By Greg Ellison

(Nov. 26, 2020) Reconvening for the first time since the covid-19 outbreak, last week the OPA Communications Committee resumed discussions about upgrading community marquee signs to electronic versions, contingent on approval from Worcester County.

Committee Chairwoman Jenny Cropper Rines said despite the lack of recent gatherings, the group remains committed to the replacing the 13 manually updated marquees scattered throughout Ocean Pines.

Board liaison Dr. Colette Horn said due to a miscommunication she failed to attend the Worcester County Planning Commission meeting in November but intends on reviving the matter during their next meeting on Dec. 3.

Committee member Cheryl Jacobs said her understanding is that Worcester officials are prepared to iron out associated zoning regulations.

“They are favorably disposed to moving ahead,” she said.

During earlier discussions with Worcester County Director of Development Review and Permitting Ed Tudor, Rines and Horn were informed that changing to electronic signs would require a zoning code amendment specific to Ocean Pines.

Rines said based on previous talks, the goal would be installing new electronic signs at the north and south gates, while retaining three current signs. Early cost estimates place the cost at $30,000 or more per sign.

Horn said she previously indicated to General Manager John Viola the association would purchase up to five electronic signs, while also harboring the impression county officials wanted the old signs removed.

Marketing and Public Relations Director Josh Davis said based on earlier discussions with county officials, the current bakers-dozen of marquees would have to be abandoned.

“Worcester County would like us to get rid of all the old signs,” he said.

Horn said the potential expense would likely be included in a subsequent budget and not part of the pending fiscal year 2021/2022 budget.

Horn also noted Viola had earlier espoused abandoning the marquee sign at the Ocean Pines Golf Course.

Marketing Coordinator Julie Malinowski said the difficulty with analog signs is a limitation on the information shared.

“The problem with changing the marquees is the timeliness,” she said.

Horn said the existing signs at both the Yacht Club and White Horse Park could likely be retained, as both would not require nighttime illumination since the bulk of traffic passes the facilities during the day.

Horn said she had proposed to Viola that the association ask Worcester officials to permit a handful of electronic signs, which could be financed over multiple years.

Davis said current county sign regulations limit the association to a pair of electronic and analog internal community signs.

“This may limit us to four total signs,” he said.

In earlier meetings county officials wanted assurances the signs would not be used for advertising, and also voiced concerns about reducing the number of signs in the community and maintaining unobstructed rights of way.