A zoning dispute involving Black Water Relics, a business familiar to many Pocomoke City residents, is set to return before the Worcester County Commissioners on Tuesday, June 16.
The commissioners have scheduled a public hearing on Rezoning Case No. 444 at 10:30 a.m. at the Worcester County Government Center in Snow Hill. The request seeks to rezone a 0.78-acre property on Market Street near Snow Hill from A-1 Agricultural District to C-2 General Commercial District.
Black Water Relics currently operates its primary antique store at the corner of Market Street and Old Virginia Road in Pocomoke City. The rezoning request would allow the company to open a second location in an existing warehouse building near Snow Hill.
A Long-Running Zoning Dispute
The issue has been under consideration for more than two years.
Black Water Relics purchased the property in February 2023. The site contains an approximately 11,200-square-foot warehouse, an asphalt parking lot, and a small area of vacant land. Although the property was commercially zoned for decades, it was changed from commercial zoning to agricultural zoning during Worcester County’s 1992 comprehensive rezoning.
In May 2023, the company applied to have the property rezoned back to a commercial designation.
The Worcester County Planning Commission reviewed the application and unanimously recommended approval in August 2023. The Planning Commission concluded that the 1992 downzoning had created a property that was not well suited for agricultural uses and found that commercial zoning was compatible with the area’s designation as a county growth area.
Commissioners Denied Request in 2023
The matter then moved to the Worcester County Commissioners, who held a public hearing on October 17, 2023.
Supporters of the rezoning included representatives of the Snow Hill Chamber of Commerce, former Worcester County Sheriff Chuck Martin, and others who argued that the warehouse had historically been used for commercial purposes. Testimony presented during the proceedings described past uses that included a grocery outlet, warehouse operations, a shirt factory, and other commercial activities.
Despite the Planning Commission’s recommendation and public support, the commissioners voted 4-3 to deny the rezoning request.
Commissioners Joe Mitrecic, Ted Elder, and Diana Purnell voted in favor of approval, while Commissioners Chip Bertino, Caryn Abbott, Eric Fiori, and Jim Bunting voted against the request. Of note, the primary location for Black Water Relics lies within District 1 represented by Caryn Abbott.
Court Challenge Followed
Black Water Relics appealed the decision to Worcester County Circuit Court. The Circuit Court later vacated the commissioners’ denial and sent the matter back for further consideration. The case was subsequently reviewed by the Appellate Court of Maryland, which in February 2026 affirmed the lower court’s decision to remand the matter to the commissioners.
The appellate court did not order the rezoning to be approved. Instead, it concluded that the commissioners had not provided sufficient findings and analysis to allow meaningful judicial review of their decision.
Hearing Scheduled for June 16
With the case now back before county officials, the June 16 hearing will provide commissioners an opportunity to reconsider the request and develop a more detailed record regarding whether the property’s 1992 downzoning was based on a mistake of fact.
In recent weeks, Black Water Relics has encouraged supporters to attend the hearing and has asked community members to provide photographs, receipts, and other documentation that may help establish the property’s commercial history.
The public hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16, in Room 101 of the Worcester County Government Center in Snow Hill.
