Split Planning Board Puts Future Of Wonderland At Risk In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The future of Wonderland Pier is unclear following a deadlock at a nearly four-hour long Ocean City Planning Board meeting.

With a 4-4 vote on naming the property an area in need of rehabilitation, it failed, as a tie means a rejection. However, it could possibly be considered by City Council again, as Council has the power to designate the area in need of rehabilitation.

There are six criteria that needed to be met; only one is needed, and according to the attorney representing the property Keith Davis, the property met two.

However, Planning Board Chairman John Loeper, who cast the final vote to make the tie, said he was not convinced that the criteria had been met.

The meeting, held at Ocean City Music Pier instead of its normal location at City Hall, was packed with both supporters and opponents of the proposed ICONA in Wonderland luxury hotel.

The vote would not have approved the hotel; rather, it would make it easier to get variances necessary for constructing it.

Those in support of the project said it would be beneficial for the community, boosting tourism. But opponents fear that it could cause a cascading effect and change the face of the family-friendly Ocean City.

It's unclear what will come next for the property.