After four hours of public comment and debate Thursday night, Ocean City leaders narrowly voted in favor of having the shore community's planning board review options for redeveloping the site of the former Gillian's Wonderland Pier amusement park.

City Council's 4-3 vote could pave the way for property owner Icona Resorts to build an eight-story, luxury hotel on the east end of the boardwalk at Sixth Street. The proposal is favored by the city's business community, whose leaders say the project would drive more tourism. Groups opposed to the plan argue it will obstruct the beachfront, create traffic problems and detract from Ocean City's family-friendly appeal.

Thursday night's outcome reverses course from an initial vote on the same resolution in August, when a 6-1 majority chose

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