[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6515731,"mediaKeyId","3847690-ba263f5ce7a135c7268b9f79b1ac31a1","parentId",3847690,"title","Pocomoke council fails to adopt rezoning for 1013 Clark Avenue after public hearing","audioSeconds",1841,"startMs",1435000,"endMs",3276000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847690-ba263f5ce7a135c7268b9f79b1ac31a1&start=1435&end=3276","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847690-ba263f5ce7a135c7268b9f79b1ac31a1/thumbnail_1435000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6515731/Pocomoke-City/Worcester-County/Maryland/Pocomoke-council-fails-to-adopt-rezoning-for-1013-Clark-Avenue-after-public-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515731-e5e78d2944e2847adf300a03591344a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771215345&Signature=XZF1SdmCh8TShIbdSNQadPnRPVHXl~GcKeEddTTQN6yey0YLh2tlywaQE~boi17RTA453GIaG~p2Sovx4QrMfyYwHEwrs4rXdQibpV9bKozADaZ5cwAj5qCYnqXQdJcx7GpuabJnjKMRIw6zR1SFLiOzDT9Kv5CU6py1lckoNzs4f6Ec3NQclX74FFSAOpdD6LrTG0gTaxMP6p9P1EIfoAQwpwwRT5Ki~7JJsUWHOiW83pIHGDUWr-JYCLRP1PAdB3D4198LiLza1y7WPvcuQM~CYMbpZpHyecHKfUYlR0sO4OEVh6LD0Rp25ld02Yvhme0dsoGHGVaxZ2WTA65eTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pocomoke City, MD","date","2025-06-17T12:06:23Z","article","Pocomoke City — At its June 16 meeting, the Pocomoke City mayor and council considered Ordinance 2025-O-5, a second-reading zoning map amendment that would have rezoned 1013 Clark Avenue from R-2 (single-family) to R-3 (multifamily). After a public hearing and extended discussion that included the property owner and neighbors, a council motion to adopt the ordinance failed for lack of a second, so the rezoning was not adopted.

The mayor opened the hearing by reading the ordinance and the statutory publication requirements the city followed. Planning and zoning staff told the council the parcel at 1013 Clark had been vacant for six months or more and, under current city code, would revert to single-family status; the staff report and the Pocomoke City Planning and Zoning Commission recommended denial in an April 8, 2025 finding of facts. Planning staff also told the council that the city will need to interpret a new accessory dwelling unit (ADU) state law when it takes effect, which may create an alternative path for property owners in some cases.

Edwin Flores, owner of I Corps LLC and the applicant, said the building was originally constructed as a duplex and that its layout, existing parking and “two existing driveways” make it better suited to two units than to conversion to a single-family home. Flores said he planned to occupy one unit and rent the other at a moderate rate to help supply affordable housing in town.

Planning staff (identified in the hearing as “Miss Teller”) told the council the commission’s denial was based on the code’s vacancy and utilities standards: at the time of the commission’s inspection the property had no full utilities in operation, which triggers the code’s reversion language. Teller also noted the commission had considered the new ADU statute and that owners who live in one unit and rent another may have a separate application route once the state law is implemented.

Several neighbors spoke during the hearing. Sarah Chapman of Market Street described prior inspections and the effects of fire damage to parts of the building; other residents said older, large houses in town often function better as multifamily units because single occupants can’t afford the operating costs. Council members discussed whether the six-month vacancy threshold in the code is appropriate, whether utility reconnection should be an explicit metric and whether the city should pursue a targeted code amendment or a comprehensive-plan/zoning update to address recurring cases.

When the council returned to the question of adoption, a council member moved to adopt Ordinance 2025-O-5 but the motion received no second and therefore died. The council did not adopt the rezoning; the property remains zoned R-2 under the city map.

Council members and staff said several next steps remain possible: (1) the property owner may reapply if he can demonstrate compliance with the existing code or pursue the ADU route once the state rule is in effect; (2) the mayor and council can direct staff to draft a code amendment or comprehensive-plan change for Planning & Zoning to consider that would alter vacancy or occupancy timeframes or add a targeted “floating” zone for older, large houses; and (3) Planning & Zoning will continue to interpret how the new ADU statute applies when it takes effect.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pocomoke City Mayor and Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Pocomoke City — At its June 16 meeting, the Pocomoke City mayor and council considered Ordinance 2025-O-5, a second-reading zoning map amendment that would have rezoned 1013 Clark Avenue from R-2 (single-family) to R-3 (multifamily). After a public hearing and extended discussion that included the property owner and neighbors, a council motion to adopt the ordinance failed for lack of a second, so the rezoning was not adopted.","taxTitle","Pocomoke City, Worcester County, Maryland","taxId",53953,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6515717,"Mayor announces Brandy Matthews will become deputy city manager on July 1",290,3934000,4224000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847690-ba263f5ce7a135c7268b9f79b1ac31a1&start=3934&end=4224","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847690-ba263f5ce7a135c7268b9f79b1ac31a1/thumbnail_3934000.jpg","/articles/6515717/Pocomoke-City/Worcester-County/Maryland/Mayor-announces-Brandy-Matthews-will-become-deputy-city-manager-on-July-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515717-bb4b79c7dcce1a56fd4a5c0aa886b8d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771215345&Signature=U8BzBvjB18cMeaZVtKVaXLP4DvvL9H5K6SEmSYQ9t8L5JTd2wUPg6rlNWrre-XC4rBEo20bxVnQNM26yZ-TphzlTI2BZPSimKWnuHXn7xosLqnVz73zmvfVgrKK40BkNPDecT6oqygQ~PSdHbXSgMlQcW-l5nq1TpkgeDvQ7eW5JFtHny5JBw5DtTPfEX15nURZes~bp-v1-Af7awMZI8h9O3Hhw8GVBtTT~slfiBqhoA8bIR3oNWJp5whp3NaMLoHYAJycVDExyxzLaunRWH3gS5777hNcrUJXGDz8tShZOhvKe-X5K9DD76Y5k1wUo0eGjpj5YPe5LV8pqm2IaFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pocomoke City — At the June 16 meeting the mayor announced that Interim City Manager Brandy Matthews will be promoted to deputy city manager effective July 1, 2025, a change the mayor said is intended to expand administrative capacity while the city completes a city manager search.

The mayor praised Matthews’ day‑to‑day engagement with business owners, residents and staff and said the deputy city manager’s duties will be delineated over time to divide responsibilities between the city manager and deputy. The mayor said two final candidates have been selected to move forward for the city manager post; the mayor emphasized that Matthews’s promotion is a capacity decision rather than a final city‑manager appointment.

Matthews spoke briefly and provided operational updates later in the meeting on projects including the Cypress Park nature trail, community garden sidewalk progress, Fairgrounds wetland mitigation assessments and public‑works building preparations. The mayor said Matthews has been “visible” in the office and praised her responsiveness to residents and business owners. Council members and staff thanked Matthews and said they look forward to the posted responsibilities for the deputy role.","Pocomoke's mayor announced that Interim City Manager Brandy Matthews will be promoted to deputy city manager effective July 1; the city continues its search for a permanent city manager and the mayor said Matthews will handle a scope of responsibilities to be defined after July 1.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6515721,"Votes at a glance: Pocomoke City meeting, June 16, 2025 — budget adopted; camera and fingerprint purchases approved; rezoning motion failed; liquor permits OK'd",277,3259000,3536000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847690-ba263f5ce7a135c7268b9f79b1ac31a1&start=3259&end=3536","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847690-ba263f5ce7a135c7268b9f79b1ac31a1/thumbnail_3259000.jpg","/articles/6515721/Pocomoke-City/Worcester-County/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-Pocomoke-City-meeting-June-16-2025-budget-adopted-camera-and-fingerprint-purchases-approved-rezoning-motion-failed-liquor-permits-OKd","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515721-e4085be8fcbe2fb6cb9d743bfdf2a17a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771215345&Signature=bpCOHsJtcCPh7WKfDueir~A~rCZSSt2Wrw1JHmC9gUcgsj9~bU9MN8f~iysty9ArMsnanphK8YulvhFDmGKPoHWB-jx0Y6ZkoWL~hISTXcEQ3jXckKcrEcbw2mvnGo2QynUIZWTFdYl5JIoEtQ6qujp6rKNsKPWXrhEFuRJMKSOxQnAFf97aNtisgOa9dok9dDyfdvazHxuORfHK6mlTSbcZkMtqFXfe0~9rccwA3Gzmpv8gGc2lfBs4tGcK~4itniGiv773yFudUlUeyPGjqi-iBQpLIzbH3OFrjVonlBHn0jumDyxIjJQsxRF-iWFIKEfuY4VyEMa8LhMCD253UA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pocomoke City — The mayor and council recorded several formal actions at their June 16 meeting. Key outcomes:

• Fiscal year 2026 budget adopted (Resolution 2025‑R‑14). The council completed the second reading, held a public hearing and voted to adopt the FY2026 budget and levy. Council members praised staff for finishing the budget ahead of the statutory deadline. Motion to approve: moved and properly seconded; approved by voice vote.

• Neighborhood camera and license‑plate reader package approved. The council approved a police proposal to deploy quad cameras and a bundled LPR/shot‑detection service, funded by a combination of the city’s red‑speed fund and reallocated capital outlay; the first‑year package cost was presented as approximately $59,800. Motion to approve: moved and seconded; approved by voice vote.

• Police fingerprint station purchase approved. The council approved purchase of a replacement fingerprint station (biometric fingerprint system) from IDEMIA at a purchase price reported as $28,009.80. Staff said the purchase would be covered by existing salary savings and moved into capital outlay so the purchase would not require additional taxpayer funds. Motion to approve: moved and seconded; approved by voice vote.

• Liquor permits for Great Pocomoke Fair and associated August events approved. Council approved letters/permissions required for county liquor processing for the Great Pocomoke Fair, monster truck event and related shows (dates and event names were read into the record). Motion to approve: moved and seconded; approved by voice vote.

• Ordinance 2025‑O‑5 (rezoning 1013 Clark Avenue) not adopted. After a public hearing and discussion, a council member moved to adopt the ordinance but the motion received no second and therefore died; the rezoning was not enacted.

Votes in the meeting were recorded primarily as voice votes with motions made and seconded; the meeting transcript contains no roll‑call tallies for the listed items. Where a motion lacked a second, it did not proceed to a recorded tally.","At the June 16 Pocomoke City mayor and council meeting the body adopted the fiscal year 2026 budget (Resolution 2025-R-14), approved a police fingerprint station purchase and a neighborhood camera/LPR bundle, approved liquor permits for August events, and did not adopt Ordinance 2025-O-5 (rezoning 1013 Clark Avenue).",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6515726,"Pocomoke approves neighborhood camera package and license‑plate reader bundle to expand surveillance",335,765000,1100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847690-ba263f5ce7a135c7268b9f79b1ac31a1&start=765&end=1100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847690-ba263f5ce7a135c7268b9f79b1ac31a1/thumbnail_765000.jpg","/articles/6515726/Pocomoke-City/Worcester-County/Maryland/Pocomoke-approves-neighborhood-camera-package-and-licenseplate-reader-bundle-to-expand-surveillance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6515726-62808186859a471ee5f034151c51e67a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771215345&Signature=ZTWP5if7Itm5lfWY1FAFgubeozf4mzECgPrTdhCsV7wfBY5U4J0ftNJfn7r9UGipyqaSeVPIsGXtkk3ZT60Xu-4HTU5FFvJB04oc4tFfsOniBEXpl6qlLRVdN7BLaYdr-l27K-3t-zimRkw2KgNYyKzWlU1sMAINjA5U2yy1G~0uVlnOPNGD0iCKQ71KT5iOZiDPlalhaFX40IvjI5Zbgs1mVsfgJQ6jUaUVYXHhAmUzrs2ZJ5XnqRocUpvJcKq4PEaBITXBSO95hr-cQi7aYOx0oPgxFGoPnmQaBAZYysS1tV~Mt0s7NYQM1iEI0H7Flj7bV~RvUuN8P7enp6v1eA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pocomoke City — The Pocomoke City mayor and council on June 16 approved a police proposal to expand neighborhood surveillance with four‑lens “quad” cameras and a bundled license‑plate reader (LPR) and shot‑detection service.

Police Chief Hancock told the council the city has two trial quad cameras installed and that each camera uses four lenses; two quad units provide coverage equivalent to eight individual cameras. Chief Hancock said a package of four quad cameras would cost about $30,000 installed. He said the vendor also offered a bundled license‑plate‑reader and shot‑detector service with a one‑year, $29,800 subscription option (the company’s LPR/shot‑detection bundle requires only a one‑year commitment). Chief Hancock said the bundled deployment would be placed strategically across the city’s north, south, east and west corridors.

Chief Hancock described the features as valuable to investigations and said the department would welcome any council members to view the installed test cameras. A council speaker framed the proposal as a public‑safety measure and said “we can't put a cost on a life,” language the chief and city manager used in the item’s budget discussion.

The police presented a funding plan that repurposes existing line items rather than increasing taxes or requesting new revenue: $25,000 from the city’s red‑speed (traffic enforcement) fund, $23,000 from capital outlay previously earmarked for new patrol rifles, and $11,000 from capital outlay set aside for interior painting of the police department. Those three sources total $59,000, leaving an $800 gap the chief said he expected to cover from other departmental savings.

Councilors asked procedural questions; no members of the public spoke against the package during the item. A council member moved to approve the neighborhood camera upgrades and the motion passed on a voice vote.

The council did not adopt a long‑term contract commitment for the shot‑detection/LPR bundle beyond the first year; Chief Hancock said the bundled annual cost would be $29,800 with only a one‑year commitment required. Council members and staff said they expect to review performance and renewal options after the initial period.","The mayor and council voted to approve a package of quad cameras, license‑plate readers and a gunshot‑detection bundle with an initial estimated cost of $59,800; the council approved reallocating existing capital funds and red‑speed revenues to cover the first year, leaving an $800 shortfall noted by police.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pocomoke council fails to adopt rezoning for 1013 Clark Avenue after public hearing

Mayor announces Brandy Matthews will become deputy city manager on July 1

Votes at a glance: Pocomoke City meeting, June 16, 2025 — budget adopted; camera and fingerprint purchases approved; rezoning motion failed; liquor permits OK'd

Pocomoke approves neighborhood camera package and license‑plate reader bundle to expand surveillance