bedrooms and three baths, and a home theater/game room. There is also an additional room over the garage with a full bath. Off the back of the home there is a 40'x12' brick patio facing the water, which is perfect for outdoor dining and grilling. This home also comes with a Community Dock area with assigned boat slips. Slip number three is the owners. If you’re tired of the hustle and bustle, but you still want to be close to Ocean City, golf courses, and everything Assateague Island has to offer, this is the perfect home for you. Come take a tour today, put your finishing touches on it, and turn your dream of owning a Waterfront estate into reality. Your family and friends are sure to make memories that last a lifetime here. Come see for yourself. Schedule your showing today and consider making this dream home yours. MLS MDWO2015282
DIRECT BAYFRONT OCEAN CITY! Luxury 5BR/6BA/2HBA Bayfront home with pool hits the market! This luxury home has 145 feet of water frontage with direct bay views and offers southern exposure. As you walk in the front door of this lovely home you will immediately fall in love with the attention to details and upgrades throughout. An elegant foyer with marble flooring greets you as you 733 BRADLEY ROAD • OCEAN CITY enter with your eyes drawn to the $3,200,000 beautiful Bayfront views and the swimming pool in the courtyard. On the first level you will find a kitchen designed for access in and out to the pool area with plenty of seating and room for entertaining family and friends. Also on the first floor, you will find a Bay front office or playroom for the kids. This home is complete with a home elevator so either take the spiraling stairs to the second level or take the elevator up to the second level.You will be mesmerized by the amazing Bayfront views and endless sunsets this home offers. There are 6 decks off the home for privacy. On the second level you will find a professional chef’s kitchen complete with large center island, high end appliances and plenty of cabinet space adjoining a beautiful, spacious dining room overlooking the bay. The family room is also complete with a gas fireplace for chilly winter nights, making this the perfect home for year-round living or a vacation home. Also, on this floor, you will find a second office, home theater room, or game room. On the third level you will enjoy waking up to the endless water views from your primary bedroom. The primary bath has custom finishes throughout with extensive tile work. The primary bedroom also has a fireplace for romantic evenings and relaxing. Also on this floor are three additional bedrooms, which are spacious and separated nicely from the primary bedroom. This home is over 6000 ft.² and is one of the few Bayfront homes available on the market. So, if you’re looking for a home at the beach, also offering all the thrill of the day with attention to detail look no further. Come take a look at 733 Bradley Rd. today before it’s sold! MDWO2014714
HERON HARBOUR ISLE HOME WITH BOAT SLIP This single-family 4BR/4.5BA home with deeded boat slip is located in the sought after community of Heron Harbour Isle. This beautiful home has an open floor plan with a spacious family room with a 2-story stone fireplace. The family room flows into the kitchen which has plenty of cabinet space, a center island, breakfast bar and additional storage. Off the kitchen is the dining area where you will love having meals with your family and friends. Off the family room and dining area there is a screened-in porch, perfect for relaxing and enjoying morning coffee. Off the screened304 S. HERON GULL COURT in porch is a deck with a barbecue grill for crab OCEAN CITY • $1,499,900 feasts and grilling your favorites. Also on the first level of this home is the spacious primary bedroom with walk-in closets and a large bathroom with shower and soaking tub. There’s also a study on the first floor making remote work possible in a nice quiet area. The first level also has another full bath, laundry room and a half bath. On the second level there are three additional bedrooms and two more full baths. This home has lots of room for everyone to visit and there’s also a bonus room over the garage which could be used as a fifth bedroom or game room. The home also has a wrap-around porch, two-car garage and a deeded boat slip. The seller belongs to the Heron Harbour recreation association, which has tennis courts, indoor heated pool, fitness center, sauna, Olympic size outdoor pool, and a kiddie pool. The home is located very close to restaurants, shopping, and the beach. Come take a look today. This home is being offered partially furnished and is ready for your immediate enjoyment. MDW02015676
OCEAN MID-TOWN CONDO OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 10AM-NOON
OCEAN 2 BR/2BA CONDO OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 1-3PM
Professional photos to follow: Come take a look at this spacious 1BR/1BA Ocean Block beauty! This one-bedroom unit is over 700 sq. ft. and is on the ocean block side of coastal highway. This is an elevated building so there's a very nice view from the large deck off the family room. This is your chance to own a slice of Ocean City 7704 COASTAL HWY #102 and make memories that will last a OCEAN CITY • $310,000 lifetime. As you walk in the front door, you’ll be welcomed by the beautiful dining area and kitchen. The family room flows off the kitchen and provides plenty of room for entertaining. There is a large balcony off the family room with access by a glass slider. The bedroom is very large and can accommodate two queen beds. There is one full bath as well. This condo located midtown Ocean City, close to plenty of restaurants, shops, and attractions. Come take a look today and own your slice of Ocean City. This building is professionally managed and has low condo fees. The condo is being sold fully furnished and is ready for your immediate enjoyment. MDWO2015968
Stunning 2BR/2BA condo one back from the beach hits the market! This condo is located on 66th street in an ocean block building. The sellers have made many recent upgrades, installing luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout, new microwave, new refrigerator, new stove, new dishwasher, new exterior HVAC unit, toilets and kitchen faucet within the last three years. The decks also were tiled in 2019 and the glass sliders leading to the deck were also replaced within the last five years. This would make a great second home or investment property and is being sold fully furnished and ready for your immediate enjoyment. This 1 66TH ST UNIT 101 is one of the best values at the beach - fully furnished and OCEAN CITY • $499,900 only one back from the ocean. As you walk through the front door, you will see an inviting living room for entertaining family and friends. There is a dining area off the kitchen with glass sliders leading to a huge covered deck with recently tiled floor. You can hear the waves break from the deck. This is a first floor unit but it's an elevated building so the height off the street is equivalent to a second floor unit. This condo has two large bedrooms and two full baths so there's plenty of room for family and friends. The condo is in walking distance to many restaurants, stores, shops and a supermarket, so once you're here you don’t have to move your car, but the condo is conveniently located to the route 90 bridge, making coming and going a joy. Come take a look today before this amazing property is sold. This condo association is well managed by Mann Properties. MLS MDWO2016172
RESIDENTIAL LOT
COMMERCIAL
COMMERCIAL
WATERSIDE DRIVE BERLIN • $475,000 Are you looking to build your dream home? Look no further than this beautiful residential lot in the community of South Point Farms. This beautiful building lot is in a prime location on the corner with beautiful bay views. The lot is approximately 2.76 acres and it’s located off 611 in Berlin Maryland. At the entrance of South Point Farms is a public boat ramp and public pier with water access for boating fishing, crabbing, paddle boarding, and kayaking. If you are looking for a peaceful, tranquil location with unbelievable Bay views this is the prime spot. There are multiple world-class golf courses close by and Assateague National and State Park as well for days on the beach. No builder tie in required. Come take a look today and enjoy the good life on South Point Farms! MDWO2014122 WATERFRONT DREAM HOME
310 S. HERON GULL CT OCEAN CITY • $2,499,900 This single-family 4BR/4.5BA home with deeded boat slip is located in the sought after community of Heron Harbour Isle. This beautiful home has an open floor plan with a spacious family room with a 2-story stone fireplace. The family room flows into the kitchen which has plenty of cabinet space, a center island, breakfast bar and additional storage. Off the kitchen is the dining area where you will love having meals with your family and friends. Off the family room and dining area there is a screened-in porch, perfect for relaxing and enjoying morning coffee. Off the screened-in porch is a deck with a barbecue grill for crab feasts and grilling your favorites. Also on the first level of this home is the spacious primary bedroom with walk-in closets and a large bathroom with shower and soaking tub. There’s also a study on the first floor making remote work possible in a nice quiet area. The first level also has another full bath, laundry room and a half bath. On the second level there are three additional bedrooms and two more full baths. This home has lots of room for everyone to visit and there’s also a bonus room over the garage which could be used as a fifth bedroom or game room. The home also has a wrap-around porch, two-car garage and a deeded boat slip. The seller belongs to the Heron Harbour recreation association, which has tennis courts, indoor heated pool, fitness center, sauna, Olympic size outdoor pool, and a kiddie pool. The home is located very close to restaurants, shopping, and the beach. Come take a look today. This home is being offered partially furnished and is ready for your immediate enjoyment. MDW02015676
34862 WEST LINE RD SELBYVILLE, DE • $2,500,000 Commercial Site in Prime Location hits the Market! 2.36 acres on the corner of RT 54 and W. Line Rd in Selbyville DE. This location is directly across from Yellowfins Restaurant and shopping center on heavily traveled Rt 54. The location is approximately 3-4 miles to the beaches of Ocean City & Fenwick Island. It has water and 8' sewer main that will supply a hotel, shopping center, office complex, medical center, professional center, etc. Lot is cleared. Buy it Now Before It's SOLD!!! Owner Financing is available. MLS DESU184528
SINGLE FAMILY HOME
4111 FIESTA RD OCEAN CITY • $739,900 Stunning 4BR/3BA coastal home with garage in North Ocean City has just been listed! This home is located six blocks from the beach and across the street from Fiesta Park, which has walking trails and a pavilion. After walking through a gracious covered front porch, you are welcomed into this fabulous home. The first level of this beautiful home has two spacious bedrooms, one full bath and a den/study area perfect for working remotely from home. Beautiful hardwood floors lead to the second level where you will find a gourmet kitchen with granite countertops and stainlesssteel appliances. There is a bright and airy dining room directly off the kitchen where you will enjoy making family meals and memories that last a lifetime. Adjoining the kitchen and dining room is a spacious family room with impressive cathedral ceilings. The second level also has the primary bedroom and the primary bath with shower and soaking tub. The second level also has a 12x16 composite deck with vinyl railings. On the third level you’ll find the fourth bedroom and another full bath. The fenced back and side yards have lots of grass for the dogs and kids to play. There is also a patio and grilling area. The home is being sold furnished and ready for your immediate enjoyment. The home also has a garage and multiple additional parking spaces and street parking. Come take a look at this very rare find before it’s sold! MDW02016242
LAND
1303 MCHENRY COURT BERLIN • $120,000 Why not build? There's nothing like building the house of your dreams! Large cul-de-sac (11,566 Sqft.) home site in the very desirable Colonial Village location in Ocean Pines. Close to the Yacht Club, Yacht club pool and marina and Mumford's Landing Pool, and located only a few miles from Ocean City’s famous beaches. Ocean Pines is an amenity rich community w/restaurants, shops, tennis, recreational facilities, golf, ball fields, pickleball courts, basketball court, playground, 12 parks, 6 trails, indoor and outdoor pools, 2 marinas, beachfront beach club at 49th Street in Ocean City, and the farmer's market. There is also police protection, fire protection and excellent management. MLS MDWO2008616
32474 LIGHTHOUSE RD SELBYVILLE, DE • $4,500,000 Prime commercial location in Selbyville of 10.09 acres. This is a rare commercial development opportunity on the busy intersection of Lighthouse Sound Rd. (Route 54) and Hudson Rd. There are already many existing new homes surrounding this property and more than 3,200 additional homes are coming soon. This is the perfect location for a shopping center, multiple smaller retail businesses, and/or medical or other professional offices to serve these homes and the entire Selbyville, Bayside, Fenwick, Ocean City area. The Seller will finance up to 70% of the purchase price at 1 percent below the current prime lending rate for up to 5 years. The property is located 8 miles from the beach! DESU2044978
THIS HOME IS A SHOW-STOPPER!
10615 POINT LOOKOUT RD OCEAN CITY • $5,599,900 JUST REDUCED! $4,899,900 Custom 6BR/6BA/3HBA/ new construction west facing bayfront estate designed and built by David Bradley of Bradley Construction w/ views of both Assawoman Bay and skyline from the property’s L-shaped pool and swim-up bar. Features exceptional craftsmanship w/astute attention to detail, custom finishes/woodwork, and architectural details. A welcoming orange crush bar made w/Port Rush quartz and 1st-floor Den/bedroom ensuite complete w/Murphy bed. Expansive family room has a wall of windows and glass sliders overlooking the bay. Gourmet chef's kitchen just off family room includes plenty of bar seating w/endless bay views. Kitchen boasts GE monogram ss appliances including 6-burner gas range, expansive center island, custom farm sink, w/vegetable sink, hone marble and quartz countertops. White custom Fabuwood cabinets w/undercounter lighting, appliance garages and custom pull outs for easy storage. Floating shelves in kitchen made w/reclaimed wood, and a designer tile backsplash. An expansive butler’s pantry, mud room w/custom shelving, laundry room, half bath on the main floor. White oak stairs, and custom-made glass elevator. 2nd floor spacious ensuite Bayfront bedrooms, each w/its own private balcony. A 4th ensuite bedroom which has been designed as a bunk room w/custom bunk and trundle bed complete w/a port hole. A coffee bar, refrigerator, and full-size laundry on 2nd floor. 3rd floor primary bedroom ensuite w/bay views, cathedral ceilings, turret cupola, coffee bar, fireplace, exquisite tile work, two enormous closets w/wood detailing and shiplap, and expansive covered porch. Primary bath has insulated tub w/jets and faces the bay w/a 6’x6’ circular Anderson window. Bonus room w/soaring ceilings and cupola; separate refrigerator, bar seating, a private deck, half bath, and laundry. A saltwater pool and spa, cabana area complete w/2 outdoor TVs, 2 refrigerators, custom cabinetry/countertops, fire pit area, permits for three lifts and a transient boat, a 50ft pier, dock and ramp. Parking for 6 cars. MLS MDWO2012190
COMMERCIAL
TAXID 533-17.00-156.07
S ROUTE 54 • SELBYVILLE, DE $890,000 Commercial land 3.94-acre prime location served by water and sewer from Selbyville. This land is across from the new development of Coastal Villages. 1,000 feet of road frontage. Also available for sale is Tax ID 533-17.00-156.04 which has 7.29 acres for $490,000 (MLS- DESU2028756) this has a density of 16 lots. Both pieces are served by water and sewer in Selbyville. OWNER FINANCING IS AVAILABLE! Come take a look today before it's SOLD! MLS DESU2028754
THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING? LET'S CONNECT TO BEGIN THE PROCESS TODAY! The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate 2023 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2015 a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International and the Previews logo are registered and unregistered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. 10771BALT_07/15
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DECEMBER 1, 2023
Ocean City Today
Mini-golf course advances; parking code discussed By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Dec. 1, 2023) The Ocean City Planning Commission recommended a conditional use application for a proposed mini-golf course to the City Council and received briefing on the council’s rejection of their proposed parking amendments at the commission’s meeting last Tuesday. The owner of the Embers Island mini-golf course on 23rd Street received favorable approval from the planning commission for a conditional use application to build a new course at the Montego Bay Shopping Center near 128th Street. Jay Taustin, who also owns the Embers Restaurant next to his current mini-golf course, is proposing to build the 18-hole course on an empty lot in the shopping center’s parking area, which is zoned as a SC-1 Shopping Center district. Now the conditional use application will go to the Ocean City Council for a vote, and, if passed, Taustin will return to the planning commission for site plan approval. Planning staff recommended that commissioners grant approval for the See PLANNING Page 7
The Ocean City Planning Commission gave favorable approval to a conditional use application for an 18-hole mini-golf course that’s proposed at the Montego Bay Shopping Center. Pictured are tentative plans for the course’s layout. PHOTO COURTESY FISHER ARCHITECTURE
FILE PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY
The Ocean City Life-Saving Museum on the Boardwalk near the inlet.
Holiday open house on Sunday (Dec. 1, 2023) The Ocean City Life Saving-Station Museum is hosting its annual Holiday Open House this Sunday. According to a news release, the free event is set from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 3, at the museum at 813 S. Atlantic Ave. downtown. There will be a variety of activities throughout the day to get local families in the holiday spirit. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., local author Mermaid Tasha will be hosting a book signing and reading. Two of her books will be available to buy
from the museum store. From 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., musical group The Jolly Tars will be performing sea shanties and sailor lore. A craft table will also be set up for attendees to make free sand ornaments and samples of sweet snacks will be available. Attendees can also hunt for artifacts throughout the museum in the Artifact Scavenger Hunt. The store will be offering 20 percent off entire purchases as well. More information can be found on the museum’s website, ocmuseum.org.
DECEMBER 1, 2023
PAGE 7
Ocean City Today
Planning comm. upset with code amendment rejection to lighting as well. Continued from Page 6 proposed project and send it to the Taustin said in all of his 22 years council. running the existing 23rd Street Em“It is a really good entertainment bers course, he has had no comvenue and [attracts] lots of tourists plaints regarding noise or lighting, and even many of the locals,” said and has had people tell him the Zoning Administrator Kay Gordy. course lighting is actually too dim. Gordy said the lot is on the West Former Ocean City zoning adminside of Coastal Highway and sits just istrator Blaine Smith said that besouth of the Ocean City fire station cause the site was once the location of and the Montego Bay community. a gas station, water, sewer and elecAcross Coastal Highway is an R3-A tricity services are already available. moderate residential zoning district, Smith added that with the Montego Gordy said. Bay neighborhood pretty much builtAttorney Joseph Moore, of the out, along with the rest of the town, Ocean City firm Williams, Moore, there shouldn’t be a concern about Shockley and Harrison, represented population changes around the course. Taustin. Moore said the fire station “You might say the town has maserves as a buffer between the pro- tured,” Smith said. posed course and residences to the As for the briefing on parking North, and a bank buffers the course changes, City Planner Bill Neville told to the south. Coastal Highway also planning commission members that shields residential buildings on the the city council voted to send a set of east side, he said. parking code The shopping amendments back center has 485 “They’re in the pocket of the to the planning parking spaces but commission. only requires 361, builders and developers and the The council real estate agents.” Gordy said, giving members felt that the mini-golf course Commissioner Palmer Gillis the planning coma surplus to use for mission had sent its required parkthem a version of ing. Taustin’s lease with the shopping the garage-parking code amendcenter includes parking, she said. ments that didn’t align with discusThe lot where Taustin proposes to sions commissioners and council build the course formerly contained a members had at a joint meeting in gas station, which was demolished in December 2022, Neville said. 2020. Lauren White, an architect The recent set of parking amendfrom Fisher Architecture, which is ments would’ve increased the minidesigning the course, said a Maryland mum size of garage parking spaces on Department of the Environment re- lots over 50 feet wide, set requireport confirmed that the gas tanks ments for 5-foot-recessed garage were removed from the site. aprons and added a line that proMoore said Fisher Architecture is hibits garages from being used for “very familiar” with both mini-golf general storage. course design and Ocean City. The Neville said the council is now refirm designed Taustin’s Embers Is- questing that commissioners limit land course, he said. their recommended code changes to Part of the plans include adding an parking space dimensions only. extra three feet of width to the sideThe commission could schedule walk in front of the course along further discussions for a later meetCoastal Highway, White said. Plan- ing, Neville said. ners also proposed building a side“This is now two separate commiswalk on the south side of the course sions more or less that have sent simthat leads to the course’s concessions ilar recommendations to the town and check-in area. council, and they keep throwing it Moore added that a bus stop situ- back at us,” said commissioner ated in front of the proposed course Palmer Gillis. “Can they tell us what could accommodate visitors without they want us to do?” cars, and Taustin plans to add bike Neville encouraged Palmer not to racks as well. give up on the amendments, saying Taustin said that they are still de- the planning commissioners have the ciding on designs for the course lay- option to not forward recommendaout, and Moore described it as a tions, change only the dimensions or work-in-progress. make entirely new amendments. The conditional use application re“They’re in the pocket of the quires that Taustin satisfy a list of builders and developers and the real special conditions, including lighting estate agents,” Gillis said of the counand sound control. Taustin told com- cil members. missioners that he has retained the Neville said the City Manager services of an experienced, capable Terry McGean has suggested doing and imaginative golf-course designer, another joint-meeting between the and will be adding a theme develop- commission and council at the end of ment company to give consideration January.
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