OCEAN CITY – Satisfied with some of the conditions recommended by staff and some changes to the design proffered by the developer, resort planners on Tuesday moved the proposed Margaritaville Hotel and Resort complex to the next step.
In August, the Planning Commission reviewed conceptual plans for the proposed Margaritaville Hotel and Resort, which, if approved, would encompass virtually an entire city block downtown on the oceanside facing the Boardwalk between 13th Street and 14th Street. In November, the planning commission held the requisite public hearing for the proposed planned overlay district (POD) needed to accomplish the major redevelopment project.
However, in December, the developer, NOSC, LLC, withdrew the request and pulled back the application for the POD. In a letter to town planning staff, the developer’s attorney Hugh Cropper explained the developer was proposing some significant changes to the project as it was first presented, but wanted to move forward to discuss the next steps.
Among the changes proffered by the developer was the project will now be under single ownership. The initial proposal anticipated a condominium regime form of ownership with the retail elements of the project. The developer has also engaged a consultant to add enhanced landscape in the setback areas. In addition, the developer is pursuing workforce housing opportunities within walking distance of the project.
The proposed project over 12 different lots would include 265 hotel rooms and three restaurants, including the JWB Grill with high-end steaks and seafood, the Landshark Bar and Grill and a coffee shop and provisions store in the lobby. The project would also include three outdoor pools and one indoor pool, a wellness center and gym, 14,000 square feet of flexible convention space, retail stores facing the Boardwalk and many other upscale amenities.
What a mess. This isn’t Atlantic City NJ
Projects this big should have a requirement of staff housing and parking on site.