Sussex denies storage facility, wedding venue

During its final meeting of the year, Sussex County Council took action on five conditional-use applications with implications for the Cape Region.

Council approved an application filed by Beach Bum Distilling for a distillery with tours, tastings and retail sales in a building at the intersection of Nassau and New roads in Lewes. Council also approved a barbecue vendor application at Hopkins Farm Creamery on Dairy Farm Road near Lewes.

The county's planning and zoning commission had recommended approval of both applications.

Council denied two applications including one for a self-storage facility on a 3.7-acre parcel along Old Mill Road near Lewes and another for a wedding venue at the site of the Homestead at Rehoboth Bed and Breakfast along Warrington Road near Rehoboth Beach.

Planning and zoning commissioners had recommended denial of the self-storage facility application but had unanimously recommended approval of the wedding venue application.

Council could not make a decision on an application filed by Christina Abramowicz for a veterinary practice at her home along Old Mill Road near Lewes. Council voted 3-2 to defer action until a January meeting.

Last meeting for Councilman Phillips

It was the last scheduled meeting for Councilman Vance Phillips, R-Laurel, who was defeated in the Republican primary and will be replaced by Republican Rob Arlett of Frankford. Phillips was first elected to council in 1998.

At the end of the meeting, Phillips thanked those who filled council chambers to show him support. “There is no way I can cry because I'm looking around and see so many beautiful faces,” he said. “The only emotion I feel is joy.”

See more in the Friday, Dec. 19 edition.