News Briefs 4/5/22
Rehoboth BoA OKs Bellmoor request
During a meeting March 28, the Rehoboth Beach Board of Adjustment approved a variance request for the Bellmoor Inn, 6 Christian St., permitting an additional 588 square feet of concrete surface for the outdoor pool area.
Representing the Bellmoor Inn, Benjamin Gray, general manager, said the inn’s request was coming from customers looking for a more wheelchair-accessible pool area. The board approved the variance with a condition that the inn use permeable concrete pavers to reduce stormwater runoff onto neighboring properties.
Rehoboth commission rules on tree removals
The Rehoboth Beach Parks and Shade Tree Commission conducted three appeal hearings March 28, approving two of the applications and denying the third.
The first hearing was related to the removal of one multi-stem shrub located along the unimproved right-of-way adjacent to 30 Park Ave. The commission approved this appeal.
The second hearing concerned removal of two specimen pine trees located along an unimproved right-of-way adjacent to 94 Henlopen Ave. In this case, the applicant argued the trees were the cause of clogged sewer pipes. The commission denied this appeal because the applicant couldn’t confirm whether or not the sewer connection was replaced when he rebuilt his house in the early 2000s.
The commission reasoned that until the original 70-year-old sewer connection was replaced or the applicant could prove it had been replaced, it was impossible to know if the trees were related to the problem.
The third hearing dealt with removal of a juniper street tree located along an unimproved right-of-way adjacent to 138 Henlopen Ave. In this case, the commission ultimately approved the tree removal, but also issued a $1,000 fine because the contractor built the driveway different from what the plans called for.
Rehoboth green committee to meet
The Rehoboth Beach Trees & Green Infrastructure Committee will meet at 10 a.m., Friday, April 8.
The agenda calls for continued discussion on tree ordinance revision, plans for Arbor Day, mapping for the commemorative tree program and tree selection for a city-wide tree tour.
The meeting will be conducted in person in the commissioners room of city hall, 229 Rehoboth Ave.
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 historic preservation to meet
The Lewes Historic Preservation Architectural Review Commission will meet at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 7, at city hall and via Zoom. The group will hold a public hearing for a request to demolish a contributing home at 404 Rodaline Ave.
The request will be considered at the regular meeting following the hearing. Also on the agenda is a request to demolish an existing garage at 324 Savannah Road, a contributing structure, and construct a new accessory building.
The group will consider a request for the demolition of an existing garage and addition to the home at 358 Chestnut St., a potentially contributing structure.
The full agenda and a link to the meeting can be found at lewes.civicweb.net.
Lewes BPW to discuss rates April 6
The Lewes Board of Public Works will meet at 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 6, at city hall, to discuss and vote on rate increases, and the fiscal year 2023 and and five-year capital budgets.
A link to the meeting can be found at lewesbpw.delaware.gov.
Black Student Union Summit set April 9
The Delaware Racial Justice Collaborative announced the first statewide Black Student Union Summit will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 9, at the Chase Fieldhouse in Wilmington.
The student-led summit aims to create networking opportunities for Delaware students who are in or wish to organize a black student union in their high school or college. Skye Jackson, one of three students who launched the "Black At" Instagram movement and a founder of the National Black Student Alliance, is the keynote speaker. Jackson will share tips for launching or maintaining a Black student union, and ideas for working effectively with student advisors and school administrators.
The summit will include breakout sessions and a panel discussion on finding one’s passion in social justice. Separate workshops for teachers, advisors and school administrators will offer advice for recruiting and engaging students in student unions, advocating for students and building effective communities within the school environment.
The three Delaware high schools that attract the most attendance will earn a $500 cash prize.
Free student transportation is available at pickup/drop-off sites in Georgetown, Milford and Middletown.
To register, go to uwde.org.
Henlopen Acres public hearing April 8
Henlopen Acres mayor and commissioners will hold a public hearing at 10 a.m., Friday, April 8, at town hall, 104 Tidewaters, to receive public comment on a resolution to amend the permitted uses section of the zoning code.
As proposed, the ordinance would delete the words “use for family” from subsection 130-17.D, so it would read, “Any accessory structure or recreational use requiring the construction or installation of a pad, court, or combination thereof, except a swimming pool, shall not be placed on any property unless provided by special exception by the Board of Adjustment.”
A copy of the proposed amendment is available from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at town hall, or on the town website at henlopenacres.delaware.gov. For more information, call 302-227-6411 or email townhall@henlopenacres.com.
Dewey climate change group to meet April 9
The Dewey Beach Climate Change Committee will meet virtually at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 9. Members will discuss a process for collating information and producing a report that contains short- and long-term town goals. Members will provide updates on outreach to like-minded organizations, potential funding sources, and current activities in Rehoboth and Lewes.
The group will discuss possible strategies and remedies for stormwater management and sea-level rise.
A link to the meeting is available at townofdeweybeach.com.
Khalsa Jewelers to help children of Ukraine
Khalsa Jewelers, located at 119 2nd St. in Lewes, will be hosting a fundraiser to aid Ukrainian children from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 9, and Sunday, April 10. Doors will be open to the public to enjoy treats and wine to shop the store’s collection of beautiful jewelry. A donation of 20% of all proceeds will be given to UNICEF to provide humanitarian relief for children living in Ukraine during this difficult time.
“We are all part of the human family,” said Paul Cheng, the founder of Khalsa Jewelers, a 40-year-old family business rooted in the Delaware community. “As part of this family, we have the responsibility and privilege to ensure the well-being and safety of children. We at Khalsa are inviting the community to help us raise funds for the children of Ukraine.”
To learn more, go to www.khalsajewelers.com.
