News Briefs 12/16/22

Lewes commission denies demolition

Following a Dec. 8 public hearing and review, the Lewes Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Commission has denied the request of Dionne Daisey-Williford to demolish the contributing structure at 331 Chestnut St.

She made the request based on estimates from Scott Engineering that said the cost of repairing and converting the duplex back to a single-family home would significantly exceed its value, and demolition and new home construction would be less costly.

HPARC said engineering studies were not sufficient and architectural studies were needed before they could approve demolishing a contributing structure they feel is in good shape. 

Daisey-Williford said the family will appeal the decision.

Lewes cancels pair of meetings

The City of Lewes has canceled the December meetings for its parks & recreation and planning commissions.

The next parks & rec meeting will be at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday Jan. 17, at the Rollins Center, to avoid conflict with Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 16.

Lewes planners will meet at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 18, at the Rollins Center.

More information can be found at lewes.civicweb.net.

Lewes tree group meeting Dec. 20

The Lewes Planning Commission Tree Ordinance Subcommittee will meet at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 20, at the Rollins Center.

See the agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.

Lewes environmental group to meet

The Lewes Planning Commission Environmental Subcommittee will meet at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 20, at City Hall.

During its inaugural meeting, the group will discuss potential environmental regulations.

See the agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.

Lewes Diner, Teller Wines set for BPW

Lewes Mayor and City Council voted unanimously to waive the Lewes Board of Public Works service annexation requirement for the Ritter-owned property containing Lewes Diner and Teller Wines.

On Dec. 12, Mayor Andrew Williams encouraged the Ritters to consider annexing into Lewes, but unsanitary conditions at the property on the corner of Donovan’s Road and Savannah Road prompted the go-ahead to connect to BPW systems.

Lewes debates Fisher-Martin repairs

The City of Lewes is still grappling with the cost of repairs to the Fisher-Martin House.

Boardwalk Builders was awarded the $255,250 bid Nov. 22; it was the lone bidder for the project.

The scope of work would include replacing windows, siding, and shingles and making repairs to the attic.

Councilwoman Carolyn Jones, finance committee chair, said even with $58,900 available in the Fisher-Martin House fund, the city cannot currently afford to proceed. George, Miles, and Buhr recommended adding a contingency of 30% or more to the repair cost.

Mayor and council opted to delay approval of the work until their January meeting. The bid contract is good for 60 days.

Ban of gas-powered equipment delayed

The City of Lewes voted 4-1 Dec. 12 to delay implementation of a ban on some gas-powered lawn equipment until Dec. 31, 2025.

Councilwoman Carolyn Jones said the surge of residents’ comments clarified their positions, and Councilwoman Candace Vessella cited hardships detailed by small business owners in attendance if the ban was implemented sooner.

Councilman Tim Ritzert was the lone no vote.

Lane closures at Bay Farm Road

Lane closures are scheduled at the Route 24-Bay Farm Road intersection in Long Neck from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 18, for intersection striping. Motorists are advised there could be delays in the area.

Georgetown council approves solar project

Georgetown Town Council voted Dec. 12 to approve a conditional-use application to build a solar field adjacent to Sandhill Fields. TurningPoint Energy and landowner Joe Schell plan to build a community solar energy facility on a 71-acre site off Sand Hill Road in Georgetown. As part of the application, the applicant is seeking a lot-line adjustment that would increase the property to 77 acres. The solar facility would be built in 17.5 acres of what is currently an open field. The facility will produce about 5 million kWh per year, meaning it should be able to handle 750 to 800 subscribers. Georgetown Planning Commission voted unanimously Oct. 19 to recommend the project be approved by town council.

Turn lane to close at Oak Orchard-Route 24

The right-turn lane from eastbound Route 24 onto Oak Orchard Road will be closed from Tuesday, Dec. 20, through Friday, Dec. 30, for intersection improvements. Detour: Eastbound Route 24 traffic will turn right onto Gull Point Road and continue to Oak Orchard Road.

Sussex swearing-in takes place Jan. 3

Sussex County Council will not meet Tuesday, Dec. 20, or Tuesday, Dec. 27. The next regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, Jan. 3, includes a 9 a.m. swearing-in ceremony for all newly elected officials. To be sworn in are councilmen John Rieley and Doug Hudson for their second terms, and Recorder of Deeds Andrea Reed Baker and Register of Wills Greg Fuller.

Two piers proposed for Silver Lake

The state’s Wetlands and Waterways Section issued notices Dec. 7 saying two applications have been submitted to build residential piers into Silver Lake between Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach.

The first application, submitted by the owners at 20358 Silver Lake Drive, is to construct a 4-by-30-foot pier and 5-by-25-foot “T” dock.

The notice said this application also includes installing an 88-foot-long rock sill, placing 11 cubic yards of clean sand fill material between the rock sill and uplands, and installing two types of sedges to enhance existing shoreline habitat.

The second application, submitted by the owners at 27 Chesapeake St., is to construct a 4-by-20-foot pier and a 4-by-15-foot dock in Silver Lake.

A public hearing on the above applications will not be held unless DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin determines it is in the public interest or if a written meritorious objection to the application is received within 20 days from the notice date, which is Tuesday, Nov. 29. For more information, contact Catherine Bronson, DNREC wetlands and subaqueous lands section, at Catherine.Bronson@delaware.gov or 302-739-9943.

Eagle’s Nest senior project given approval

With a 3-0 vote, the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission approved a preliminary site plan for a senior-care facility proposed by Eagle’s Nest Fellowship Church Inc. on a 9.7-acre parcel on the Eagle’s Nest campus at 26633 Zion Church Road near Milton.

At its Nov. 17 meeting, Commission Chair Bob Wheatley and commissioners Bruce Mears and Holly Wingate voted for the plan, while commissioners Kim Hoey Stevenson and Keller Hopkins did not vote and did not give a reason for declining to act on the application.

Plans for the project include a 94,570-square-foot senior-care facility, including 66 units for assisted, independent and long-term care, and 40 units of senior housing for a total of 106 units in the parcel section zoned C-1 commercial.

In addition, a landscaped buffer is planned along the property’s border with Route 1 southbound.

The parcel also includes a campground with a pool and recreation building.