Update: Commissioners approve Casino Overlay District by 5-2 vote

UPDATE: Oct. 20, 2020: The Worcester County Commissioners today voted 5-2 in favor of the Casino Entertainment District. Only commissioners Jim Bunting (Ocean Pines) and Joe Mitrecic (Ocean City) were not in favor. 

Original article follows:

(Oct. 19, 2020) Ocean Downs Casino General Manager Bobbi Sample on Saturday supplied Ocean Pines Board members and residents with an extensive presentation on the proposed Casino Entertainment District zoning overlay. 

The proposed text amendment at the county level seeks to add a Casino Entertainment District as an overlay district for Ocean Downs, which is located on Route 589 near Ocean Pines. 

According to county documents, the change would allow for potential new developments such as additional gaming facilities, restaurants and hotels, and outdoor arenas and performing arts centers. 

The roughly 40-minute presentation during an Ocean Pines Board meeting on Saturday included a PowerPoint and a question-and-answer session. 

Sample addressed concerns about potential overdevelopment and further traffic congestion on Route 589.   

She also said that, since 2011, Ocean Pines has received more than $2.7 million in local impact grants related to casino business. Sample said the Association used the funding for road paving and drainage improvements. 

Association President Larry Perrone said a new hotel could be a benefit for Ocean Pines, especially for banquets, food and beverage operations, and golf.  

“While everybody is concerned about traffic, I think we all realize that, no matter what goes on here in the future, traffic’s going to be a problem on [Route] 589,” Perrone said. “My personal opinion is that I see that this could help in our own business here, in Ocean Pines.” 

Perrone said in prior discussions with Sample, she agreed that any traffic study related to casino development would also include the potential impact on Ocean Pines.  

“We did get a commitment from them … that any traffic study that is done based on the work that they intend to do, they will do the study for all of 589, showing the impact it’ll have on Ocean Pines,” Perrone said. “I just wanted to update everybody to let you know they are trying to cooperate and work with us.” 

Perrone asked for an informal show of hands on whether Board members support the proposal. All seven members raised their hands in support.  

To view video of the presentation, visit: https://youtu.be/U08JUkyV5G0?t=282.  

To view the PowerPoint slides, visit: /documents/20124/70275/10-17-20%20Meeting%20Power%20Point.key/5d30ee8e-e32f-c46f-08df-24fb1a9fbd2e. 

A formal public hearing on the text amendment is scheduled to be part of the next Commissioners’ meeting, on Oct. 20 at 10 a.m. at the Worcester County Government Center, Room 1101, on One West Market Street in Snow Hill.   

The meeting can also be watched live, by using the link https://worcestercountymd.swagit.com/live.