Ocean City Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting

Date: July 24, 2025 (6:00 PM) Location: City Hall, 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) convened on July 24, 2025, to handle administrative matters, an approval extension request, and two public hearings. All votes were taken with four members present (Christopher Rudolf, John Moran, Dan Stevens, Emily Nock; Brian Shane was absent).

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from June 26, 2025: Approved 4-0.
• Findings of Fact for BZA 2722 (John Stanton): Approved 3-1 (one member opposed).
• Findings of Fact for BZA 2723 (Mary Lewis): Approved 4-0.

Approval Extension Request

• BZA 2709 (Hugh Cropper, IV, Esq.): Request for a one-year extension (to January 9, 2027) of a previously granted special parking exception for 114 proposed townhomes (allowing 8-foot garage doors instead of 10 feet). Supporting testimony noted the project's complexity and that parcel D is near permit issuance. Approved 4-0.

Public Hearings

BZA 2724 – Andrew Swinder (125 Marine Circle)

• Request 1: Special yard exception for a proposed dwelling to be 3.3 feet from the front lot line (code requires 5 feet). Staff noted that adjacent Lot 37 has a 2.25-foot front setback and that the previous mobile home on the lot was even closer. Approved 4-0.
• Request 2: Special yard exception for a proposed storage shed to be 3.4 feet from the rear lot line. Staff cited adjacent Lot 31 with a 0.0-foot rear setback. Applicant stated the shed placement is an improvement over prior conditions. Approved 4-0.

BZA 2725 – Chris Caulk (100 Denny Lane)

• This hearing was postponed and will be readvertised for a future date.

BZA 2726 – Joseph E. Moore, Esq. (Majestic Hotel, 613 Atlantic Avenue)

• Request: Special yard exception to allow a proposed hotel to be built to the legally nonconforming 22-foot front yard setback from Atlantic Avenue (Boardwalk), rather than the required 32 feet. The request is identical to one approved in 2022 (BZA 2632) but had expired. Applicant presented renderings and photographs demonstrating no substantial adverse effect on adjacent properties (Ocean's Mist condominium to the south). The first-floor retail will match the existing 20-22 foot line; hotel rooms above will be set back 32 feet. No public comment was received. Approved 4-0, with the standard one-year approval period (the board declined to extend to 24 months, noting the code allows extensions for good cause after initial approval). A separate motion was passed 4-0 to allow the applicant to seek a one-year extension in the future if needed.

Key Outcomes

• All four agenda items requiring votes were approved (with one 3-1 vote on BZA 2722 findings).
• The one-year extension for BZA 2709 extends validity through January 9, 2027.
• BZA 2724 (Swinder) and BZA 2726 (Majestic Hotel) were approved subject to the standard one-year construction commencement requirement.
• BZA 2725 (Caulk) was postponed and will be rescheduled.
• Staff announced that Mayor will appoint Sean Buckley as an alternate board member at a work session the following Tuesday.