Coalition again marina expansion readies mailing
By Chip Bertino

Upset by the proposed expansion of the marina facilities at the Ocean Pines Swim and Racquet Club, the Ocean Pines Against the Marina Group is preparing a mailing to go to all Ocean Pines property owners asking for signatures on a petition to place the expansion question on a referendum ballot.

"We expect to get the mailing out during the next couple of weeks," Charlie Herpen told The Courier recently.  Mr. Herpen hopes the response from the mailing will be enough to accrue the 825 signatures necessary to place the issue on a referendum and give property owners the opportunity to stop the project.

Logistical problems including working out the details of a mailing permit and printing the material that will be mailed have slowed the process. 

Mr. Herpen's group admittedly faces an uphill battle to stop the expansion.  The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) held a public hearing May 26, soliciting comments from interested parties and groups.

During the hearing Ocean Pines Association (OPA) General Manager Dave Ferguson, OPA President Dan Stachurski and OPA's engineering consultant Steve Soule presented an overview of the project to date and outlined the process by which the OPA had determined that expansion of the facility was needed.

At the hearing Mr. Herpen expressed concern over potential boat traffic, noise, pollution and the impact on the environment. 

The project would expand by 56 the number of slips available from the current 21.  The facility would be upgraded to floating docks similar to what exists at the Yacht Club.  There are no plans for a fuel facility, fish cleaning area or ship's store. 

Various costs have been associated with the project ranging from $480,000 to $700,000.  According to Mr. Stachurski the funds would be borrowed to rehabilitate the area in a loan to extend over 20 or 30 years.  The amortized annual cost of the loan would be combined with the operating costs involved in maintaining the slips and then divided by the number of slips to get the annual rental rate.  It is projected that the project would pay for itself within seven or eight years.

Presently the cost for renting a slip at the Swim and Racquet Club is $900.  At the Yacht Club the cost is $1,250 per season for boats under 26 feet.  There are 85 names on a waiting list for slips in the community. 

If the MDE and COE approve the permits the OPA is expected to go ahead with the project. 

According to Section 4.09 of the By-Laws of Ocean Pines issues for referendum action may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by the filing with the Secretary of the Association, who at this time is Heather Cook, of a petition signed by voting members in good standing representing at least 10% of the total voting units.  Within 60 days the board must hold a hearing on the proposal, giving 15 days notice to the membership that such a meeting is to occur.  No more than 15 days following the meeting a mail ballot must be sent to all voting members.  There must be a majority affirmative vote for the proposal to become effective. 

The mailing to property owners must contain an explanation of the proposal and a statement of position by the board.

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