News Briefs 5/12/23

Lewes parks and rec meeting May 15

The Lewes Parks & Recreation Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m., Monday, May 15, at the Rollins Center.

The agenda includes updates on the Public Art Committee, Friends of Canalfront Park and Community Garden, followed by discussion and possible action on parks and marina website updates, and allowing recognition of donated amenities or funds from for-profit entities in city parks, rights of way and other public spaces.

See the meeting agenda and link at lewes.civicweb.net.

Lewes tree group will meet May 16

The Lewes Planning Commission Tree Ordinance Subcommittee will meet at 3 p.m., Tuesday, May 16, at the Rollins Center. The group will continue to discuss a potential tree construction ordinance and possible educational opportunities.

See the meeting agenda and link at lewes.civicweb.net.

Milton planners to meet May 16

Milton Planning and Zoning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 16, at Grace Church, with three public hearings on the agenda.

First up is Dr. Paul Brown, representing Cypress Grove Milton LLC, who is requesting site-plan approval to construct a professional building at the Cypress Grove property on Route 16. Next, Peak Management LLC is seeking preliminary site-plan approval to build a storage facility on Route 16. This application was discussed at the commission’s April 18 meeting, but the public record was left open to allow the applicant to provide additional information on stormwater management, lighting and landscaping plans.

Lastly, DEStorage is requesting preliminary site-plan approval to build a storage complex at the corner of Route 16 and Palmer Street Extended. The commission also previously heard this application but left the record open to allow the applicant to provide more information on lighting, landscaping and architectural plans.

These items will be discussed later in the meeting, with votes possible.

The commission will hear a request from Royal Farms for final site-plan approval to build a convenience store and gas station at the corner of Route 16 and Union Street Extended. Preliminary approval was granted in October 2021, but the project has been slowed by planning and state approvals for traffic improvements at the intersection.  Fernmoor Homes is requesting final site-plan approval for Phase 9A and 9B of the Heritage Creek subdivision. 

Planners will discuss two advisory reports for town council; the first is on an ordinance related to the historic district, while the other is on whether or not chickens should be allowed to be kept within town limits.

Milton streets group to meet May 16

Milton Streets and Sidewalks Committee will meet at 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 16, at the Cannery Village clubhouse to discuss a five-year plan for street maintenance.

The committee will hear an update on a new stop sign in Heritage Creek, and discuss a sidewalk going to the post office, and fines for uncleared snow and ice on sidewalks. 

Rehoboth to start pay-to-park season

The pay-to-park season in Rehoboth Beach begins Monday, May 15, and runs through Friday, Sept. 15.  All meters are $3 an hour, in effect 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and head-in parking is required. 

All parking meters have a 12-hour maximum limit with the exception of 30-minute spaces and at Grove Park. Meters are payable using quarters, credit card or Parkmobile. All 30-minute spaces and accessible spaces require payment during parking meter season. 

Parking permits are required 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in all non-metered areas within city limits. There are daily, weekend, weekly, seasonal and partial-season permits available.

Permits may be purchased at the parking department, 1 City Hall Drive, and daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the summer season at two kiosks – 408 Rehoboth Ave. and in the 700 block of Bayard Avenue. Scooter permits are only available at the parking department.

For more information, go to cityofrehoboth.com, stop by the parking department, call 302-227-6181 or email information@cityofrehoboth.com.

Biden expected in town this weekend

According to the Week Ahead Guidance and Press Schedule from the White House issued Sunday, May 7, President Joe Biden is expected to be at his North Shores home beginning Saturday, May 13. In advance, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a restricted flight area notice May 11 that goes into effect Saturday, May 13, and ends Monday, May 15.

Security measures taken when Biden is in town that may affect the public include:

Restrictions at Gordons Pond. The park’s parking lot is just around the corner from Biden’s home and is used as a landing site for Marine One.

The FAA’s temporary flight restrictions limit use of the airspace from Dover south to Ocean City, Md., and west to the Maryland border.

The Coast Guard establishes security zones in the ocean area immediately in front of North Shores beach and in the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal.

Marketplace restaurant plans on hold

Because of a waiver request to opt out of regulations in the highway corridor overlay zone, a proposed site plan for Rehoboth Marketplace, a restaurant located off Route 1 and Miller Road near Rehoboth Beach, could not be acted on by Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission at its April 27 meeting.

The waiver request must be handled by the Sussex County Board of Adjustment.

The plan includes a 3,062-square-foot restaurant and 400-square-foot patio with 30 parking spaces in an existing 81,000-square-foot commercial area. Developer Gannos LLC is also asking for a waiver from the required 60 parking spaces. The developer claims the parking spaces should be calculated on the 1,500 square feet of patron-use area, not the total building footprint.

Lewes promotes Bike to Work Day May 19

The City of Lewes encourages in-town and area residents to bike to work Friday, May 19.

Mayor Andrew Williams and bicycle and pedestrian committee members will lead a bike ride through downtown Lewes at 8 a.m., starting at the Lewes library trailhead near Monroe Avenue. Riders under age 18 must wear helmets; all riders are encouraged to do so.

For details, contact Parks and Marina Manager Janet Reeves at 302-645-7777, Ext. 100.