News Briefs 1/29/21

Special Rehoboth meeting set Feb. 2

Rehoboth Beach commissioners have scheduled a special meeting for 3 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 2. The meeting will be conducted online. The agenda calls for discussions on the transition from outdoor dining during the pandemic to post-pandemic, dining opportunities on public lands after the pandemic, incentives for businesses while still in the pandemic and to consider a resolution on formally putting the property at 84 Kent St. up for sale. Members of the public wishing to speak at the public hearings will be required to pre-register with City Secretary Ann Womack at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. She can be contacted at awomack@cityofrehoboth.com. Meeting materials are accessible on the city’s portal at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. For more information, call 302-227-6181.

Cluster ordinance on Sussex Feb. 2 agenda

Sussex County Council will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 2, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. Included on the agenda is a 10:30 a.m. public hearing on an amended ordinance pertaining to cluster subdivisions in the coastal area. The Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval of the ordinance. A complete agenda and meeting materials are available at sussexcountyde.gov/agendas-minutes/county-council. Meetings are held in person, by telephone at 302-394-5036, using code 570176, and via livestream at sussexcountyde.gov/council-chamber-broadcast. Written comments can be submitted to rgriffith@sussexcountyde.gov by 4:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 1.

Laurel farmer Hastings appointed to board

Laurel-area farmer John “Travis” Hastings was unanimously approved by Sussex County Council to fill a vacancy on the Sussex County Board of Adjustment. In a Jan. 26 virtual interview, Hastings said he has been a farmer since graduating from the University of Delaware in 2000. “It’s important to me to protect the rights of farmers and to protect property rights,” he said. Hastings serves on three boards – Laurel Grain Company; Mar-Del Watermelon Association; and Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit. He will serve until June 2022 on the board that conducts public hearings on variances, special-use exceptions and administrative appeals. District 5 Councilman John Rieley, who nominated Hastings, thanked him for his willingness to serve. “I feel confident he’ll be a good addition to the board,” he said.

Lewes sponsorship committee to meet

The Lewes Sponsorship Program Committee will meet virtually at 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 29. The group will discuss the need for, merits of and implementation of a sponsorship program for Lewes city parks. Allocation of funds from sponsorship fees will also be discussed. A link to the meeting can be found on the agenda at lewes.civicweb.net. 

Lewes public hearings set for Feb. 1

Lewes Mayor and City Council will hold virtual public hearings at 6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 1. The first will be regarding an ordinance to establish a moratorium on the application of provisions of city code related to water resource protection areas and a source water protection overlay on land between the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal and the Delaware Bay. The second public hearing is related to changing the comprehensive plan to reflect a change of zoning for 203 Savannah Road, which is proposed to revert back to general commercial after being rezoned to R-3 a few years ago. A link to the meeting can be found at lewes.civicweb.net. 

Lewes downtown parking meeting set

The Lewes Downtown Business District Parking Committee will meet virtually at 8:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 1. The group will discuss its report and recommendations to mayor and city council. A link can be found on the agenda at lewes.civicweb.net. 

Dewey to hold public hearing Feb. 5

Dewey Beach town commissioners will hold a virtual public hearing and meeting at 12 p.m., Friday, Feb. 5 to receive public input on the proposed expenditure of infrastructure funds to complete an improvement project to restore medians on Coastal Highway throughout town limits. The town infrastructure committee voted unanimously Jan. 25 to recommend the project to commissioners to help reduce flooding and make pedestrians at crosswalks more visible. A link is at townofdeweybeach.com.

Rehoboth accepting cadet applications

The Rehoboth Beach Police Department is accepting applications for seasonal cadets. The application deadline for the 2021 summer season is Friday, March 26. Applications submitted after the deadline will be retained for the 2022 summer season. Applicants must be able to attend the following mandatory training dates: Friday-Sunday, April 16-18; Friday-Sunday, April 23-25; and Friday-Sunday, April 30-May 2. Applicants chosen for the bicycle patrol will be required to attend mandatory training Friday-Sunday, May 7-9. Anyone interested can visit cityofrehoboth.com/government/departments/police/careers for the employment application.