News Briefs 06/05/20

Virtual hearings at June 9 Sussex meeting
Sussex County Council will have a teleconference meeting at 1 p.m., Tuesday, June 9. Council has scheduled virtual public hearings for the first time since the COVID-19 state of emergency was declared.

Included on the agenda is a hearing on a commercial rezoning application for an 11-acre parcel at the intersection of Route 9 and Fisher Road between Lewes and Harbeson for the proposed Plaza 9 shopping complex. Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the application. See a complete agenda at www.sussexcountyde.gov. To listen to the meeting, phone 800-988-0494 and enter passcode 1695792.

Sussex can process outdoor requests
As part of the state’s Phase 1 reopening, food and drink establishments are allowed to expand outdoor seating from June 1 through July 31.
As directed by state officials, Sussex officials developed an online application to apply for outdoor seating. The application can be found at www.sussexcountyde.gov/expanded-outdoor-seating-application. In the first week, the Sussex County planning and zoning department processed 11 applications.

Rehoboth commissioner workshop set June 8
Rehoboth Beach commissioners have scheduled an online workshop for 9 a.m., Monday, June 8. The agenda calls for continued discussion on two old subjects – updates to how the city calculates gross floor area and a newsstand ordinance.

Members of the public will be allowed to participate in the special meeting, but with limited access. Members of the public who wish to speak will be required to preregister with Ann Womack, city secretary, at awomack@cityofrehoboth.com at least two full business days prior to the meeting.

Citizen comment will be administered by a moderator. Speaking is not allowed until called upon. Members of the public can also submit comments electronically to Womack. All comments shall be submitted at least two full business days prior to the meeting date. Meeting materials are accessible on the city’s portal at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. For more information, call 302-227-6181.

Special Rehoboth meeting set June 9
Rehoboth Beach has scheduled a special commissioner meeting for 3 p.m., Tuesday, June 9. The meeting will take place virtually. The agenda calls for further discussion on a comprehensive action plan for reopening the city from restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members of the public will be allowed to participate in the special meeting, but with limited access. Members of the public who wish to speak will be required to preregister with Ann Womack, city secretary, at awomack@cityofrehoboth.com at least two full business days prior to the meeting.
Citizen comment will be administered by a moderator. Speaking is not allowed until called upon. Members of the public can also submit comments electronically to Womack. All comments shall be submitted at least two full business days prior to the meeting date.
Meeting materials are accessible on the city’s portal at www.cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. For more information, call 302-227-6181.

Lewes council meets June 8
Lewes Mayor and City Council will meet virtually at 2 p.m., Monday, June 8. The group will receive an update on the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss the city’s phased reopening. Officials will set a public hearing for the proposed rezoning of city-owned property on Milford Avenue from R-3 to Open Space. They will consider an ordinance to create a new Chapter 64 regarding beneficial-use appeals, receive a presentation from the Delaware Department of Transportation on plans to place steel plates in the center of the travel lanes on the Savannah Road drawbridge, and consider a recommendation from the planning commission regarding a minor subdivision and lot line adjustment. A link to the meeting can be found at www.lewes.civicweb.net. 

Sussex awards $15,000 for museum
Sussex County Council awarded councilmanic grants during its June 2 meeting of $3,500 to Partnership for the Delaware Estuary for the Mispillion and Cedar Creek Watershed and Ecotourism Investment Strategy, and $15,000 to Georgetown Historical Society to house a donated Western Auto Museum. Council also awarded a $5,000 youth grant to Harry K Foundation for the Halt Hunger Program.