Rehoboth seeking year-long extension on comprehensive plan

Rehoboth Beach Planning Commission has asked state officials for a year-long extension on its 2020 comprehensive development plan.

During a meeting Sept. 13, the planning commission voted unanimously in favor of asking for an extension of the due date from July 23, 2020 to July 23, 2021.

The planning commission is making progress on the state-mandated plan, but it’s been slow. Maryland-based KCI was hired by the city to oversee development of the plan. To date, since a joint meeting in December with the planning commission and board of commissioners officially kicking off the process, KCI has spent most of its time preparing and then conducting a month-long survey of resident owners, business owners and city visitors. Survey responses were taken through Aug. 31.

In addition to helping KCI prepare the questions, on its own, the planning commission hosted two topic-specific workshops – one on mixed-use in the commercial district and another on sea-level rise and climate change.

The vote to request an extension came after planning commission members voiced frustration with Debbie Pfeil, planning manager for KCI.

Commission Chair David Mellen said he thought Pfeil and the KCI staff would have the results of the survey for the Sept. 13 meeting. He said when he reached out to Pfeil to find out when it would be delivered, he was told they were still in putting data from handwritten surveys left at city hall. He said he was told the results would be available for another joint meeting with the planning commission and board of commissioners in October.

Mellen said he was concerned the planning commission wouldn’t be allowed to view the information before the meeting.

In addition to survey-related frustration, other questions were raised about requesting an extension.

Mellen said he had spoken with Pfeil weeks ago, and, at the time, she said there was no need for an extension. Then, two weeks later, he said, she told Mayor Paul Kuhns the city should ask for an extension. Mellen said he knew about the conversation between the mayor, Pfeil and City Manager Sharon Lynn, but he hadn’t heard any reasoning for the change of plans from Pfeil.

News of the conversation with Kuhns, Pfeil and Lynn prompted planning Commissioner Paull Hubbard to ask Lynn who Pfeil thinks she’s working for, because, he said, she’s supposed to be working for the planning commission.

Lynn said Kuhns requested to speak with Pfeil because he was concerned about meeting the deadline. She said Pfeil knows she’s working for the planning commission.

In an email Sept. 19, Pfeil said the scope of survey portion changed from two surveys to three, and the number of of questions requires additional time to review and prepare for the survey reveal presentation.

Pfeil said new city commissioners, at least one new planning commissioner and providing everyone ample time to review the plan spurred the extension request.  

Pfeil said the city manager signed the contract with KCI and is the main point of contact. She said KCI serves at the pleasure of the city and works with several different departments, boards and commissions.

As of press deadline Sept. 19, a date for the joint meeting had not been scheduled.