Sidewalks a sticking point in Lewes church building plan

The First Baptist Church of Lewes has been down this road before, seeking relief from a condition that requires it to install sidewalks as part its plan to build a new church along Kings Highway. 

The church took another shot at getting a waiver at the Lewes Mayor and City Council’s Jan. 25 workshop.

First Baptist wants to demolish its current building and construct a new facility.

Lewes officials have given the plan added scrutiny because of its location at the gateway to the city.

Sidewalk conditions are among the 10 the panel attached to its approval of the preliminary site plan in January 2023.

The church has determined the sidewalks – and some of the other conditions – would cost too much and could sink the entire project.

“The congregation is such that it will make the difference between us building or not at all,” said First Baptist Pastor Jon Reddick.

Reddick said the cost of the sidewalks is more than $31,000. The entire project is expected to cost $2.8 million.

At the workshop, Tim Willard, attorney for First Baptist, went through the disputed conditions one-by-one to make a case that they be dropped or modified.

The first condition calls for a sidewalk to be built along Bay Breeze Drive, which some neighbors said is actually Mariners Way. The private street gives access to the Jefferson Apartments and Bay Breeze communities from Kings Highway. A second condition calls for a sidewalk at the rear of the property.

“I think the notion was to protect the health and welfare of students who walk back and force to Bay Breeze and the residents,” said Councilman Joe Elder. “Without [the sidewalk], we’re forcing them to cut through the parking lot or walk along the grass. When you look at how this is going to improve the lives of the people who live there, this is a small expense.”

Willard said the owner of Jefferson Apartments has rejected First Baptist’s request to contribute money for the sidewalk. A representative from the Bay Breeze Homeowners Association was at the workshop and also said the community would not be able to contribute.

Council discussed the possibility that the church could seek funding from state or federal government sources to help offset the cost.

“If we go with what [the church is] suggesting, we would have a sidewalk to nowhere,” said Councilman Tim Ritzert. “It would terminate at the corner and not serve any purpose beyond that.”

The Delaware Department of Transportation requires a sidewalk along Kings Highway. The agency has said it intends to expand the highway, but has not released details. It’s possible the sidewalk could be installed, then torn up later as part of DelDOT’s future rebuild.

Since the church last went before council, the preliminary site plan was adjusted to shift the building 25 feet closer to the parking lot, which is outside city limits.

“The reason is to remove significant impervious material that was on city property and allow for more open space and a more reasonable stormwater facility on Bay Breeze,” Willard said.

Willard said the shift does not affect setbacks or parking.

“That is a significant change,” said Ritzert. “And we don’t have the benefit of review from one of our committees to react.”

City planner Janelle Cornwell said she has told the church that change may require the need to go through the public hearing process again.

First Baptist’s original landscaping plan has also been updated. Willard unveiled a new plan that was designed by landscape architect Eric Wahl with the help of the Historic Lewes Byway Committee.

For the first time, the committee spent its own money to pay for a landscape plan. Committee member Mary Roth said the cost was a couple of thousand dollars. She said the new plan has reduced the cost of the landscaping considerably.

The new plan includes two sand dune-like berms along Kings Highway and indigenous plants around the property.

The church has also redesigned the north facade to add more detail, including crosses and a faux brick foundation. Council had been concerned the original design made the church look too much like a warehouse.

Mayor Andrew Williams said he understands the church’s position as a nonprofit organization. 

“When we deal with a developer, they’re able to build it into the cost of a home. Pastor Reddick can’t increase the cost of a seat in his pew,” Williams said.

Council did not take any action, but could further discuss the conditions at its regular meeting Monday, Feb. 12.

“It’s been a long time coming, but we really do thank city council for listening to our concerns,” Reddick said. “Our hope is that they’ll remove those conditions and we can continue our construction process.”