The Worcester County, Maryland Planning Commission recently voted unanimously to reject the Casino at Ocean Downs’ request to waive the requirement for a pedestrian sidewalk in front of the casino. Casino General Manager Bobbi Sample had requested the waiver due to concern over liability issues, since neighboring properties did not have sidewalks. But Commissioner Jerry Barbierri said, “We’ve got to start somewhere.”
Sample told commissioners casino management worried the property would be the only parcel in that section of Route 589 with a sidewalk, encouraging pedestrians to walk along the busy roadway even though a narrow shoulder borders most of it. “We feel it’s not in our best interest from a liability standpoint. Our property would be the only safe property for them,” Sample said. Commission member Jay Knerr stated he already saw pedestrians and bicyclists on the shoulder of the road. “It would make sense to me to have a sidewalk,” he said.
Sample also noted the casino was sold in 2016 and the new owners only recently became aware that the site plan for the 35,000 square foot table-games expansion, currently under construction, included a pedestrian sidewalk. She said casino officials wanted to install a sidewalk when neighboring properties also installed them. “Anyone that gets injured on our property or adjacent to our property, our pocket is going to be the one they’re going to try to reach into,” she said.
Realizing commissioners supported a sidewalk in front of the casino, Sample asked for a delay, since a neighboring store was installing new pipe that would disturb any new sidewalk. Commissioners recommended the casino complete the sidewalk within 180 days.
