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Commissioners approve rezoning of Racetrack Plaza parcels A and B; Area C denied
Summary
After a public hearing on Rezoning Case 448, the Worcester County Commissioners approved rezoning of Areas A and B from RP to C2 and declined the rezoning of Area C. The request covered approximately 1.072 acres at 10329 Racetrack Road; the Planning Commission had recommended approval for A and B and denial for C.
Worcester County Commissioners approved rezoning for two of three segments in Rezoning Case 448 (Racetrack Plaza LLC) during a public hearing Aug. 19, 2025.
The board voted unanimously to rezone Areas A and B from RP (resource protection) to C2 (general commercial) and to exclude Area C from the rezoning. The motion to approve Areas A and B and not include Area C was made by Commissioner Bertino and seconded by Commissioner Fiore.
The applicant, represented by attorney Mark Spencer Cropper, told the board the request covers approximately 1.072 acres at 10329 Racetrack Road and described the filing as a “correction or adjustment” to align zoning with Critical Area boundaries. “All we're seeking to do is make consistent the C2 and RP zoning on this property with the critical area boundaries,” Cropper said.
Frank Lynch Jr., a licensed surveyor retained by the applicant, testified as an expert on parcel boundaries and corroborated the applicant’s exhibit and the Planning Commission’s analysis for Areas A and B. County staff and Planning Commission materials in the record described Area C as inconsistent with the draft Critical Area remapping and recommended denial for that segment.
Planning staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval for Areas A and B, citing a change in neighborhood character and infrastructure improvements that made sanitary sewer EDUs available to the defined neighborhood. Staff and the Planning Commission recommended denial for Area C on grounds that it was not consistent with the draft Critical Area map boundary.
Why it matters
The decision changes the zoning designation for two small parcels adjacent to Ocean Downs and Racetrack Road, which could affect permissible commercial uses and future permit reviews. The board’s action follows the Planning Commission’s recommendation to limit approval to the parcels that the commission found consistent with current critical-area mapping and the county’s comprehensive plan amendment.
Ending
The board closed the public hearing and recorded a unanimous vote. Any future development proposals on the rezoned parcels will follow county permitting processes and remain subject to Critical Area regulations and any applicable state approvals.
