Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Session – March 3, 2026

The Ocean City Planning and Zoning Commission held a regular session on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 7:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:30 PM due to the withdrawal of earlier site plan items. The commission approved the minutes from the February 3, 2026 meeting and conducted a public hearing on two intertwined ordinances: one amending Chapter 110 (Zoning) to regulate outdoor display of merchandise on the Boardwalk, and the other amending Chapter 66 (Signs) to update definitions and standards. Public comments were heard, and the commission voted to forward a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and City Council with several modifications.

Approval of Minutes

• The minutes of the February 3, 2026 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting were approved by a vote of 6-1, with Joe Wilson opposed. The commission noted that the minutes correctly reflected the 6-1 vote (originally read as 7-0, then corrected).

Public Hearing: Outdoor Display of Merchandise and Sign Amendments

• George Bendler, Director of Planning and Community Development, presented the proposed amendments. For Chapter 110, the ordinance adds a definition for "feather flag," establishes an annual permit process for outdoor display of merchandise on the Boardwalk, and sets standards for displays, including A-frame signs, prohibitions on encroachment, and restrictions on attaching displays to utility poles, trees, fences, or walls. The ordinance also includes specific rules for restaurants, hotels, and amusements, such as allowing one menu board per establishment (originally proposed at 3 square feet, but OCDC recommended 9 square feet). For Chapter 66, the ordinance adds definitions for fence signs, ground signs, and roof signs; sets a maximum area of 50 square feet for fence signs; reduces the temporary sign display period from six months to 60 days (OCDC recommended 30 days); and clarifies that A-frame signs on the Boardwalk are not allowed during special events designated by Town Resolution.
• Enforcement data from 2025 was presented: 109 total violations were handled, with 100% abatement rates across categories including outdoor display, merchandise with foul language, display after store closure, sign on fence, A-frame encroachment, and failure to obtain annual permit. Methods included certified mail (47 cases), hand delivery (42), certified mail & hand delivery (12), regular mail (3), and verbal warnings (16).

Public Comments

• Bruce Krasner (6333 South Point Road, Berlin, MD) spoke on behalf of absent business owners. He raised concerns about the requirement to bring A-frame signs indoors nightly, noting that some businesses intentionally make their A-frames heavy to prevent wind damage and would prefer to leave them out overnight. He also suggested that feather flags be partially allowed (e.g., two near the entrance) rather than fully prohibited.
• Courtney Bullock (109 North Atlantic Avenue, owner of Caribbean Pool Bar and Cabanas Beach Bar & Grill) asked for clarification on temporary sign permits: each temporary sign requires a permit, and events would need separate permits for each change. He also confirmed that off-Boardwalk A-frames are allowed only during the off-season (September 15 to May 15) and not during special events.
• Robert McGrory (1103 Atlantic Avenue, property with a ramp) echoed concerns about bringing A-frames indoors nightly, stating that securing them in place is safer than moving them on wheels, which could create liability.
• A speaker from Pizamas Pizza (name not recorded) thanked the commission for allowing 50 square feet of signage on fences but requested that the allowance be a percentage of fence area (e.g., 50%) rather than a fixed number, as their fence is over 200 square feet.

Commission Deliberation and Vote

• The commission discussed the public comments and staff recommendations. Key points included:
  • Feather flags: Staff explained that the trade-off for allowing fence signage was the elimination of feather flags, which had been a public nuisance. The commission agreed to keep the prohibition.
  • A-frame signs brought in at night: The commission supported the requirement, noting that A-frames left out become nuisances and that permanent signage can be obtained via permit. They acknowledged concerns about heavy signs but deemed the requirement necessary.
  • Fence signage percentage: Staff opposed a percentage-based allowance, stating that 50 square feet is a reasonable limit for the entire town and that a percentage could lead to excessive signage. The commission agreed to retain the 50-square-foot limit.
  • OCDC recommendations: The commission accepted three recommendations from the Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC): (1) remove the word "wall" from Section 110-884(b)(3) to allow displays to be attached to walls; (2) increase the menu board size from 3 to 9 square feet; (3) reduce the temporary sign display period from 60 to 30 days. The commission also noted that OCDC’s request to allow authorized representatives (e.g., general managers) to sign permit applications was not included due to legal concerns.
• A motion was made by Commissioner Pam Robertson and seconded by Commissioner Janet Hough to give a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and City Council for the ordinances as amended. The motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• The commission voted to forward a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and City Council for both ordinances (PZ File #25-14100001) with the following modifications:
  • Remove the word "wall" from the prohibition on attaching outdoor displays (Section 110-884(b)(3)).
  • Increase the maximum size of menu boards for restaurants, hotels, and amusements from 3 to 9 square feet (Section 110-884(c)(9)).
  • Reduce the display period for temporary signs from 60 to 30 days (Section 66-12).
• The commission upheld the requirement that A-frame signs be brought indoors when the business is closed, the prohibition on feather flags, and the 50-square-foot limit for fence signage.
• The ordinances will proceed to a work session and then to first and second readings before the Mayor and City Council, with additional opportunities for public comment.