News Briefs 2/21/23

Sussex P&Z meeting slated for Feb. 23

Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission will meet at 3 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 23, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. Included on the agenda are possible votes on the Vintners Preserve rezoning application for 316 townhomes along Janice Road near Lewes and a conditional-use application for Leeward Chase with 106 multifamily units on a 51-acre parcel on Route 9 near Georgetown. Among the public hearings are a conditional-use application for Georgetown Business Plaza to build warehouses and offices on a 22-acre parcel on the southwest side of Prettyman Road near Harbeson, and a conditional-use application for AtTAck Addiction Foundation to operate a 10-person group home on a parcel on the east side of Hurdle Ditch Road near the Hollyvile Road intersection between Lewes and Long Neck.

See a complete agenda and meeting materials at sussexcountyde.gov. Meetings are available online at sussexcountyde.gov/council-chamber-broadcast and by phone at 302-394-5036 using code 570176.

Lewes to hold special meeting, workshop

Lewes Mayor and City Council will hold a special meeting and workshop at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 23, at city hall.

Officials will continue to discuss and possibly vote on a draft request for proposals for concession services at Roosevelt Inlet, and on the lawn and landscape maintenance contract for Fiscal Year 2024 through FY 2026.

New business agenda items include changes to the charter, amendments to swimming pool setbacks, beekeeping, right-of-way licenses, 99-year leases, and the naming of an unnamed tributary as Lack-hove Creek.

The agenda and meeting link can be found at lewes.civicweb.net.

Lewes to present building code changes

The City of Lewes has invited contractors to an informational meeting at 2 p.m, Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Rollins Center, to review upcoming building code changes.

Anyone interested in attending should contact John Robitaille at 302-645-7777, Ext. 120. A meeting link can be found at ci.lewes.de.us.

Lewes continues budget discussions

Lewes Mayor and City Council will resume budget discussions at 9 a.m., Friday, Feb. 24, at city hall.

Budget proposals up for discussion are for the Lewes African American Heritage Commission, Lewes Planning Commission, and the public art, parks and recreation, bicycle and pedestrian, and historic preservation and architectural review committees.  See workshop agenda at lewes.civicweb.net.

Rehoboth OKs meter replacement contract

Rehoboth Beach commissioners unanimously approved a contract Feb. 17 for roughly $100,000 to have R&C Contractors of Viola replace about 320 water meters in the north end of the city.

Public Works Director Kevin Williams said the city had planned on replacing 600 meters this year, but there have been significant supply chain issues. The city put the order in April 1 last year, he said.

Williams said the city will give the contractor notice to proceed, and he expected them to begin by Feb. 24.

Rehoboth approves parking changes

Rehoboth Beach continues to fine-tune its parking code, but there is no plan to increase meter rates this year.

During a Feb. 17 meeting, commissioners unanimously approved a number of minor changes to parking code in advance of the upcoming enforcement season. Changes affect what constitutes overtime parking and allowing use of credit cards to pay fines, along with making parking on the west side of 1 City Hall Drive prohibited, and allowing parking bumpers to be used to indicate parking spaces. 

Cape school board to meet Feb. 23

The Cape Henlopen school board will meet at 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 23, at Love Creek Elementary. Special recognition awards will be presented, along with an update on the midyear unit count. Members will discuss revisions to several board policies and possibly take action on major capital project change orders. For the full agenda and meeting link, go to capehenlopenschools.com.

Sussex launches deed protection program

The Sussex County Recorder of Deeds Office has launched a free service to anyone who owns property in the county. The new recording activity notification service provides email alerts to property owners who have subscribed to the service whenever a land record is recorded with their registered name.  Recorder of Deeds Alexandra Reed Baker moved to institute the feature shortly after taking office in January, saying it is already included in the online recording software used by the county to manage its database of property deeds and mortgages.

“Providing the citizens of Sussex County with tools to help protect their property from deed fraud is of utmost importance to me,” Reed Baker said. The service comes at a time of growing concern nationwide about deed fraud, whereby thieves file fictitious documents to steal land from the rightful property owner. Delaware’s transfer tax law – the fee recorded with each property transaction – makes it more challenging for criminals to commit deed fraud, Reed Baker said.

“Still, if we can offer something that gives the public some measure of peace of mind,” she said, “I think that’s worth making available and promoting.”

To sign up or learn more, go to sussexcountyde.gov/deed-fraud-alert, or call the office at 302-855-7785.

Shows Feb. 25-26 to support veterans

Clear Space Theatre will present two USO-style shows to benefit area veterans, with performances at 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 25, and 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 26, at 20 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach.

Following the style of Bob Hope’s legendary shows for troops overseas, CST will bring a variety of performers and bands to the stage for an entertainment extravaganza. Ticket holders may attend a reception starting one hour before each show.

Proceeds from ticket sales will be distributed to local nonprofits supporting veterans.  Purchase tickets at clearspacetheatre.org or by calling 302-227-2270.

Inland Bays survey volunteer training set

The Delaware Center for the Inland Bays is gearing up for its 2023 citizen science and docent program season by hosting multiple volunteer trainings using in-person and virtual formats.

The first, a Reforestation Survey training, is set for 6 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the CIB office, 39375 Inlet Road, Rehoboth Beach, and via Zoom. This survey monitors the successes and challenges of reforestation projects completed throughout the Inland Bays watershed. In addition to creating wildlife habitat, reforestation is vital to improving water quality, as trees help remove nutrient pollution from surface water and groundwater.

A training session for the James Farm Docent Program is set for 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 1, and other sessions are scheduled. For complete details on volunteer opportunities, go to inlandbays.org.