News Briefs 5/17/24

Rehoboth Beach BoA hearing May 20

The Rehoboth Beach Board of Adjustment will meet at 1:30 p.m., Monday, May 20, in the city hall commissioners room, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda calls for two hearings. The first will be a continuation of the hearing for 53 Sussex St., whose property owners are seeking an increase in area of 293 square feet over the allowable floor-to-area ratio. The second is a variance request being made by the owners of Baja Bob’s at 101 South Boardwalk to allow a second restaurant occupancy in one existing building with a total of 1,006 square feet over the allowable aggregate 2,500 square feet for permanent seated dining and bar areas.

An agenda, meeting materials and a livestream are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. Only in-person attendees may make comments. 

Tree commission meeting canceled

The Rehoboth Beach Parks and Shade Tree Commission meeting set for Monday, May 20, has been canceled due to lack of agenda items, according to a city notice. 

Dewey commissioners to meet May 17

Dewey Beach commissioners will meet at 3 p.m., Friday, May 17, at the Lifesaving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. Members will possibly vote to refer to the planning commission a proposed expansion of an existing conditional use for Nalu, and to request the commission review and make recommendations regarding swimming pool setbacks. Action may also be taken to allocate unassigned funds to self-committed funds, to amend code relating to the cost threshold for which a building permit is required, and to amend code regarding personal-use quantity of marijuana. 

For an agenda, go to townofdeweybeach.com.

Sussex council awards two grants

Sussex County Council awarded two grants to nonprofit organizations during its May 14 meeting: a $1,000 councilmanic grant to Parkinson’s Education and Support Group of Sussex County for its caregivers wellness education series, and a $1,350 countywide youth grant to Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre for its annual Sussex County outreach tour. For information, go to sussexcountyde.gov.

Hearing on Sweetbriar sewer expansion

There will be a public hearing Tuesday, June 25, on expansion of the West Rehoboth Sewer District to include parcels along Sweetbriar Road west of Lewes. 

The request was made by Jefferson Masonic Lodge #15, which is relocating from downtown Lewes to a 7-acre site adjacent to Hopkins Preserve. 

John Ashman, director of county utility planning and design review, said the adjacent 53 acres of the preserve will also be included in the expansion.

Millsboro EMT Station under construction

The 4,380-square-foot Millsboro Paramedic Station 103 has been under construction since February. A construction bid of $1.8 million was awarded to The Whayland Company. 

The design is based on a prototype used for the Seaford Paramedic Station. The station on Dickerson Road just outside Millsboro town limits replaces a rented facility in Dagsboro.

Lewes approves building ordinances

Lewes Mayor and City Council unanimously approved ordinances May 13 regarding freeboard and lot coverage.

The first ordinance increased the freeboard requirement from 18 inches to 36 inches for homes located in floodplains. It is voluntary for homes outside floodplains.

The change increases the overall building height in flood zones to 35.5 feet.

The requirement applies to new construction, and to improvements and damage repairs costing above 50% of the house’s market value.

The city said it would provide help with the application process for Federal Emergency Management Agency grants dealing with home elevations.

The second ordinance reduces allowable lot coverage by 5% in most residential and commercial zones. It gives credit to homeowners who use pervious materials on driveways and parking areas.

Both ordinances were recommended by the Lewes Planning Commission as crafted by its environmental subcommittee.

Lewes council to meet May 20

Lewes Mayor and City Council will meet at 10 a.m., Monday, May 20, at city hall.

The agenda includes consideration of new appointments to the town’s Historic Preservation Architectural Review Commission and Planning Commission.

See the full agenda at lewes.civicweb.net.

Lewes parks panel to meet May 20

The Lewes Parks and Recreation Commission will meet at 5 p.m., Monday, May 20, at the Rollins Center.

The agenda includes discussion and possible action on the Canalfront Park playground project.

See the full agenda at lewes.civicweb.net.

Sussex P&Z meeting set for May 22

Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission will meet at 3 p.m., Wednesday, May 22. Included on the agenda are a possible vote on the amended accessory dwelling unit ordinance and an announcement of the public record closure on the perimeter buffers ordinance. See a complete agenda and meeting materials at sussexcountyde.gov. Meetings are available online at sussexcountyde.gov/council-chamber-broadcast.

Budget on Sussex council agenda

Sussex County Council will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 21, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.

Included on the agenda are a presentation on the 2025 fiscal year budget and a presentation from Fenwick Island officials on the dredging project. Agenda and meeting materials are available at sussexcountyde.gov/agendas-minutes/county-council. Meetings are held in person, livestreamed at sussexcountyde.gov/council-chamber-broadcast, and available by phone at 302-394-5036 using code 570176.