Ocean City Mayor Proposes Giving Jurisdiction of Flood Damage Appeals to Planning Board

The Ocean City Planning Board may be taking on new responsibilities in anticipation of appeals related to flood damage prevention.

Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian is proposing the Planning Board take on the duties of the City’s Flood Damage Prevention Appeal Board.

The purpose of the Flood Damage Prevention Appeal Board would be to hear and decide appeals and requests for variances related to flood damage prevention.

The City sees a need for such a board “in light of the current FEMA and flood insurance flood-proofing requirements,” as well as an increase in the number of homeowners interested in elevating or replacing their beachfront and bayfront bulkheads, according to the agenda packet for this week’s City Council meeting.

Currently, the ordinance calls for a board consisting of mayoral appointments, with the advice and consent of Council.

The Planning Board is made up of nine regular members and two alternates, including the mayor, a city council member, a municipal official and six citizen members, all appointed by the mayor.

The proposed revision will come before Council for first reading when it meets Thursday night at City Hall, 7 p.m.

The Planning Board is currently tasked with review of subdivision and site plans, conditional use applications and matters pertaining to the Master Plan and official map. It also makes recommendations concerning the zoning ordinance. It meets the first and second Wednesday of each month.