October 18, 2013 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Page 39 Changes To Resort Height Code Sought By JOANNE SHRINER STAFF WRITER Wicomico & Baltimore Ave. • Downtown Ocean City 410-289-POUR(7687) • Open Wednesday-Sunday OCEAN CITY – The Planning and Zoning Commission is recommending the Mayor and City Council pass an emergency ordinance to amend the town’s code on building height. On Tuesday evening, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing to consider amending Ocean City’s Zoning Code that currently defines building height as the vertical distance from grade to the highest point where the exterior walls meet the roof. The area above the maximum building height (attic) shall not be used for living purposes, which includes working, sleeping, eating, cooking or recreation or a combination thereof. The amendment would change the definition to the vertical distance from base flood elevation or two feet above grade, whichever is greater, to the highest point where exterior walls meet the roof. The area above the maximum building height (attic) shall not be used for living purposes, which includes working, sleeping, cooking or recreation, or a combination thereof unless otherwise specified. According to Ocean City’s Zoning Code, “grade” is defined as, “grade elevation shall be measured at the crown of the improved street upon which a building fronts, measured at the point perpendicular to the midpoint of the lot line.” The code also states, “within the residential district maximum building height shall be no more than 50 feet and shall be no more than five stories, except as otherwise provided under special height and yard regulations per section 110-901 for buildings taller than five stories.” Zoning Director Blaine Smith explained if each floor of a building is nine feet tall it would leave only five feet between the grade and the first floor. “Sometimes because of base flood elevation they have to raise the building up, and they lose some of their floor to ceiling height … so if we give them to the base flood elevation or two feet above grade they can get it up and have better height under the building,” Smith said. “Many times it is the parking level that suffers.” Smith used the new La Quinta Inn & Suites on 32nd Street as an example of one of the current projects that will benefit from the code change. “They barely had the right height for clearance, and if this is enacted they can raise it up and have a legitimate height under that building,” Smith said. The public hearing was closed with no public comments made. The commission quickly recognized the benefit to the code change as a list of new construction projects in Ocean City continues to grow. The amendment would apply to any projects currently under construction and in the future. The commission voted unanimously to send a favorable recommendation to the council to amend the code and to pass the amendment as an emergency ordinance. ENTERTAINMENT 8 P.M.: Friday DJ Moonshine saturday 2nd Annual Happy Hour Wednesday-Friday 3-7 p.m. Sunday 9 p.m.-Close w/ $4 Fireball Wednesday All Day & Night $2.50 Dom. Pints $2.75 Dom. Bottles $3.25 Rail Drinks $3.25 House Wine $5.00 Wings $6.95 1/2 Steamed Shrimp Halloween w/ Chainsaw Riot Boneyard, Thirteen To One & Oceans Of Flesh Sunday NFL Food & Drink Specials Thirsty Thursday Open Mic Night 9 p.m $2 OFF All Craft Beer $2 Dom. Pints • $4 Fireball ✤❊✿✿❀❆q✷✸❊❚ Costume contest SAturday, October 26 Hosted By Skip dixxon All The Time! $2 NATTY BOH PINTS $5 CRAFT FLIGHTS $6 ORANGE CRUSHES in Cash Prizes 1st - $300 2nd - $200 3rd - $100 $600.00 2nd Annual Boardwalk 5K Fan Challenge Saturday, Nov. 23, 9 a.m. WHICH SIDE OF THE STREET DO YOU STAND ON? SUPER BOWL CHAMPS Buxy’s Black & Gold Weekend Bash ... Fun For The Whole Family PURPLE FRIDAY NOV. 22 ✴✆✖✠✏✕¤✩✆✏✕¤✴✠☛✌✕✢✠✔¤✩✑✔¤€✮ SATURDAY, NOV. 23 RAVENS/STEELERS 5K FAN CHALLENGE 9 A.M. SUNDAY, OCT. 20 RAVENS VS. STEELERS DOORS OPEN AT 11 A.M. HAPPY HOUR ALL DAY FOOD AND DRINK SPECIALS FULL MENU & CARRY-OUT UNTIL 1 A.M. NIGHTLY DETAILS AT WWW.OCTRIRUNNING.COM FRIDAY, NOV. 22 STEELERS FANS REGISTER FOR 5K SATURDAY, NOV. 23 STEELERS/RAVENS 5K FAN CHALLENGE 9 A.M. SUNDAY, OCT. 20 STEELERS VS. RAVENS Smash Mouth Football Tailgate Party 11 a.m. ☛✯✤✸✲¤✩¤✘✫5¤✞✷✪✫¤✗✳5✦✬✤✯✵ 28th Street Zombie Block Party Thursday, Oct. 31, 6 p.m. LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF 28TH ST. AND COASTAL HWY. WWW.PITANDPUB.COM BREAKFAST SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 8 A.M. 410-289-BUXY • 28TH STREET PLENTY OF FREE PARKING IN REAR