HomeBuyerPower® » Ocean City Maryland Waterfront Property Rights

MORE OCEAN CITY MARYLAND COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES? City officials seek to cut residential density on parcels in districts zoned for business

admin — Sun, 09 May 2010 02:29:52 +0000

Ocean City Today reported on Friday about a restructuring of the zoning rules being considered by the City Council of Ocean City, Maryland. The proposed change would modify the current rules for residential development on commercially zoned properties:

“For about two years, the resort’s Planning Department has discussed the possibility of reducing the number of residential units a property owner can build on a site with a commercial zoning designation. The goal was to encourage more commercial development in town and to reverse the practice of putting condominiums on commercial land. That approach peaked during the real estate boom and gobbled up a large amount of commercial property.

The resort’s comprehensive plan calls on city officials to encourage more commercial growth within town boundaries so residents will not have to travel out of town to go shopping or visit other businesses. In February, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the city do that by reducing the number of residential units that could be built on commercial properties.”

The full article-

http://www.oceancitytoday.net/news/2010-05-07/Front_Page/MORE_OC_COMMERCIAL_PROPERTIES.html

Federal flood program set to expire at start of hurricane season

admin — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 19:37:05 +0000

The Baltimore Sun is reporting that unless Congress extends it, the National Flood Insurance Program will expire May 31 — the day before hurricane season starts:

“If you are in the market for flood insurance or might need a policy soon to qualify for a mortgage, don’t wait to buy it.

Existing policies would remain in effect, but consumers wouldn’t be able to buy and renew policies or increase their coverage.

Standard homeowners’ policies don’t cover flooding. The 42-year-old federal program covers damage from events such as heavy rains, melting snow and coastal storm surges. The maximum homeowner limits are $250,000 for a house and $100,000 for contents, although some private insurers offer coverage once federal caps are reached.”

The full article –

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/money/bs-bz-ambrose-flood-insurance-20100419,0,3861019.story

Supreme Court hears arguments in Florida beach property case

admin — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:03:22 +0000

Rarely does the U.S. Supreme Court hear arguments related to the property rights of beach property owners, but such a case is now pending before the Court. At issue is whether a ruling by the Florida Supreme Court had determined that the essential right for waterfront property owners was access to the water, not physical contact with it:

“The position prompted a response from Justice Antonin Scalia. “It would be very strange to have a principle that all a littoral owner gets is a right to access the water, not a right to be on the water,” he said.

The question in the Florida case arose during a 2003 state project aimed at pumping thousands of tons of new sand onto an eroded beach on Florida’s Panhandle. Under a beach-restoration law, officials announced, the new sand would become state-owned land.

While some beachfront property owners hard hit by storms welcomed the restoration project, others opposed it, saying they were well protected behind an existing 200-foot-wide beach.”

This case could have implications for all waterfront landowners, including those in the Ocean City Maryland area. The full article is at–

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1203/p02s01-usju.html