News Briefs 6/28/24

Milton board gives final approval to office park variances

Milton Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a resolution giving final approval for a pair of variances related to a proposed office park at the corner of Mulberry Street Extended and Cedar Creek Road.

The resolution, approved at the board’s June 25 meeting, put into writing the rationale for the board’s approval of the two variances at its May 28 meeting. The variances, which were approved by a 3-1 vote, would permit parking in the front-yard setback on the Mulberry Street Extended side of the parcel and reduce the parking space separation to the right of way from 4 feet to 1 foot. Receiving approval for the two variances was a condition of preliminary site-plan approval for the project granted by the planning and zoning commission in March. 

The proposed office park would comprise 44 buildings with storage garages attached and a stormwater retention pond in the center. The park would be built on a 5-acre parcel adjacent to the Royal Farms planned for another 2-acre plot. Both projects are part of a greater 7-plus-acre parcel that was annexed into Milton in December 2020, then partitioned in July 2021. Planning and zoning officials approved a special-use permit and a preliminary site plan for Royal Farms in October 2021, and final site plans were approved by town council in June 2023. Actual construction has been delayed as the Delaware Department of Transportation reviews traffic plans for the site. 

The office park was always envisioned as part of the commercial complex at the site, which is zoned C-1 commercial and across the street from the Food Lion shopping center. But the delays in Royal Farms and traffic issues have slowed progress; those issues include a proposed entrance off Cedar Creek Road that would access both Royal Farms and the office park.

Cardinale drops out of Rehoboth election

Rehoboth Beach officials announced June 26 that candidate Joe Cardinale has dropped out of the city’s 2024 municipal election.

Four candidates remain – resident Suzanne Goode, nonresident Rachel Macha, resident Mark Saunders and resident Craig Thier. None of the candidates has been a commissioner before. Sitting Commissioners Toni Sharp and Tim Bennett, both residents, are not running for re-election.

To vote in Rehoboth Beach elections, voters must be at least 18; a city resident or freeholder for at least 30 days, or a 10-year leaseholder for at least six months; and registered in the city’s Book of Registered Voters. The deadline to register to vote in this election is 4:30 p.m., Thursday, July 11.

Absentee ballots became available as of June 26, and will be mailed to all who have a request form on file. Absentee ballot request forms must be filed no later than noon, Friday, Aug. 9. Absentee ballots must be received via mail or in person before polls close on election day, Saturday, Aug. 10, when polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more election information, contact city election officials Donna Moore or Steven Perry by emailing elections@cityofrehoboth.com or calling 302-227-6181, Ext. 159.

Reservations required for July 4 surf-fishing

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control reminds those who plan to drive-on surf-fish at one of Delaware State Parks’ seven multi-use beaches that reservations are required during summer weekends and holidays. Drive-on surf-fishing reservations for Thursday, July 4, opened June 27.

Drive-on reservations for each weekend open weekly, beginning Tuesdays for the upcoming Saturday and Wednesdays for the upcoming Sunday, and are available until sold out for that weekend.

Reservations are required for annual and two-year surf-fishing permits to drive onto Delaware State Parks beaches weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2. Reservations are not required Monday through Friday, except for holidays. Reservations for holidays will become available the Thursday prior. Off-peak surf-fishing permits do not qualify for reservations because they are for use during only non-peak times.

Reservations may be made at destateparks.com/surftagsales or via phone at 800-499-8221 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays, and from 8 a.m. to noon on weekends and holidays. Reservations are first-come, first-served.

Reservation confirmations must be printed and displayed in the registered vehicle for enforcement verification. Annual and two-year surf-fishing permit holders with reservations are allowed access into the park for surf-fishing, even if a park gate is closed, when day-use parking capacity has been reached.

Lewes council to hold public hearing July 1

Lewes Mayor and City Council will hold a public hearing at 5:30 pm, Monday, July 1, at the Rollins Center.

The panel will take comments on a proposed lodging tax of up to 3% and a proposed 1% increase in the gross rental receipts tax on short-term rentals.

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

Sussex council awards nonprofit grants

Sussex County Council presented the following councilmanic grants during its June 25 meeting: $3,000 to Town of Delmar for its State Street Park shade project; $1,000 to Town of Bridgeville for the police department’s Back to School Bash; $6,000 to Town of Greenwood for its revitalization project town square; and $9,325 to Make-A-Wish Foundation Wishes Transforming Lives in Sussex County project.

Sussex council off July 2 and 9

Sussex County Council will not meet Tuesday, July 2, or Tuesday, July 9. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, July 16.

Sussex County offices closed July 4

Sussex County government offices will be closed Thursday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. Offices will reopen at 8:30 a.m., Friday, July 5.

Dewey committees combined

Dewey Beach commissioners voted unanimously June 21 to combine the investment committee and budget and finance committee into a single finance committee, largely to ensure a quorum when committees are meeting. 

Investments will continue to be guided by the town investment committee. Commissioners tabled discussion of a possible code amendment that would place a cap on the infrastructure fund. 

Rezoning date changed in Dewey

Dewey Beach commissioners voted unanimously June 21 to reconsider the Oct. 1 rezoning date set for the property at 24 Houston St., and to establish a new effective date of June 21 to allow owners to begin development of the property, which formerly housed the Sea Esta Motel, into three residential homes.

Milton Town Council meets July 1

Milton Town Council will meet at 6:30 p.m., Monday, July 1, at Milton library. Under new business, council will discuss final approval of the purchase of land at 102 Collins St. 

The house on the parcel is planned for demolition and the town will use the land for flood mitigation.

Council will hear a request from Henry and Patty Schott to partition 610 Palmer St., hear a request by Park Royal Ltd. for tax-exempt status for 501 Palmer St., and discuss an ordinance related to trailers and camping.

Finally, council will discuss three resolutions: one that would set a public hearing on an ordinance that would prohibit the operation of a marijuana cultivation or product manufacturing facility in town, another that would adopt a guide to rehabilitation and construction in the historic district and, lastly, a resolution to create an inventory of town parks. 

Milton Historic commission to meet 

Milton Historic Preservation Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m., Monday, July 1, at Milton library to hear one case.

George Short, 416 Federal St., is seeking approval to repair his home’s front and side porch.