By a 4-3 vote the Worcester County Commissioners approved a rezoning a parcel of agricultural land on Route 589 to commercial use by developer Jack Burbage.
This will make the way for a new medical complex on 30 acres of land just south of Ocean Pines.
Commissioner Jim Purnell said that the development would create needed jobs.
Despite the endorsement by the hospital the project drew a number of Ocean Pines residents who spoke out against the rezoning.
Jeanne Lynch, a former county planner and former county commissioner said that the applicant had not demonstrated that there had been either a zoning mistake or a change in the neighborhood that would allow for rezoning.
Ocean Pines resident Randy Romblad also said he feared other properties would seek rezoning as a result of the commissioner’s decision.
