JULY 18, 2024
BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
FREE
Microtel just can’t make P&Z happy Developer’s counsel scolds commission for its failure to define what it wants
RENDERING COURTESY MODES ARCHITECTURE
A Mictrotel Inn as it would look on Route 113 according to its current design. The Berlin Planning Commission wants something more in the spirit of the town’s architecture.
OPA, fire dept. sign agreement Groups wrap up eight months of negotiating with detailed memorandum By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (July 18, 2024) The Ocean Pines Association’s Board of Directors and the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department signed an agreement last week after approximately eight months of negotiations to ensure the department is set up for years to come. “The MOU (memorandum of understanding) is in perpetuity,” OPVFD President Joe Enste said. “There are specific years and terms around the new south station and the apparatus replacement schedule, but we worked collaboratively with the OPA board, with our general counsel, and our membership to make sure that the department is going to be set
TARA FISCHER/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
OPA President Rick Farr reflects the mood as Ocean Pines Fire Department President Joe Enste signs a memorandum of understanding that took eight months to negotiate.
up for the future … there are a lot of things we wanted to do to make sure the relationship we had is as solid as
it could be moving forward, and we can leave a lasting legacy here for anSee OPA Page 8
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By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (July 18, 2024) The Berlin Planning Commission heard concept plans, once again, for the proposed Microtel Inn and Suites by Wyndham on Wednesday, July 10, when the group showed dissatisfaction with the developer’s apparent lack of attention to Berlin’s historic character in the outlined architecture. As a result, the commission took no formal ‘It’s clear from action. tonight you are D e v e l o p e r s not going to tell approached the this developer Berlin Planning what needs to be Commission in March with a done for site plan to build a plan approval.’ four-story, 78unit Microtel — Attorney Mark Cropper Inn and Suites on the east side of Route 113 near Franklin Avenue. Since then, three members of the commission and the builders have discussed how to ensure the hotel matches the town’s aesthetics and remains safe. The planning commission heard the amended concept plans last week, as they told developers at a previous meeting that they wanted to see architecture more aligned with downtown Berlin’s historic charm. Since those discussions, brick at the facility’s entrance, an enclosure for the pool, cornices, Victorian-style lights, and mature trees were added to the outline. The developers maintained the plans have adequate room for emergency access, vehicles, and trash trucks and that the arrangements for storm water and landscaping are the See MICROTEL Page 3
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