SNOW HILL – The Worcester County Commissioners have set March 1 as the public hearing date for two rezoning requests in the northern part of the county.
On Tuesday, March 1, the commissioners will accept public comments on proposals to rezone 11.5 acres on Route 589 and 36 acres of Frontier Town property on Route 611. The commissioners agreed to set the March 1 date in spite of the fact that officials are still waiting on some of the paperwork related to the requests. Kelly Shannahan, the county’s assistant chief administrative officer, said all attorney exhibits would be in by Friday.
“I’d prefer not to postpone,” he said, adding that there were nine rezoning cases for the commissioners to hear in the coming weeks. “I didn’t want you to get too far behind.”
Local attorney Hugh Cropper submitted the requests for both properties. Each request has already received a favorable recommendation from the Worcester County Planning Commission.
Cropper presented a proposal to rezone the 11.5 acres located north of Gum Point Road from A-1 (agriculture) to C-2 (general commercial) in December on behalf of the Estate of Mildred L. Parsons. The property has been zoned for agricultural use since the 1960s. Cropper argued there had been a substantial change in the character of the neighborhood in recent years. He cited the opening of the Casino at Ocean Downs as well as the redevelopment of other neighboring properties. He said rezoning of the Silver Fox property (from A-1 to C-2) in particular necessitated a rezoning of the Parsons land.
“That rezoning has left the petitioned area as an island of A-1 agricultural district zoning which, be it legal or illegal, represents spot zoning,” reads Cropper’s testimony from the planning commission hearing.
In its recommendation to the county commissioners, the planning commission agreed that the character of the neighborhood had indeed changed.
Regarding the Frontier Town property on Route 611, Cropper said a rezoning was needed because of a mistake in the existing zoning classification. The property, which is largely wooded but also contains some horse paddocks, is currently zoned C-2. Cropper aims to have it rezoned to A-2.
“Mr. Cropper stated that the applicant desires to enlarge the existing campground into the petitioned area,” testimony from the planning commission reads, “thus necessitating the rezoning to A-2 agricultural district.”
Cropper said roughly 60 acres of the 209 acre Frontier Town property was zoned C-2. He’s seeking to have 36 of those 60 acres rezoned to A-2.
“Mr. Cropper noted that the commercially zoned portions of the subject property could theoretically be developed with shopping centers, restaurants, motels, convenience stores, gas stations and other such uses that are not particularly appropriate on this property,” planning commission testimony reads.
Cropper went on to tell the planning commission that the applicant would be seeking a special exception to expand Frontier Town’s campground.
The property, long owned by the Parker family, was purchased by nationally known Sun Communities last summer. The company owns 250 manufactured housing and RV communities.
When contacted this week, officials from Sun Communities said it would be premature to discuss their plans for Frontier Town at this point.