Ocean City's Planning Board Rejects Designation That Could Have Clear Path for Luxury Hotel Project
The Ocean City Planning Board has rejected a proposal to designate a key stretch of the boardwalk as an area in need of rehabilitation, effectively blocking the progress of Icona Resorts' luxury hotel project at the site of the former Gillian's Wonderland Pier.
Icona Resorts' CEO Eustace Mita had been lobbying for the designation since purchasing the property in 2021. The move would have allowed him to construct a 252-room hotel without needing to obtain separate zoning variances, which he claimed would be a complicated and time-consuming process.
However, the board voted 4-4 on the matter, meaning the proposal was rejected due to lack of a quorum. This decision effectively puts the hotel project's future in limbo.
City Council Vice President Pete Madden acknowledged that the planning board's vote is non-binding, but expressed uncertainty about when the city council would take action on the matter. "I'd like to see it on the agenda to vote still to go to a rehabilitation zone and begin negotiating," he said.
Madden pointed out that if the Wonderland Pier property is not designated for rehabilitation, it will be reviewed as part of a broader evaluation of zoning along the entire boardwalk. This could lead to further delays in the decision-making process.
Icona Resorts has already received two bids from developers with offers exceeding $25 million, and Mita has stated that he would sell the property if the hotel project isn't approved. However, without the designation, any development plans would still need to be reviewed by city council through a separate zoning variance process.
The planning board's rejection was met with support from Ocean City 2050, a citizens group opposed to the hotel project. The group's member, Bill Merritt, stated that the evidence presented did not meet the criteria for rehabilitation zoning and expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
A subcommittee established by city council to assess boardwalk zoning has been holding public meetings to gather feedback from residents and stakeholders. However, its findings may only serve to further delay a decision on the Wonderland Pier project.
The Ocean City Planning Board has rejected a proposal to designate a key stretch of the boardwalk as an area in need of rehabilitation, effectively blocking the progress of Icona Resorts' luxury hotel project at the site of the former Gillian's Wonderland Pier.
Icona Resorts' CEO Eustace Mita had been lobbying for the designation since purchasing the property in 2021. The move would have allowed him to construct a 252-room hotel without needing to obtain separate zoning variances, which he claimed would be a complicated and time-consuming process.
However, the board voted 4-4 on the matter, meaning the proposal was rejected due to lack of a quorum. This decision effectively puts the hotel project's future in limbo.
City Council Vice President Pete Madden acknowledged that the planning board's vote is non-binding, but expressed uncertainty about when the city council would take action on the matter. "I'd like to see it on the agenda to vote still to go to a rehabilitation zone and begin negotiating," he said.
Madden pointed out that if the Wonderland Pier property is not designated for rehabilitation, it will be reviewed as part of a broader evaluation of zoning along the entire boardwalk. This could lead to further delays in the decision-making process.
Icona Resorts has already received two bids from developers with offers exceeding $25 million, and Mita has stated that he would sell the property if the hotel project isn't approved. However, without the designation, any development plans would still need to be reviewed by city council through a separate zoning variance process.
The planning board's rejection was met with support from Ocean City 2050, a citizens group opposed to the hotel project. The group's member, Bill Merritt, stated that the evidence presented did not meet the criteria for rehabilitation zoning and expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
A subcommittee established by city council to assess boardwalk zoning has been holding public meetings to gather feedback from residents and stakeholders. However, its findings may only serve to further delay a decision on the Wonderland Pier project.
this is so frustrating! like can't they just make up their minds already?! 
252 rooms of luxury hotel bliss just sitting there, waiting to happen... meanwhile Icona Resorts' CEO Eustace Mita is literally losing his mind over here 
I mean, who needs that much money to be made from a hotel project? Ocean City 2050's got the right idea though - they shouldn't let their emotions get the best of them like some people do 
it's just business, guys! 
The Ocean City Planning Board is like, "Nah, we good" on that fancy hotel project 
. I mean, can you imagine walking along the boardwalk and seeing a huge luxury hotel where Gillian's Wonderland Pier used to be? It sounds like a real party scene... NOT 
. Seriously though, without the designation, it's gonna be a whole process, and who knows when they'll get around to deciding on it. Maybe just sell it already, Eustace? 
. Guess you could say the boardwalk's gonna stay a little more chill without that hotel 
.
and by the way, Ocean City 2050 seems like a pretty biased group to me 
for Icona Resorts! They were so close to getting that luxury hotel up and running but the planning board threw them a curveball 
. I'm like, "Why not just designate it already?" 
The whole process seems kinda shady 
. Can't they just make a decision already? 
It's been years since Mita bought that property and now he's selling it if things don't go his way 
. Maybe city council should just get on the same page as the planning board already 
#OceanCityHotelControversy #LuxuryHotelLivesMatter
. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out...
or at least give us some clarity on what you're looking for in zoning. and can we please get an update on those boardwalk subcommittee meetings? been hearing nothing from them lately 
And now it's just... stuck 
. I get that there were some concerns about the process and all but come on! 
It's like they're waiting for the clock to strike midnight or something 
might as well see how many bids they can get for that property, maybe someone'll come in with an offer they can't refuse 
But what's even more interesting is the stats around this issue! 
Did you know that over 70% of Ocean City residents have expressed opposition to the hotel project? 
According to a survey by Ocean City 2050, only 25% of respondents believed the project would be beneficial for the city. 
What do you guys think? Should the hotel go forward or keep it as is? 
, no hotel at wonderland pier and they can breathe easy again...but this means there's still gonna be delays in the whole thing...the subcommittee meetings were already causing a headache...i don't think anyone knows what's gonna happen next...the city council's got its work cut out for it...if icona resorts sells the property, who cares about oceancity 2050? 
. I get why the planning board rejected the proposal - it's not exactly clear what they'd be rehabilitating, and it seems like a bunch of red tape 
. But still, it's a shame for the city because that hotel project would've brought in some serious cash 
.
what's the point of rushing in if you can't do it right? 
. One can't help but wonder if the lack of quorum will ultimately prove to be a blessing in disguise for this iconic boardwalk 
.
. Their efforts demonstrate the importance of grassroots mobilization in shaping local policy decisions 
. While the outcome may be uncertain, it's heartening to see that residents are taking an active interest in protecting their beloved boardwalk for future generations