News Briefs 1/5/21
Coastal-area change on Jan. 7 P&Z agenda
A rescheduled public hearing on an amendment to the coastal-area cluster subdivision ordinance is on Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission’s Thursday, Jan. 7 agenda. The ordinance would require the same superior-design standards for all cluster subdivisions. Currently, regulations for cluster subdivisions differ in AR-1, agricultural-residential, zoning districts and AR-1 land in the coastal-area district.
The ordinance had to be reintroduced when it was discovered that one of the legal advertisements for the original ordinance’s first hearing before the commission was published one day past the 14-day requirement to announce hearings. The new ordinance does not include the controversial yield-plan requirement.
Also on the agenda are a series of site-plan reviews, including a final plan for Seaglass at Rehoboth Beach, a 224-unit apartment complex off Route 24 near the Route 1 intersection; a revised plan for a 78-room Tanger Microtel, located off Holland Glade Road adjacent to Tanger Seaside Outlets near Rehoboth Beach; a final plan for Catching Cove, 24 single-family condominiums off Savannah Road, Lewes; and a preliminary plan for Nicola’s Family Pizza Restaurant at 17510 Coastal Highway adjacent to Ocean One Plaza near Lewes. The plan includes a 9,640-square-foot, two-story restaurant, a 1,726-square-foot deck and 144 parking spaces.
The meeting gets underway at 5 p.m. in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. Seating is limited due to social-distancing requirements under the COVID-19 state of emergency.
See a complete agenda with meeting materials at sussexcountyde.gov. Meetings are available via telephone by calling 1-302-394-5036 using code 570176 and are livestreamed at sussexcountyde.gov/council-chamber-broadcast. Comments can be sent to pandz@sussexcountyde.gov by 4 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 6.
Dewey commissioners meet Jan. 8
Dewey Beach commissioners will hold a virtual public hearing and monthly meeting at 12 p.m., Friday, Jan. 8. A public hearing and possible vote on a draft ordinance to amend town code relating to bulk standards will be held. Commissioners may also vote to approve a contract to hire a new town manager, an ordinance to amend fees on building permit applications and limousine business licenses, and to approve residential and commercial business licenses. Commissioners will discuss possible rules and set a date for a workshop regarding the bay beach and baywalk rules. The full agenda and link to the meeting are at townofdeweybeach.com.
Dewey budget committee meets Jan. 8
The Dewey Beach Budget and Finance Committee will meet virtually at 4 p.m., Friday, Jan. 8. Members will review and discuss current year-to-date budget performance, the 2021-22 draft budget, and new revenue stream recommendations. The agenda and link to the meeting are at townofdeweybeach.com.
Sussex council swearing-in set Jan. 5
Sussex County Council will have a swearing-in ceremony for two new council members at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 5, before its regular meeting at 10 a.m., in the county administrative building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. District 3 Councilman Mark Schaeffer and District 2 Councilwoman Cindy Green will take the oath of office.
The ceremony will be livestreamed at sussexcountyde.gov/council-chamber-broadcast.
Included on the agenda are election of council officers, appointment of legal counsel, and council member appointments. See a complete agenda, including meeting materials, at sussexcountyde.gov/agendas-minutes/county-council. The meeting is also available by telephone by calling 1-302-394-5036 and using code 570176.
Lewes Board of Health meets Jan. 5
The Lewes Board of Health will meet virtually at 3 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 5. The group will discuss the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Lewes and Delaware. A link to the meeting can be found at lewes.civicweb.net.
Lewes Public Art Committee meets Jan. 5
The Lewes Public Art Committee will meet virtually at 6:45 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 5. The group will receive updates on a bench project and veterans memorial project. They will also talk about lighting for the silent sentinels near Lewes Public Library and 2021 project proposals. A link to the meeting can be found at lewes.civicweb.net.
Lewes pickleball subcommittee to meet
The Lewes Pickleball Facility Subcommittee of the parks and recreation commission will meet virtually at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 6. The group will discuss conceptual designs for a potential facility within the city. The drawings and a link to the meeting can be found at lewes.civicweb.net.
Lewes sea-level rise subcommittee to meet
The Lewes Sea-Level Rise Subcommittee of the planning commission will meet virtually at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 6, to continue discussion on a sea-level rise ordinance. A link to the meeting can be found at lewes.civicweb.net.
Lewes public hearing set for Jan. 6
Lewes Mayor and City Council will hold a virtual public hearing at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 6. The hearing is on an ordinance to amend the 2015 comprehensive plan to change the land use of parcels at the corner of Savannah Road and Cape Henlopen Drive from residential to commercial. The property had been rezoned to residential, but due to a lack of action on the property, the zoning reverts back to commercial. A link to the meeting can be found at lewes.civicweb.net.
Lewes wetland buffer subcommittee to meet
The Lewes Wetland Buffer Subcommittee of the planning commission will meet virtually at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 7, to continue discussion on a wetland buffer ordinance.
The group will also discuss the excellent recharge area section of the source water protection overlay. A link to the meeting can be found at lewes.civicweb.net.
Lewes downtown parking topic Jan. 8
The Lewes Downtown Business District Parking Committee will meet virtually at 8:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 8.
The group will continue discussion on the potential public use of the M&T Bank parking lot at the corner of Market and Third streets. They will also discuss delineating parking spaces on streets adjacent to the business district, and consider recommendations regarding improvements to parking areas on Schley Avenue, at Otis Smith Park, at the Lewes Little League park and at certain Beebe Healthcare lots. Other topics to be covered include discussion regarding the ongoing project to improve signage throughout the city, adjusted meter fees based on proximity to business district, and hours of operation of parking meters.
A link to the meeting can be found at lewes.civicweb.net.
Rehoboth streets committee to meet
The Rehoboth Beach Streets and Transportation Committee has scheduled an online meeting for 9 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 7. It’s the committee’s first meeting in 11 months. The agenda calls for a review of old and new business items, including crosswalk status on Rehoboth Avenue, crosswalks on State Road, traffic circle issues and a Surf Avenue bike lane.
Those wishing to speak must preregister with City Secretary Ann Womack at least 24 hours prior to 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.
Rehoboth trees committee meeting set
The Rehoboth Beach Trees & Green Infrastructure Committee (formerly Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Trees) has scheduled an online meeting for 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 8. The agenda calls for a discussion on the city’s commemorative tree program and a report from City Arborist Liz Lingo on trees planted in 2020.
Those wishing to speak must preregister with City Secretary Ann Womack at least 24 hours prior to 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.
Henlopen Acres meeting set Jan. 8
The Henlopen Acres Board of Commissioners has scheduled an online meeting for 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 8.
The agenda calls for discussion and possible votes on a number of issues related to rental rules and enforcement. For details on how to take part in the meeting, go to henlopenacres.delaware.gov.
Rehoboth planning commission meeting set
The Rehoboth Beach Planning Commission has scheduled an online meeting for 3 p.m., Friday, Jan. 8.
The agenda calls for an update on the 2020 Comprehensive Development Plan and a discussion on the public hearings for Clear Space Theatre Company, which have been scheduled for Friday, Jan. 29.
Those wishing to speak must preregister with City Secretary Ann Womack at least 24 hours prior to 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.
