News Briefs 06/27/17

Milton water committees to meet
Milton Water Committee and Milton Water Infrastructure Land Acquisition Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 28, at the Milton library. Water Committee members will discuss the water impact, availability and water usage rates. The land acquisition committee will hold an executive session to discuss preliminary land acquisition. For more information or a full agenda, go to www.milton.delaware.gov or call 302-684-4110.

Lewes planners want conditional use
The Lewes Planning Commission voted 6-2 to recommend mayor and city council approve a zoning text change for the general commercial zone to add a second-floor restaurant to the list of permitted conditional uses. The commission added the caveat that the lot must be a minimum size of 20,000 square feet. Commissioners took the action after the owner of 203 E. Savannah Road, across from the Dairy Queen, requested a zoning change to marine-commercial to build a two-story restaurant; however, officials determined a conditional use to be the more prudent action.

Nina Cannata and Kay Carnahan voted against the motion to recommend because of the uncertainty of consultant Environmental Resources Management's report on the marine-commercial district. The final decision will be made by mayor and city council. The commission also recommended approval of a rezoning application for 707 Kings Hwy., that would change the zoning classification from R-2, low density residential, to R-4 medium residential. Council will make the final decision on this application as well. For details, call 645-7777.

Lewes annexation committee to meet
The Lewes Annexation Regulation Review Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 27, at city hall. The group will discuss the possible establishment of alternative zoning for newly annexed undeveloped land. For more information, call city hall at 302-645-7777.

Lewes garden committee to meet
The Lewes Garden for All Ages Committee will meet at 1 p.m., Tuesday, June 27, at city hall. The group will discuss a revised memorandum of understanding, edits to the concept design of the garden and review a chart of responsibilities. For more information, call 645-7777.
Lewes byways committee to meet

The Historic Lewes Scenic Byway Committee will meet at 1 p.m., Wednesday, June 28, at city hall. The group will discuss the Savannah Road Transportation Alternative Program project, byway signs, the proposed Lewes Transportation Improvement District, the New Road master plan and the Sussex County comprehensive plan. For more information, call city hall at 302-645-7777.

Lewes BPW set to meet June 28
The Lewes Board of Public Works will meet at 4 p.m., Wednesday, June 28, at city hall. The board will receive a presentation on its 2016-17 fiscal year audit from PKS and Associates. They will also discuss giving authority to the general manager to sign the Highland Heights developer's agreement, hear an update on the Savannah Place, Donovan Smith mobile home park and Swaanendael Acres project and discuss the Green Energy Fund. For more information, call BPW offices at 302-645-6228.

Sussex to increase some marriage fees
At its June 13 meeting – to help offset a projected loss – Sussex County Council voted to increase some marriage bureau fees. The county will institute a $20 fee for recording a marriage license and will also increase the cost to $100 for marriages conducted outside the office for residents and $175 for nonresidents, a $25 increase for both fees. The cost of a marriage license – $50 for residents and $100 for nonresidents – will remain the same. The county does not charge a fee to veterans or active military members.

Sussex supports towns with transfer tax funds
Sussex County will continue to supplement five small county municipalities that do not collect at least $20,000 in annual realty transfer taxes. At its June 13 meeting, council voted to amend its current ordinance to allow for county funds to make up the difference of the amount collected by the towns and the $20,000 limit instead of paying a flat fee of $15,000. The towns include Frankford, Bethel, Greenwood, Ellendale and Blades.

Sussex council awards grants to nonprofits
At its June 20 meeting, Sussex County Council awarded councilmanic grants of $1,000 to City of Seaford for the Nanticoke Riverfest on Saturday, July 8, and $1,000 to Town of Laurel for its 23rd annual Independence Day fireworks.