Residents who received two notices will lose access to all amenities, voting rights

By Cindy Hoffman, Staff Writer

(Jan. 25, 2024) Most properties in Ocean Pines are well maintained, but some can be an eyesore. Ocean Pines Association Director Elaine Brady has made addressing those properties a priority.

During the elections, Brady noted that she and other candidates heard repeatedly that a clean-up of properties was a priority for residents.

“We took it very seriously.”

The association has been aggressive in helping to alleviate the problem, said Brady, who blamed the problem on not enough staff to address the issue.

“We want this community, as it ages, to continue with the charm and the look of the community and make sure that we are all proud. We need people to be good neighbors and if you are not, we will take care of the problem,” Brady said.

During the January board meeting on Saturday, Senior Executive Office Manager Linda Martin rattled off a list of addresses that have received first and second notices for violations, including stop work orders, trailers, unregistered or junk vehicles and vehicle parking, paint colors, trash, leaves, and lack of permits.

The board members agreed to send all violations that have received a second notice to the association’s legal advisors and to suspend the parties’ access to all amenities and voting rights. Altogether, 144 properties had violations as of the end of the year.

During the meeting, the board heard the first reading of revisions to the Architectural Review Committee Guidelines. Some sections that will be clarified relate to the requirements for permits, which must come from the county and Ocean Pines.

Other issues that will be addressed include fencing materials, community appearance, current property surveys and site plans when residents ask for variances. The committee is also trying to make it clear to people what they need to know prior to coming before the ARC committee.

Tree removal, fill and grading of new properties will also be addressed in the updates.

The changes have already been reviewed by the Bylaws Advisory Committee and the updates will go to legal counsel for review.