Controversial Chincoteague waterpark approved
The Chincoteague Town Council voted Monday night to approve a conditional use permit for a waterpark on Chincoteague Island.
The motion to approve the permit at the 2.5-acre former Maddox Family Campground passed in a 5-1 vote and ended a lengthy development period where residents argued if the project would change the landscape of the town.
The meeting was moved from council chambers in the town municipal center across the street to the Chincoteague Center to accommodate the large crowd.
The proposed project by Blue Water Development Corporation from Berlin, Maryland, lies within the towns C-4 Resort Commercial zoning district but required the permit to open the park to the public in addition to campground patrons.
The town's planning commission had approved a recommendation be sent to the town council in a 3-2 vote on Jan. 17.
BACKGROUND: Chincoteague waterpark closer to becoming reality
Overall, 13 individuals spoke during the public hearing portion of the Monday meeting with 10 speaking outright against the project or voicing concerns and three speaking in favor.
"As you already may know, my wife and I are passionately opposed to this waterpark because we believe it will change the character of Chincoteague forever," said Paul Brzozowski.
Brzozowski spoke vehemently against the project and held aloft photographs taken at Jolly Roger’s Splash Mountain waterpark in Ocean City as an example of what he felt stood in stark contrast to the "natural setting" of Chincoteague.
Reid Thornton voiced his support for the waterpark and cited tourism as the driving force.
"Tourism not only has provided me with a job since I was 14 but has also provided the town a lot of money over the years. It's definitely the largest business we have," said Thornton. "We are a town that is built off that industry and it will continue to grow. You cannot stop that."
RELATED: Chincoteague waterpark plan sparks public outcry
The discussion amongst the council revolved mainly around the height of proposed waterslides, sunshades and safety railings and the recommended requirement of a decommission plan and bond.
The town's zoning ordinance states that no habitable structure may be erected above 36 feet in height. However, the proposed safety features would have exceeded that height by 8 feet for a total of 43 feet. Additionally, the planning commission had recommended a decommission plan be required in addition to a bond to ensure a timeline and finances should the park fall into disrepair or close entirely.
Councilman Edward Lewis took issue with requiring the bond.
“We’ve not done it to nobody else and I don’t think he should be the first," said Lewis.
“My vote would be to eliminate that decommissioning idea in its entirety," added Councilman Jim Freese.
Councilwoman Denise Bowden spoke on a broad range of topics including addressing concerns of emergency vehicle access, the height ordinance and her responsibility as a politician.
Bowden said she had developed a habit of carrying around a small notebook to record the thoughts and opinions of residents she had encountered since November.
Bowden tallied the results of from Nov. 1, 2016 to Feb. 16, 2017 and concluded that 583 individuals indicated their support for the project, 274 indicated their aversion and 117 didn't care either way.
“I’m here to represent the majority of the people," said Bowden. "If this passes and conditions are set forth I can make a guarantee that I will personally ensure that the conditions are being met."
Ben Ellis, the council liaison to the planning commission, spoke outright against the project and read from the introductory statement from the town's comprehensive plan. Ellis stated that the project flies in the face of the historic and cultural character of the town.
"I do not think that this proposal is consistent with the comprehensive plan of the town," he said.
Ellis views the town's residents as being overwhelmingly opposed to the project.
"I think if we're honest with each other we know the consensus of the community," said Ellis. "There is no doubt about what the community consensus is."
John P. Custis, who represents Oceanside Resort LLC, a subsidiary of the Blue Water Development Corporation, gave a presentation addressing many concerns of the residents.
Blue Water owns properties up and down the Delmarva Peninsula, including the Commander Hotel in Ocean City, Sunset Beach Resort in Cape Charles, Bethany Beach Ocean Suites in Bethany and recently acquired Pine Shores Golf Course on Route 611 in Berlin, which it intends to convert into a campground.
RELATED: Proposed campsite on Route 611 faces pushback
The company also owns the Fairfield Inn and Suites and The Jackspot restaurant on Chincoteague.
The council voted following discussion of the seven proposed conditions refined by the planning commission during the January meeting regarding color scheme, permissible maximum height of slides and safety measures, overflow parking, fencing, a potential decommission plan, impact to wetlands and future permitting.
The Monday approval of the conditional use permit was granted by town officials with following conditions:
- 36 feet height total for the slides, canopies and safety railings,
- Overflow parking containing 50 additional spaces provided by the property owners,
- A fence around the waterpark that would be a 6-foot chainlink fence with a green, vinyl cover,
- A decommission plan in case of closure of park that does not require a bond,
- No impact to tidal wetlands and marshes, and
- Any deviation, alteration or expansion of the plan shall require the permitting process again.
Correction: This article has been updated to correct plans for the former Pine Shore Golf Course site. The conversion of the former golf course on Route 611 in Berlin, Maryland, by Blue Water only includes plans for a campground.