Representatives of a proposed cannabis dispensary say they are exploring legal options after an Ocean City board denied their zoning appeal.
On April 24, the Ocean City Board of Zoning Appeals agreed that a proposed cannabis dispensary at 2100 Philadelphia Avenue did not meet the requirements of the city’s zoning code, effectively upholding a determination from the city’s zoning administrator.
Now, representatives for the cannabis dispensary say they will likely appeal that decision to the court system.
“What our next step is, is unclear,” said Justin Tepe, attorney for applicant Guru Ventures. “But my client is definitely determined to enforce what they are entitled to do.”
Last year, the Maryland Cannabis Administration awarded Shreif Shata’s Guru Ventures a license to operate a dispensary in Worcester County. Shata’s plan is to open his new business – to be named Green Marlin – at the Phillips Plaza Shopping Center. The dispensary would replace the smoke shop located in the building.
However, the city’s zoning officials argue the proposed location violates zoning restrictions, as it is within 500 feet of both a public park (the beach) and recreation centers (a hotel pool and miniature golf course), within 100 feet of areas zoned for residential use, and is located in an area zoned for residential use. Because of the city’s pyramidal zoning system, even commercial properties like the one identified for the proposed dispensary are simultaneously zoned for housing.
To that end, Guru Ventures representatives came before the appeals board last week to challenge the zoning determination, issued by Planning and Community Development Director George Bendler.