News Briefs 5/14/21

Eastbound Route 24 will close at night

Eastbound Route 24 from Mulberry Knoll Road to Route 1 will be closed to traffic from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., Monday, May 17, to Thursday, May 20, during the ongoing widening project. Other dates may be included as well. Traffic will be detoured to Mulberry Knoll Road.

Special meeting set May 19 on Clear Space 

Rehoboth Beach commissioners have scheduled a special meeting for 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 19. According to the agenda, the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the potential reconsideration of the Monday, June 14 hearing date for the Rehoboth Clear Space/Spotlight appeals.

The agenda does not call for any public comment. Any member of the public who would like to submit comments electronically can send them to Ann Womack, city secretary, at awomack@cityofrehoboth.com. All comments shall be submitted at least two full business days prior to the meeting date to allow for proper distribution.

Villages of Five Points road work scheduled

The Villages of Five Points will begin a road work and repaving project on or about Wednesday, May 19. The roadwork will impact North Village Main Boulevard and East Austin Street. 

Intermittent detours will be in place during active work periods. Work is expected to last approximately four to five weeks. During detours, access will be rerouted for CVS, County Bank, Villages of Five Points downtown businesses and Villages of Five Points Shopping Center.

Robinson Drive closed through June 15

Robinson Drive between Route 1 and Silver Lake Drive in Rehoboth Beach will remain closed through Tuesday, June 15, for the installation of sidewalks, ADA ramps, drainage work and road resurfacing. At all times, local traffic and residents will have access. Detour routes: Eastbound: Bayard Avenue/Silver Lake Drive to Rehoboth Avenue and left on Rehoboth Avenue to State Road. Motorists will then turn left onto State Road and left onto Route 1. Westbound: Route 1 to Route 1B with exit onto State Road. Motorists will turn right onto Rehoboth Avenue and then a right onto Bayard Avenue/Silver Lake Drive. Detour signage will be posted.

Sussex council will not meet May 18

Sussex County Council will not meet Tuesday, May 18. The next regularly scheduled meeting is at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 25, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.

New Lewes council meets May 17

The two new members of Lewes City Council will be sworn in prior to the Monday, May 17 meeting set for 6:30 p.m. 

Mayor Ted Becker will then announce the new roles and committee appointments for council, as Carolyn Jones and Khalil Saliba take over for former Deputy Mayor Bonnie Osler and former Secretary Rob Morgan. 

The agenda includes possible action on two controversial ordinances related to building standards in the excellent recharge area and within the 100- and 500-year flood plains. 

There is also an agenda item related to a six-month moratorium on application of requirements of the source water protection ordinance on properties between the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal and the Delaware Bay. Also, council will consider the creation of an ad hoc committee to make recommendations on possible code amendments to address sea-level rise. 

Other items on the agenda include possible changes to the outdoor mask mandate and a decision on Fourth of July fireworks. 

Council will also consider waiver requests for the Virden subdivision off Kings Highway, a request for the city to pave Alaska Avenue, a request for a license to place stone on a city paper street adjacent to 18 Cape Henlopen Drive, and amendments to city code related to parking. 

Council will set public hearings for the final site plan for Lewes Waterfront Preserve, for the rezoning of the former Lewes Dairy property on Pilottown Road and for the site plan for the new Lewes Middle School. 

A link to the meeting can be found on the agenda at lewes.civicweb.net. 

Lewes annexation subcommittee meets

The Annexation Subcommittee of the Lewes Planning Commission will meet at 2 p.m., Monday, May 17. The group will continue to discuss the city’s annexation zones as they relate to the cluster ordinance and open space. A link to the meeting can be found on the agenda at lewes.civicweb.net. 

Dewey planners hold public hearing May 18

The Dewey Beach Planning and Zoning Commission will hold two virtual public hearings at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 18. There will be discussion and possible votes to recommend draft ordinances regarding amending zoning code to allow carryout-only eateries to not be required to have a public restroom, and an application for an eatery to sell carryout-only ice cream. A link is at townofdeweybeach.com.

Dewey marketing committee to meet

The Dewey Beach Marketing Committee will meet virtually at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, May 20. Members will possibly vote on ideas to secure donations from the public for the town beautification project, and discuss the David Ashby Memorial Run set for October. A link is available at townofdeweybeach.com.

Dewey commissioners meet May 14

Dewey Beach commissioners will hold a virtual public hearing and meeting at 4 p.m., Friday, May 14. A public hearing and possible vote will be held regarding the use of infrastructure funds for rehabilitation of stormwater repair work on Bayard and Read avenues. Commissioners may also vote to approve an ordinance amending town code regarding underage possession or consumption of alcohol, to approve an ordinance regarding beach and baywalk rules on Van Dyke Avenue bayside, and to approve a wireless facilities consultant. The link is at townofdeweybeach.com.

RD20 Democratic Committee to meet

The Delaware 20th Representative District’s Democratic Committee will hold its regular monthly committee meeting at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 20, via Zoom. Delaware Democratic Party Chair Betsy Maron will discuss her vision for keeping the party strong and winning elections, and share details about the Delaware Democratic Party Convention in June. Sarah Fulton will discuss her role as political and communications director for the Delaware Democratic Party, a newly established position. 

To be placed on the email list, email rd20.deldems@gmail.com.