The question whether to include land at the corner of U.S. Route 50 and Old Ocean City Boulevard in Berlin’s growth area should be an easy one when it goes before the mayor and council on Oct. 9.

There are a couple of reasons for that, not the least of which is that two-thirds of the people who spoke during the Planning Commission hearing last month supported the project proposed by property owner Ernie Gerardi.

Gerardi wants to develop his property into a “Berlin Gateway,” which suggests that he envisions something that will complement the approach to town, rather than some less attractive, but possibly permitted, use.

That possibility of a different use, however remote it might seem now, is the second reason the town should embrace this opportunity. As Planning Commission member Pete Crosby observed before casting his vote in favor of Gerardi’s plan, this arrangement would give the commission authority over the site plan, whereas otherwise it would be the county’s call.

Should the town decide against adding this parcel to its growth area, thus also rejecting Gerardi’s plan to seek annexation by the town, the future development of this gateway would be determined by the county, with the town having no voice and no choice in the matter.

Clearly, it’s better to have some control over one of the entrances to town than to be a bystander and have to accept whatever might occur in the years ahead.