OCEAN CITY, NJ — Rumors are constantly swirling regarding the future of Gillian’s Wonderland Pier once it closes. The one that’s sticking the most, it seems, is that current owner and CEO of Icona Resorts Eustace Mita will turn the property into a luxury hotel. That’s sparked concerns from dozens of residents, who fear that a liquor license would be automatically issued to such a hotel in a town that’s been alcohol-free since its founding in 1879.
Those fears are unfounded, city officials insisted, as that rumor is not supported by law – and City Council said they would do whatever they needed to keep Ocean City a dry town.
“Building a large hotel doesn’t automatically entitle the owner to a hotel license to sell alcohol in Ocean City, as the rumors seem to be going around town,” Councilman Dave Winslow said at a recent meeting.
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RELATED: Readers Share Decades Of Gillian’s Wonderland Pier Memories
City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson explained that there would be “several hurdles” to overcome if someone wanted to get a liquor license in Ocean City for any purpose.
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Basically, she said, City Council has exclusive jurisdiction over deciding whether or not a business could have a liquor license. And they don’t seem interested in changing how Ocean City has always been.
Council would have to amend Ordinance 8423, prohibiting the sale of alcohol, in order for changes to occur. Winslow and Councilman Keith Hartzell both said they would never do that.
McCrosson also said many Ocean City properties are deed-restricted against the sale of alcohol as well.
“Only this City Council, not the mayor, only us, seven of us, amend the ordinance,” Winslow said. He also explained that hotels are not allowed in the Boardwalk zone, and that changes to that would also have to go through either Council or a use variance by the zoning board.
RELATED: Save Iconic Wonderland Ferris Wheel, Ocean City Residents Say
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