Rehoboth needs preservation incentives

The Barefootin' column in the Feb. 17 edition of the Gazette discussed the undiminishing pace of demolition requests in Rehoboth Beach. The fact that the public is even aware of pending demolitions results from an ordinance passed in 2006. That ordinance requires notification signs to be placed in front of structures for which demolition permit applications have been filed.

Further, it requires public notices to be placed in newspapers to advertise the pending demolitions. Preamble language in the notification, published at the time the ordinance was passed, states, in part: "Demolitions of the City's historic and characteristic structures have been occurring at an alarming rate . . . ." It goes on to say: "The purpose of this ordinance is to promote the City's goal of protecting historic and characteristic structures . . . ."

The problem is, the notification process is as far as city officials have gone to protect "historic and characteristic" structures. In 2015 and 2016 alone, applications for more than 30 demolition permits were filed in Rehoboth Beach. In the first two months of 2017, applications for two demolition permits have been filed.

According to one individual involved with development in Rehoboth Beach, several more are already in the works for 2017. Most of the demolitions have proceeded, and many nice, and usually larger, new houses have been built in their place. No instances come to mind of any demolition request being denied or forestalled as a result of a preservation effort.

If Rehoboth Beach is truly serious about protecting historic and characteristic structures, city officials clearly have to do more than what's being done now. One of the structures for which demolition is pending dates back to 1917. In terms of Rehoboth Beach history, 1917 is ancient. The structure on Brooklyn Avenue is also a classic representative of the American Foursquare style of architecture. Ocean-block lots such as where this particular structure is located are hugely valuable, and owners want updated structures.

Absent prohibitions in a get-tough preservation ordinance, if Rehoboth wants owners to even consider including preservation elements in their plans, tax breaks, relaxed building requirements, elimination of city fees for property owners seeking to repair or preserve, and other incentives will have to be discussed.