Worcester County Recreation Center addition
The commission reviewed drawings of the proposed addition, but made no comments. No approvals were needed.
The 6,300-square-foot addition will be constructed on the east side of the existing recreation center and its façade will match the existing façade.
The main vestibule at the recreation center will be used as the entrance for the addition.
Paige Hurley, director of the Department of Recreation and Parks, said the after-school program now held in the front lobby will be held in the new area. Zumba and aerobics, which are now held in a corner of the existing gym or on the main court will also be moved to the new space.
The new area will also provide space for storage, laundry facilities and workout equipment such as ellipticals and treadmills.
Project funding of $728,996 is included in the adopted fiscal year 2014 Recreation Department budget. After the project is completed, Program Open Space will reimburse 90 percent of the total cost.
Seaside Village
The commission approved the establishment of fee simple lots for phases 2-4 at the Seaside Village residential planned community in West Ocean City north of Route 50 and east of Golf Course Road.
The request mirrors that of the earlier request for the first phase. Infrastructure is already in place.
Commission member Brooks Clayville said he did not like the stone on part of the façade of the residences.
“Stone isn’t something we use around here,” Clayville said.
The county’s Design Guidelines and Standards for Commercial Buildings discourages stone on buildings, but the structures at Seaside Village are residential so those guidelines and standards do not apply.
Attorney Mark Cropper, representing Seaside Village, said he would ask the architect and developer if something other than stone could be used for the façade.
Clayville voiced his opposition to the stone façade again and mentioned that some buildings along Route 50 on the way to Ocean City have stone facades.
“”It’s like nails on chalkboard every time I do by,” he said.
Planning Commission Chairwoman Marlene Ott was not in favor of the proposed façade either.
‘I don’t think it’s appealing,” Ott said.
Despite the proposed stone of the façade, the commission voted to approve the establishment of the lots and the preliminary and final plat review.
Text amendment
The commissioners voted unanimously to send a favor recommendation to the Worcester County Commissioners for a text amendment that would permit up to 12 children in a daycare home. First however, they want the fire marshal to review it.
The current county code now permits up to eight children in a daycare home.
The change is proposed because, state regulations permits up to 12 children in a daycare home and this would make the county regulations match the state regulation.
Zoning administrator Jennifer Burke said someone had applied to the state to have a large daycare home in the county.