News Briefs 2/4/22

Ordinances surface for Lewes-area site

At its Feb. 1 meeting, Sussex County Council introduced three land-use ordinances for a parcel just outside Lewes city limits. Henlopen Properties LLC has filed to rezone a 44-acre parcel on the southeast side of Kings Highway, 390 feet from the Gills Neck Road intersection, from AR-1, agricultural-residential, to MR, medium-density residential, and also for a conditional use to construct 267 multi-family units on the same parcel. MR zoning, which allows up to 12 units per acre density, is required for multifamily housing. The developer has also filed to rezone a 3-acre parcel along Gills Neck Road near the Kings Highway intersection from AR-1 to C-2, medium commercial district. All three applications will be placed on future county council and planning and zoning agendas.

Community Bank plans Long Neck site

A rezoning to C-2, medium commercial district, for a 1.76-acre parcel at the intersection of Route 5 and Route 24 in Long Neck was approved by Sussex County Council during its Feb. 1 meeting.

Community Bank Delaware filed the application to develop the property with a branch office or a similar permitted use in C-2 zoning. Representing the applicant, attorney MacKenzie Peet said a dwelling on the site would be demolished and a small cemetery would not be disturbed.

A final site plan must be approved by the Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission before construction can begin.

Canal Pointe to proceed with dock

Residents of The Grande at Canal Pointe off Hebron Road in Rehoboth Beach can proceed with plans to construct a small dock along the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal for non-motorized watercraft, including canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. Access to the launching area will be from a community park near the canal.

At its Feb. 1 meeting, Sussex County Council approved an amendment to the conditions it imposed and removed a requirement for specific dimensions of the dock. The original approval for the project included a condition prohibiting access to the canal.

Lewes subcommittee meets Feb. 7

The Annexation Subcommittee of the Lewes Planning Commission will meet virtually at 10 a.m., Monday, Feb. 7. The group will continue to discuss and review annexation zones. A link to the meeting can be found on the agenda at lewes.civicweb.net.

Lewes resiliency committee to meet

The Lewes Executive Committee on Resiliency will meet virtually at 4 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 8. The group will discuss real estate disclosure and a resiliency fund. A link to the meeting can be found on the agenda at lewes.civicweb.net.

Delaware processing tax returns

Delaware’s Division of Revenue began processing 2021 individual income tax returns Jan. 31. Delaware’s filing season, often opened in tandem with the IRS, was delayed this year due to programming required to include newly signed legislation that exempts unemployment insurance payments from Delaware income tax in 2021.

For faster turnaround times, citizens are encouraged to file their taxes online at de.gov/filetax or through other electronic filing programs and request direct deposit. In an effort to combat refund fraud, the Division of Revenue holds all personal income tax refunds until Feb. 11.

This year’s filing deadline for personal income tax is Monday, May 2.

Taxpayers should be aware that Delaware does not maintain reciprocity agreements with other states. Therefore, it is important that anyone who is not a Delaware resident, but who has worked in Delaware, understands that they must file a Delaware tax return. Delaware residents who work out-of-state are required to file returns with Delaware in addition to the state where they worked.

By law, Delaware employees should have received their W-2 employment forms Jan. 31, for any job worked during the 2021 calendar year. Those who haven’t received a W-2 by Jan. 31 should contact their employer.

For filing information and more, go to revenue.delaware.gov.

Sussex council honors food drive partners

At its Feb. 1 meeting, Sussex County Council honored organizations that supported the annual Caroling on The Circle food drive. Sussex County Administrator Todd Lawson said more than 20,000 food items were collected for distribution to county food pantries.

They include Fuqua, Willard, Stevens & Schab, 2,200 items; First State Manufactured Housing Association, 1,650 items; Rehoboth Elementary School, 1,645 items; Delmarva Christian High School, 1,389 items; Colonial East Management, 1,320 items; Long Neck Elementary School, 800 items; Little Einsteins Preschool, Georgetown, 561 items; H.O. Brittingham Elementary School, 550 items; North Georgetown Elementary School, 466 items; Aloft Engineering, 425 items; Millsboro Middle School, 400 items; Seaford High School, 230 items; Nicola Pizza, 220 items; Georgetown Elementary School, 200 items; Little Einsteins, Millsboro, 174 items; and Sussex Academy, 110 items.

Robin Griffith named to pension committee

Robin Griffith, who recently retired as Sussex County Council clerk after 30 years of service, has been named to the county's pension committee.

She is replacing retired County Administrator Dave Baker, who resigned after being named USDA Rural Development director for Delaware and Maryland.

County council made the appointment during its Feb. 1 meeting.

Sussex council meeting on Feb. 8

Sussex County Council will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 8, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. An agenda and meeting materials are available at sussexcountyde.gov/agendas-minutes/county-council.