News Briefs 2/9/21

February 9, 2021

Dewey commissioners meet Feb. 12

Dewey Beach commissioners will meet virtually at 12 p.m., Friday, Feb. 12. Council will possibly vote to approve a draft ordinance to amend town code related to bulk standards in all districts, to institute the commissioner-approved lodging tax, and to approve a draft ordinance regarding parking permit fees. The full agenda and link to the meeting are available at townofdeweybeach.com.

Rehoboth Environment Committee to meet

The Rehoboth Beach Environment Committee has scheduled an online meeting for 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 11. The agenda calls for discussions on eliminating the use of plastic straws, the Dark Skies Initiative and a sustainable action plan.

Those wishing to speak must preregister with City Secretary Ann Womack at least 24 hours before the meeting by emailing awomack@cityofrehoboth.com. A full agenda and meeting materials are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. For more information, call 302-227-6181.

Special Rehoboth meeting set Feb. 12

Rehoboth Beach commissioners have scheduled an online special meeting for 10 a.m., Friday, Feb. 12.

The agenda calls for continued discussion on the formation of a Wilmington/Baltimore avenue streetscape task force, and a discussion on additional policies for commission, board and committee meetings.

Rehoboth planning commission to meet

The Rehoboth Beach Planning Commission has scheduled an online meeting for 3 p.m., Friday, Feb. 12.

The agenda calls for an update on the 2020 comprehensive development plan and continuation of the public hearing for Clear Space Theatre Company’s proposed theater complex on Rehoboth Avenue.

Lewes Pickleball Subcommittee to meet

The Lewes Pickleball Subcommittee of the parks and recreation commission will meet virtually at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 10. The group will discuss two proposed locations for a pickeball facility – behind the Lewes Public Library and at Great Marsh Park. A link to the meeting can be found on the agenda at lewes.civicweb.net.

Lewes council continues regular meeting Feb. 11

Lewes Mayor and City Council may continue its Feb. 8 monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 11, if the group is unable to get through the full agenda. Items listed toward the end of the agenda include an ordinance to establish criteria for review of historic artifacts within the cultural/historical zone, presentation and possible action on a public art display proposed for Canalfront Park this summer, and review of a contract to rehabilitate the tennis and basketball courts at Canalfront Park.

Also near the end of the agenda are action on issuance of event permits for 2021, discussion on the city’s code enforcement program, and consideration of a request to hire one to two new police officers. A link to the meeting can be found at the bottom of the agenda at lewes.civicweb.net.

Lewes Sea-Level Rise Subcommittee to meet

The Lewes Sea-Level Rise Subcommittee will meet virtually at 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 11, to continue to discuss a sea-level rise ordinance. A link to the meeting can be found on the agenda at lewes.civicweb.net.

Cape school board meets Feb. 11

The Cape Henlopen school board will meet at 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 11, at Rehoboth Elementary School. Members will take possible action on a board meeting policy, the middle school schematic design, and Phase II demo and site design/development plans for H.O. Brittingham Elementary School. The full agenda and meeting link are available at capehenlopenschools.com.

Nighttime testing of drawbridges

Nighttime testing of the drawbridges in Lewes and Rehoboth Beach will occur at the following dates and times: Lewes drawbridge between Savannah Road and Anglers Road, to 6 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 9, pending weather. Rehoboth drawbridge on Route 1A/Rehoboth Avenue between Canal Street and Atlantic Avenue, from 8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 9, to 6 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 10. Testing involves opening and closing the bridges. In between bridge openings, traffic and pedestrians will be able to cross the bridges.

Public hearing set for new Millsboro marina

The state’s Division of Water - Wetlands and Subaqueous Lands Section will conduct a public hearing at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 24, on an application for the Lawton Family Marina in Herring Creek, northwest of Sisters Lane, Millsboro.

The applicant proposes to construct a 10-slip marina consisting of a 4-foot-wide, 120-foot-long pier; six 2-foot-wide by 24-foot-long finger piers; two boat lifts with four pilings each; and 16 freestanding mooring pilings. The application also seeks to install a 16-foot-wide by 10-foot-long concrete boat ramp.

For more information and to review this application, go to de.gov/dnrechearings or contact Julie R. Molina, Division of Water, Wetlands and Subaqueous Lands Section, at 302-739-9384 or Julie.Molina@delaware.gov.

The web link to the virtual hearing can be accessed through the DNREC Public Hearings site at de.gov/dnrechearings. If prompted for a password, use: LawtonMarina. To access the audio-only portion of the virtual hearing, dial 1-408-418-9388 and enter event code 179 227 5331. Closed captioning is available if requested at least seven days before the event.

Those wishing to offer verbal comments must preregister no later than noon of the date of the virtual hearing at de.gov/dnreccomments or by telephone at 302-739-9295.

DNREC will accept public comment through the close of business Thursday, March 11. Comments will be accepted via email to DNRECHearingComments@delaware.gov, by using the online form at de.gov/dnreccomments, or by U.S. mail to Lisa A. Vest, Hearing Officer, Office of the Secretary, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901.

Delaware Independent Party elects officers

The Independent Party of Delaware held its organizational meeting Jan. 16, and unanimously elected officers Mark Turley as state chair, Catherine Stonestreet-Purcell as secretary, Wolfgang von Baumgart as secretary general, Phil Dyer as vice chair, Kathy DeMatteis as creative director, and Don Ayotte as special operations director.

The IPoD reaffirms its commitment to government reform and individual constitutional liberty in the greater public interest through a more realistic, practical and constructive post-political approach to problem-solving in the face of increasing national tensions, and partisan division.

DMHOA general meeting set Feb. 22

The Delaware Manufactured Home Owners Association will hold its monthly general membership meeting at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 22, via conference call.

To dial in, call 978-990-5000 and use access code 907460#. For best reception, use a land line. The meeting is open to anyone living in manufactured housing on leased land. For more information, visit dmhoa.org, find dmhoahu on Facebook, or call 302-945-2122.

DMHOA is a nonprofit organization and the only legislative advocate representing the interests of manufactured housing homeowners living on leased land in Delaware.