Boardwalk Wind Turbines OK’d

OCEAN CITY – The Mayor and City Council swiftly worked their way through a couple of pages worth of business, including approving wind turbines on a residence, the purchase of property and a day for kindness.

The first residential wind turbine received a “go ahead” this week following a favorable recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The conditional use request approved a permit in a residential district to install three roof mounted wind turbines on a boardwalk property.

On March 6, the Planning and Zoning Commission concluded that the proposed project meets all requirements of the Ocean City Code section Small Wind Energy Systems. Also, should the system exceed noise limitations set forth in the code after installation, the system should be retrofitted to comply or be removed.

According to Planning and Community Development Director Jesse Houston, the results of an independent company’s test are sufficient to satisfy Ocean City’s code requirement that the system’s noise produced is no greater than 55 dBA. Also, in regards to the appearance he believes the applicant, Joseph Bartell for Marguerite M. Villa Santa, has done everything possible to minimize the intrusion on the surrounding area.

The final authorization was given by the Mayor and City Council to purchase real property at 4th street and Philadelphia Ave.

According to the ordinance, the council has determined that there is a need for additional off-street parking spaces in the corporate limits of Ocean City. The acquisition of the property will allow for the expansion of the current municipal parking lot on 4th Street.

The lot will provide 60 parking spaces and since the property will be purchased through a bond the revenue generated from the parking lot will cover the cost of the bond indebtedness on a yearly basis.

Mayor Rick Meehan presented Councilman Brent Ashley with a proclamation designating April 6 as Random Acts of Kindness Day in Ocean City.

April 6 will be a day for the entire community to be challenged to do something kind for a friend or stranger for no reason, according to the proclamation, such aspersonally thanking a police officer, EMT, fireman, veteran or city employee for their service and sending a handwritten note to someone that has made a difference in your life.