News Briefs 5/30/23
Affordable housing bill passes Senate
The Delaware Senate has passed legislation to encourage more public and private investment in the construction of new affordable housing units. Sponsored by Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 87 would fully exempt affordable housing projects funded by nonprofits and government entities from the state’s portion of the realty transfer tax.
By effectively lowering the cost for both buyers and sellers, SS 1 for SB 87 is aimed to spur growth among the housing stock most within reach for low- and medium-income families.
“Towns and counties have a lot of leverage when it comes to determining what types of housing get built in their jurisdictions,” said Huxtable. “The bill we passed [May 25] will encourage our local jurisdictions to participate in the growth of affordable housing more robustly, while streamlining existing transfer tax exemptions for first-time homebuyers. While we still have a lot of work left to do around affordable housing, I want to thank my Senate colleagues for taking this important step to make sure our tax code aligns with our values and the needs of our residents.”
First-time homebuyers are also exempt from paying the realty transfer tax on the first $400,000 of their home’s value if they occupy the home within 90 days of purchase.
SS 1 for SB 87 would amend that exemption to include first-time home buyers who occupy a residence within 90 days of obtaining a certificate of occupancy, a change that would allow people who buy property with plans to build a home more time to qualify for the exemption. SS 1 for SB 87 now heads to the House for consideration.
Lewes historic group meeting June 1
The Lewes Historic Preservation Architectural Review Commission will meet at 6 p.m., Thursday, June 1, at city hall.
The agenda includes discussions and possible action on applications for improvements at 322 Savannah Road, 113 McFee St. and 151 Kings Highway. Commissioners will be updated on the Daisey family’s application.
New business includes discussing improvements to review criteria and the joint site review process. See the meeting agenda and link at lewes.civicweb.net.
Dewey commissioners set workshop June 2
Dewey Beach commissioners will hold a workshop and meeting about the proposed town hall and police station at 3 p.m., Friday, June 2, at the Lifesaving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave. Council will discuss and possibly vote on the construction budget, maximum building height and square footage, location and number of parking spaces, and exterior design style.
For the agenda, go to townofdeweybeach.com.
Assault weapon certificates offered
The Department of Safety and Homeland Security is offering certificates for people who legally obtained an assault weapon prior to June 30, 2022.
The Delaware Lethal Firearms Safety Act of 2022 prohibits the manufacture, sale, offer to sell, transfer, purchase, receipt, possession or transport of assault weapons in Delaware, but offers an exception to those who acquired the weapons before June 30, 2022. Residents who meet the exception are not required to obtain a certificate of possession, officials said, but a certificate is proof that the exception is legitimate.
In Sussex County, certificates will be provided from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at Troop 7, 19444 Mulberry Knoll Road, Lewes.
In order to receive a certificate, a person must provide: a valid Delaware driver’s license, ID card or U.S. passport; a dated bill of sale, receipt of purchase, or record of transfer from a licensed firearms dealer for weapons prior to June 30, 2022; and for inherited weapons, a will or other documentation showing the weapon was inherited.
Residents must bring the weapons for which the certificate is sought, but all weapons must be unloaded and left secured in their vehicles. Residents must enter the buildings unarmed. DSHS will not maintain any record of the certificate’s issuance.
For more information, call 302-744-2680 or email DEFirearmSafetyAct@delaware.gov.
Henlopen Acres seeks 2023 election candidates
All candidates for Henlopen Acres town commissioner shall file their notice of intention to seek office with the town manager or mayor by 4:30 p.m., Friday, July 14.
For the 2023 election, voters will be electing three candidates to the board of commissioners for three-year terms.
Mayor Joni Reich, and Commissioners John Staffier and Tim Hidell are those whose terms are up.
The town charter requires that a majority of commissioners be bona fide residents of the town, which means a minimum of two resident commissioners will be elected this year.
Accordingly, prospective candidates will be requested to file their intent to run as a resident or nonresident. There is no maximum limit of resident commissioners.
The annual election for Henlopen Acres will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Aug. 26, at town hall, 104 Tidewaters.
Anyone interested in obtaining an absentee ballot packet should contact town hall at 302-227-6411. The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot to be sent by mail is 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 22.
Absentee ballots must be received at town hall no later than noon, Saturday, Aug. 26.
