Ocean City's planning board has dealt another blow to luxury hotel plans for a shuttered amusement park property, rejecting a measure that would have allowed the project to move forward. The site of former Gillian's Wonderland Pier was deemed not suitable for rehabilitation due to concerns raised by residents and business owners.
Icona Resorts' CEO Eustace Mita had been lobbying for zoning relief at the site since 2021, when he purchased the debt-burdened property. He had requested the site be designated as an area in need of rehabilitation, a distinction that applies to sites that are significantly deteriorated or underutilized.
However, the planning board voted 4-4 against Mita's request, resulting in a rejection. This decision will now go to Ocean City Council, which has been divided on how to redevelop the property.
Despite a narrow approval of his initial request by city council last December, Vice President Pete Madden said that the planning board's recommendation is non-binding and may not be followed. "We went to the planning board like we would call an attorney for advice," he explained. "That doesn't mean we have to follow it."
Madden fears that the planning board's vote will delay a decision about the future of the property, with city council meeting again on January 22 to address the issue. If the site is not designated as a rehabilitation zone, it will be reviewed separately in a broader evaluation of zoning along the entire boardwalk.
Icona Resorts had received bids for the property from Virginia-based developer Ryan Homes and the family of Philip and George Norcross, but Mita has said he will sell the property if the hotel project isn't approved. The company's future plans remain uncertain.
While some argue that a designation as an area in need of rehabilitation would have allowed for more flexible redevelopment, others welcome the planning board's decision, saying it prevents over-development and protects the site's original character.
Icona Resorts' CEO Eustace Mita had been lobbying for zoning relief at the site since 2021, when he purchased the debt-burdened property. He had requested the site be designated as an area in need of rehabilitation, a distinction that applies to sites that are significantly deteriorated or underutilized.
However, the planning board voted 4-4 against Mita's request, resulting in a rejection. This decision will now go to Ocean City Council, which has been divided on how to redevelop the property.
Despite a narrow approval of his initial request by city council last December, Vice President Pete Madden said that the planning board's recommendation is non-binding and may not be followed. "We went to the planning board like we would call an attorney for advice," he explained. "That doesn't mean we have to follow it."
Madden fears that the planning board's vote will delay a decision about the future of the property, with city council meeting again on January 22 to address the issue. If the site is not designated as a rehabilitation zone, it will be reviewed separately in a broader evaluation of zoning along the entire boardwalk.
Icona Resorts had received bids for the property from Virginia-based developer Ryan Homes and the family of Philip and George Norcross, but Mita has said he will sell the property if the hotel project isn't approved. The company's future plans remain uncertain.
While some argue that a designation as an area in need of rehabilitation would have allowed for more flexible redevelopment, others welcome the planning board's decision, saying it prevents over-development and protects the site's original character.
Icona Resorts has been pushing so hard for a luxury hotel at Gillian's Wonderland Pier but now its all falling apart 
The planning board rejected their request to designate it as an area in need of rehabilitation which means the city council will have to decide on the future of the property again 
I think its kinda sad that Icona Resorts is getting close to losing out on this huge deal tho 
Ryan Homes and the Norcross family were bidding on it too so now theres all sorts of uncertainty surrounding it 
the fact that Icona Resorts had 2 try 2 get away w/ rehab zoning is just crazy... I mean, who wouldn't wanna turn a creepy old pier into a luxury hotel? 
but it's all good, bc in the end, it seems like they realized the site just isn't suitable. 
this is like, such a big deal for their luxury hotel plans 
Mita had been pushing hard since 2021 and now it seems like he'll have to regroup 
it would've meant more flexibility but some ppl think it was a bad idea 
It's not just about whether the site should be designated as an area in need of rehabilitation, but what kind of redevelopment plans are on the table if it doesn't happen.
. The city council's divided views are making me think that we're not gonna see any concrete decisions anytime soon...
. And what's with all these different opinions on whether this makes the site unsuitable for rehab? Can't we just try and find a solution that works for everyone? 
. I mean, I get why Icona Resorts wanted to push through with their plans, but I think the planning board made a solid call here. The site has been abandoned for a while, it's not like it was still bustling with activity back when Gillian's Wonderland Pier was operating.
. But now that it's been rejected, I think it's better for the community that they're taking a step back and evaluating it with all the other zoning changes along the boardwalk.
. I mean, who wouldn't want a luxury hotel at an old pier? It sounds like a dream come true for Mita and his Icona Resorts... but not so much for the people living there 
. Apparently they were worried about over-development and ruining the site's original character 
