News Briefs 5/10/24

Sussex P&Z director Jamie Whitehouse not leaving

A change in plans. At the May 8 Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, Chairman Bob Wheatley announced that Planning & Zoning Director Jamie Whitehouse has decided to stay at his current job. Previously on April 24, Whitehouse said he was taking a new job and leaving the county in mid-May. 

He was hired in 2017 by the county as a staff planner, then promoted to director that same year.

Sussex council meeting on May 14

Sussex County Council will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 14, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. Included on the agenda is a public hearing on the marijuana control ordinance.

A full agenda and meeting materials are available at sussexcountyde.gov/agendas-minutes/county-council. Meetings are in person, live streamed at sussexcountyde.gov/council-chamber-broadcast, and available by phone at 302-394-5036 using code 570176.

Special Rehoboth meeting May 13

Rehoboth Beach commissioners have scheduled a special meeting for 1 p.m., Monday, May 13. The agenda calls for an executive session for the purpose of discussing the content of documents excluded from the definition of public record under the Freedom of Information Act.

The meeting will be conducted in the commissioners room of city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave. A full agenda, meeting materials and a livestream are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. Only in-person attendees may make comments. 

For more information, contact the city at 302-227-6181 or information@cityofrehoboth.com.

Lewes drawbridge work scheduled 

Routine maintenance is scheduled for the Savannah Road drawbridge Tuesday, May 14, according to the City of Lewes. Openings will occur beginning at 10 a.m., as needed.

Lewes council to meet May 13

Lewes Mayor and City Council will meet at 5:30 p.m., Monday, May 13, at city hall.

The agenda includes discussion and possible action on ordinances on a possible lodging tax and an increase in the gross rental receipt tax for short-term rentals.

The full agenda can be found at lewes.civicweb.net.

Lewes housing group to meet May 13

The Lewes Planning Commission’s Housing Subcommittee will meet at 2:45 p.m., Monday, May 13, at the Rollins Center.

The agenda includes discussion of a draft ordinance for accessory dwelling units.

The full agenda can be found at lewes.civicweb.net.

Lewes environmental panel to meet May 13

The Lewes Planning Commission’s Environmental Subcommittee will meet at 1 p.m., Monday, May 13, at city hall.

The agenda includes discussion and possible recommendation regarding amending the wetland buffer ordinance.

The full agenda can be found at lewes.civicweb.net.

Important dates for Rehoboth’s election

Rehoboth issued a press release May 8 announcing deadlines related to this year’s election, which will take place 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10, at Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. 

Commissioners Toni Sharp and Tim Bennett are the two commissioners up for re-election this year. The deadline for candidates to file a nominating petition is 4:30 p.m., Monday, June 3. 

Nominating petitions must be signed by no fewer than 10 and no more than 25 qualified electors of the city.

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; 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 will be available beginning Wednesday, 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.

For more information, email elections@cityofrehoboth.com or call 302-227-6181, ext. 159.

Sussex Preservation Coalition to meet

The Sussex Preservation Coalition will meet at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 14 at the Lewes Public Library. The meeting will include state legislative updates, presentations on how everyone can help restore healthy ecosystems and updates on the proposed Cool Spring Crossing and Northstar developments. 

Emily Knearl, Delaware Director of Government Relations and External Affairs at the Nature Conservancy, will give brief updates on legislation pertaining to wetlands and wind power, and new requirements for future county comprehensive plans to take climate change into account.

In her talk, “Planting for Biodiversity,” master gardener Maggie McLaughlin will talk about elements of a healthy ecosystem. She will illustrate ways to restore nature to your home landscape by adding native plants to your garden, no matter its size.

Meghan Noe Fellows, director of Estuary Science and Restoration at the Center for the Inland Bays, will present lessons from planting mini-forests. She will discuss how to scale up to plant multiple acres and ways to scale down to fit in a backyard. 

SPC is a coalition of individuals and local environmental groups in Sussex County dedicated to preserving, restoring, and protecting the local ecosystem. Its mission is to increase the impact of groups and individuals by working together to educate, advocate and act.