By Greg Ellison

(March 17, 2022) After a further review of the stormwater management plans for an expanded Berlin Activities Depot, the Planning Commission gave a favorable recommendation last week for the project on Old Ocean City Boulevard.

Last Wednesday, Jesyl Silva of George, Miles & Buhr presented site plans during the Planning Commission meeting, followed by a presentation from Berlin Activities Depot owner Carmella Solito last month.

Master concept plans proposed for the roughly 2.9-acre site zoned B-2 shopping district include additions to an existing structure and new construction.

Silva said minor changes were made since last month for the phased-in growth plans proposed by Solito.

“We changed the pitch roof along Old Ocean City Boulevard to better hide the HVAC units,” he said.

Silva said the project’s first phase would involve an addition to the side of the existing building bordering Old Ocean City Boulevard.

Photo by Greg Ellison
Jesyl Silva of George, Miles & Buhr presented site plans to the Planning Commission last week for proposed multi-phased expansions at Berlin Activities Depot.

Development plans include a north-side addition to the existing building to roughly double the existing 11,250-square-foot recreation center. The two-story build-out would also include a café of more than 2,000 square feet.

Silva said seating counts for the restaurant portion were reduced from the earlier 84-seat total to include 30 inside and 10 outside spots.

Longtime drainage issues on adjacent roadways were also examined.

Commission Vice Chair Ron Cascio said the project should not channel excess stormwater runoff towards Graham Avenue.

“It’s maybe the most challenging spot in town,” he said.

Silva said initial calculations by the planners have left them confident the project would not result in adverse impacts from water runoff.

Planning Director Dave Engelhart said a finalized stormwater plan is still forthcoming, and noted George, Miles & Buhr officials have been working in conjunction with the town’s stormwater engineer.

“So, the concept they want to pursue is doable,” he said. “That’s my understanding, but no formal submittal has been made yet.”

In terms of stormwater management practices, Engelhart said both a pond area on the corner of Graham and Nelson avenues and a submerged gravel wetland elsewhere on site are included features.

Engelhart acknowledged recurring drainage problems near the site and are largely attributable to inadequately sized underground pipes.

“The pipes were never sized large enough back in the ’50s or ’60s,” he said.

Engelhart also noted sewer line hook-ups would still need to be determined for the expansion.

Commission members voted to approve site plans contingent on their inclusion of a solution to stormwater run-off problems.