News Briefs 2/5/21

Packed agenda for Lewes council Feb. 8

Lewes Mayor and City Council will meet virtually at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 8. The group will consider approval of the revised site plan for the Dutchman’s Harvest workforce housing project on Savannah Road. Officials will also consider annexation of 1145 Savannah Road, where a microbrewery is proposed. Recommendations from the beach parking committee and downtown business district parking committee will be considered. Council will discuss an ordinance to establish criteria for review of historic artifacts within the cultural/historical zone. The public art committee’s proposed summer project in Canalfront Park will be considered, as well as a contract to rehab the tennis and basketball courts in Canalfront Park. The topic of event permits in 2021 will be discussed. Also on the agenda are a discussion on the city’s code enforcement program, consideration of a request to renew a conditional-use agreement for a cell tower near Cape May-Lewes Ferry, and consideration of a request from the bike and pedestrian committee to object to the passage of HB36, which would lift the sunset on the state statute that does not require cyclists to stop at stop signs if the intersection is clear of vehicles. Also to be discussed are a request to hire one to two additional police officers, a charter change for mayor and city council vacancies, an ordinance to expand the parks and rec commission to cover the public beaches, a charter change to align code and charter as it relates to fishing on the beach, and a six-month moratorium on excellent recharge area requirements so code can be amended. Agenda documents and a link to the meeting can be found at lewes.civicweb.net. If the meeting runs too long, a continuation meeting has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 11. 

Rehoboth commissioner workshop Feb. 8

Rehoboth Beach commissioners have scheduled an online workshop for 9 a.m., Monday, Feb. 8. The agenda calls for presentations on the health of the city’s lakes, and proposed historic markers for the Rehoboth Beach Patrol and Poodle Beach. Under new business, the agenda calls for an introductory discussion on development of rules and regulations related to the use of the new Grove Park Canal Dock. Those wishing to speak must preregister with City Secretary Ann Womack at least 24 hours prior to the meeting by emailing awomack@cityofrehoboth.com. A full agenda and meeting materials are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. For more information, call 302-227-6181.

Rehoboth continues budget discussion

Rehoboth Beach commissioners will resume budget discussions during a special meeting at 1:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 8. This will be the third budget meeting for the commissioners. City Manager Sharon Lynn has proposed a $27.7 million budget for next fiscal year, which begins April 1. As of now, there are no fee or tax increases proposed. The proposed budget includes approximately $4.9 million in capital improvements. Those wishing to speak must preregister with City Secretary Ann Womack at least 24 hours prior to the meeting by emailing awomack@cityofrehoboth.com. A full agenda and meeting materials are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. For more information, call 302-227-6181.

Budget amendment on Sussex Feb. 9 agenda

Sussex County Council will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 9, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. Included on the agenda is discussion of an ordinance to amend the county operating budget to include additional realty transfer tax and expenditures. See a complete agenda and meeting materials at sussexcountyde.gov/agendas-minutes/county-council. Meetings are available in person with limited seating, are livestreamed at sussexcountyde.gov/council-chamber-broadcast, and can be accessed via phone by calling 1-302-394-5036 and using code 570176.

14th RD Dems to meet Feb. 10

The 14th RD Democratic Party Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 10, via Zoom. It is the local arm of the Delaware Democratic Party for the area including Lewes and surrounding communities, Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach, and stretching westward to Angola. The committee will begin planning its voter outreach and candidate recruitment strategies for the upcoming year.  Any registered Democrat can email DE14RDDems@gmail.com for the Zoom link to attend.

Comments sought on canal development

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is seeking comment on the brownfield development agreement it has reached for the proposed Oyster House Village site, located off Oyster House Road on the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal in Rehoboth Beach. A BDA is an agreement between DNREC and a brownfield developer – in this case Oyster House Homes LLC – with respect to a certified brownfield site that sets forth a scope of work and schedule of remedial activities during the development of the site. The public comment period ends at the close of business Monday, Feb. 22. Written comments should be submitted to project manager Rick Galloway at DNREC-RS, 391 Lukens Drive, New Castle, DE 19720. Learn more about this site and other certified brownfield sites at de.gov/brownfields or by contacting Galloway at 302-395-2600 or Rick.Galloway@delaware.gov.