News Briefs 3/14/23
Hearing March 22 on erosion, sediment
A public hearing on proposed revisions to selected sections of the Delaware Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook has been scheduled for 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 22.
The handbook provides background information on erosion and sedimentation, information on Delaware’s regulatory program, and standards and specifications for erosion and sediment control.
The proposed revisions are to the following sections of the handbook – the anti-seep collar equation is corrected in 3.1.4 Temporary Sediment Basin; invasive or undesirable species are removed from 3.4.3 Vegetative Stabilization; a clarification to 3.4.5 Mulching says that synthetic netting is not acceptable; there are new signage recommendations for 3.6.1 Pollution Prevention; a new specification with expanded guidance for 3.6.4 Fueling and Spill Control; and an update on material specifications to Appendix A-3 Geotextile Application Guide.
DNREC declined to explain the need for the proposed changes, and how they will affect sediment and erosion control if enacted.
The web link to the virtual meeting is found on the DNREC Public Hearings site at de.gov/dnrechearings.
Public comments will be accepted through Wednesday, April 19. For more information and to review regulatory guidance documents, visit de.gov/dnrechearings, or contact Sediment and Stormwater Program’s Elaine Webb at 302-739-9921 or elaine.webb@delaware.gov.
Environment group to meet in Rehoboth
The Rehoboth Beach Environment Committee will meet at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 17, in the city hall commissioners room, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda includes discussions and updates on wind farms, a potential non-idling policy and the city’s recycling program.
A full agenda, meeting materials and a livestream are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. Only in-person attendees may make comments.
For more information, contact the city at 302-227-6181 or information@cityofrehoboth.com.
Rehoboth budget meeting canceled
Rehoboth Beach’s budget for Fiscal Year 2024 begins April 1. Commissioners agreed their work was done at the end of the March 6 budget meeting, so they canceled their as-needed meeting for the morning of Friday, March 17. Commissioners are expected to pass the proposed $35 million budget during their regularly scheduled meeting the afternoon of Friday, March 17.
Rehoboth sets meeting March 17
Rehoboth Beach commissioners will meet at 2 p.m., Friday, March 17, in the city hall commissioners room, 229 Rehoboth Ave.
The agenda includes probable passage of the budget for the next fiscal year and a supplemental permit-of-compliance hearing for Baltimore Avenue restaurant Somewhere.
A full agenda, meeting materials and a livestream are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net.
Only in-person attendees may make comments. For more information, contact the city at 302-227-6181 or information@cityofrehoboth.com.
Lewes planners meeting March 15
The Lewes Planning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 15, at the Rollins Center.
The group will continue discussing a recommendation to mayor and city council regarding an archeological review mandate for new developments.
New conversations will include amendments to the recently passed annexation regulations, definitions in Chapter 170 Subdivision and Land Development Plan changes, and subcommittee meeting minutes.
Reports from the environmental, housing and tree subcommittees will also be given.
Lewes tree group set to meet March 16
The Lewes Tree Ordinance Subcommittee will meet at 4 p.m., Thursday, March 16, at the Rollins Center.
Committee members will discuss the public workshop results and their next steps.
See the meeting agenda and link at lewes.civicweb.net.
BPW workshop set on wastewater plan
The Lewes Board of Public Works will host a workshop at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 22, at the Rollins Center to discuss long-range plans for the Howard H. Seymour Water Reclamation Plant.
Lifeguard tryouts March 25, April 1
The Rehoboth Beach Patrol is holding tryouts for the 2023 season. The first was March 11. The second will be at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, March 25, at Lake Forest High School, 5407 Killens Pond Road, Felton. The third/final tryout will be at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, April 1, at Sussex Academy High School, 21150 Airport Road, Georgetown.
To be considered for hire, all applicants must take a test that includes a 1-mile run, push-ups, sit-ups, a 550-yard swim, a 100-yard spring swim, a 25-yard underwater swim and two types of pool rescues. There are time completion requirements.
Applicants can be 15 at the time of the tryout, but they must be 16 on or before Memorial Day weekend.
For more information, go to rehobothbeachpatrol.com, or contact Rehoboth Beach Patrol Capt. Jeff Giles at rehobothbeachpatrol@cityofrehoboth.com or 302-530-7283.
More repairs needed at ocean outfall
Some more repairs are needed on Sussex County’s ocean outfall pipe support systems as part of the county’s South Coastal Regional Wastewater Facility operations. Mark Parker, assistant county engineer, reported during Sussex County Council’s Feb. 28 meeting that initial repairs were completed last fall but contractor Specialty Underwater Services discovered additional needed repair work. At the meeting, council authorized issuance of a request for proposals and also to pay an overrun of $18,225 to the contractor. In addition, Parker said an underwater investigation of some of the system’s exposed sheet pilings was outside the surf zone and did not pose a threat to the public.
Airport advisory committee to meet
The Delaware Coastal Airport Advisory Committee will meet at 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 22, at 21769 Aviation Ave., Georgetown.
Manufactured home owners set meeting
The Delaware Manufactured Home Owners Association will hold its monthly general membership meeting at 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 27, via Zoom and in person at Angola Beach & Estates Clubhouse, 22971 Suburban Blvd., Lewes. The nonprofit organization is the only legislative advocate representing the interests of manufactured housing homeowners living on leased land in Delaware. Admission is free and open to anyone living in manufactured housing on leased land. For Zoom call information, go to dmhoa.org or find dmhoahu on Facebook.
Business park on Route 9 plans OK’d
Georgetown Business Plaza LLC can move forward with plans to build the Lewes-Georgetown Business Park. At its March 9 meeting, Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission approved a preliminary site plan for two office buildings and seven warehouse/office buildings on a 22-acre commercially zoned parcel on the north side of Route 9, southwest of the Prettyman Road intersection near Harbeson.
The plans include two medical or office buildings totaling nearly 20,000 square feet along Route 9 and seven, 8,750-square-foot warehouses/offices.
Access will be from Route 9, and the developer will work with Delaware Department of Transportation staff to coordinate off-site road improvements, sidewalks and a shared-use path.
Among conditions imposed in Commissioner Holly Wingate’s motion are a 20-foot perimeter buffer, no outside storage, no fueling or maintenance and no manufacturing. In addition, no retail or food-service businesses are permitted. Each building will be permitted a 32-square-foot sign. The final site plan is subject to review and approval by the commission.
Sussex County Council awards grants
Sussex County Council awarded a $375 councilmanic grant to American Legion Post 8 in Georgetown for flags to be placed on more than 800 veterans’ graves around the county for Memorial Day.
At its Feb. 28 meeting, council awarded a $2,500 councilmanic grant to Paul Kares Inc. to support its Concert for Kids to benefit students in the Cape Henlopen School District.
Fisher’s Cove lot in Lewes 2024 budget
The City of Lewes will pay $500,000 during fiscal year 2024 to purchase a lot in Fisher’s Cove.
The acquisition stems from a settlement agreement with Burke and Rutecki LLC, the developer of Fisher’s Cove.
Mayor Andrew Williams said council currently intends to keep the land as open space but cannot speak for future councils.
Owning the land gives the city membership in the neighborhood homeowners association.
