City compromises on First Baptist sidewalk conditions

The First Baptist Church of Lewes reached a compromise with city officials on sidewalk requirements that could have forced the church to abandon plans for a new building on Kings Highway.

Mayor and city council voted unanimously at its Feb. 12 meeting to relieve the church from some of the 10 conditions it attached to the approval of a preliminary site plan in January 2023.

But, the panel did not budge on the condition that a sidewalk be built along Mariner’s Way, which is also known as Bay Breeze Drive. Instead, it agreed to waive half of its building permit fee to give the church some relief.

“The idea that a sidewalk would be built across the front on Kings Highway, terminate at Mariner’s Way and not be extended, is against what we’ve said about providing connectivity,” said Councilman Tim Ritzert.

The sidewalk is expected to cost $31,000. The church’s obligation will now be about $10,000. 

The Rev. Jon Reddick had been seeking relief from some of the 10 conditions, saying the added costs could sink the building plan altogether.

“This is a win-win for everybody,” Reddick said. “It is doable thanks to the relief from some of the other conditions.”

He thanked the city for being sympathetic to the impact on the nonprofit.

Mayor and city council urged Reddick to continue discussion with the neighboring Jefferson Apartments and Bay Breeze homeowners association to try to get help paying for its portion of the sidewalk. Both communities have told the church they cannot contribute any money. 

Council dropped a condition for a sidewalk at the rear of the property and removed a requirement for a bond for the Kings Highway sidewalk. The Delaware Department of Transportation requires that sidewalk, but it could be torn up later as part of the agency’s widening and intersection improvement plan.

The panel also gave its blessing to a revised landscaping plan that was designed with the help of the Historic Lewes Byway Committee, and a reimagined exterior design for the north-facing side of the building.

First Baptist is planning to replace its 60-year-old building with a new one in the same location at the gateway to Lewes. The total cost of the project is expected to be $3 million.

Reddick said they are still waiting for final approval from the fire marshal and other agencies, but he hopes construction of the new building can start as soon as possible.