Worcester County board approves Surf and Betty’s license pending updated site plan

The Worcester County Board of License Commissioners voted to approve an application to issue a Class B, seven‑day alcoholic beverage license for a Surf and Betty’s location at 1201 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, but the board held issuance until the applicant submits an updated site plan showing both units and the licensed premises.

Attorney Mark Spencer, representing North OC Benny’s Inc., told the board the proposed premises consist of two internal units: Unit 1 for carryout and Unit 2 for dining, with a combined seating capacity of 42 — "32 at tables, 10 on bar" — and no live entertainment or DJ planned. Spencer said the operator will place three speakers and two TVs in Unit 2 and that Unit 1 is intended for carryout only.

The board raised a compliance concern about customers carrying alcoholic beverages between the two connected units if both are not explicitly included in the licensed premises. The chair and staff said they would withhold final license issuance until the applicant provides a site plan that clearly shows the opening between Unit 1 and Unit 2 and whether the licensed premises will include both spaces. Licensing staff had earlier described late renewals and missing documents for other businesses and noted a $50‑a‑day impact for applications not filed by the April 30 deadline.

A commissioner moved to approve the application as described, the motion was seconded, and the board closed the hearing and approved the application subject to the site‑plan condition. The board recorded no on‑the‑record objections during the hearing.

The next step is for the applicant to deliver the required site plan to licensing staff; license issuance will follow after staff confirms the plan meets the board’s requirement.