Planning Commission says loading space cannot be smaller than code requires

ELIZABETH BONIN/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
The old Ocean Pines Golf Course Clubhouse was demolished in May by Absolute Demolition.

By Elizabeth Bonin, Staff Writer

(Sept. 12, 2019) Site plans for the new Ocean Pines Golf Clubhouse will have to be adjusted before they can advance in the county government approval process.

The Worcester County Planning Commission last Thursday denied an Ocean Pines Association request to provide a smaller loading space than what the county code requires.

The site plan entails a 9,479-square-foot clubhouse with a restaurant, outdoor seating, pro shop and meeting room at 100 Clubhouse Drive in Ocean Pines. Davis, Bowen, and Friedel Inc. are the architects and The Whayland Company will manage the construction.

The county code requires the operation to provide a loading space 10 feet wide and 65 feet deep with a 14-foot clearance, but the OPA asked for a loading zone area of 11 feet wide and 28 feet deep.

Zoning Administrator Jennifer Keener advised the Planning Commission that it can modify the provision for the loading space, and that the space would be at the end of Clubhouse Drive, where there are no other structures.

The significant difference in the required depth and the proposed depth of the loading zone, however, caused the commissioners to wonder if delivery trucks would have enough room to maneuver.

Commissioner Mike Diffendal added that the proposed site plan did not present enough details for the Planning Commission to make a decision. Commissioner Gerard Barbierri moved to deny the request and Commissioner Jay Knerr seconded the motion.

The old clubhouse was demolished this May. Golf operations are currently held in a trailer until clubhouse construction is completed.