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MARCH 21, 2006

RBHA Board Meeting

The March 18, 2006 meeting is in the books.  Topics of interest included: Strategic Plan review, continued discussions about our relationship with city businesses, and city cleanliness and aesthetics.  Mayor Cooper, Commissioner Paterson, and Commissioner-candidate Paul Kuhns were among audience members. 

President Libby Stiff provided copies of the Strategic Plan to members and asked that it be reviewed for further discussion in the future.  A copy of the document is posted here.

There was discussion about where our relationship with city businesses fit into our Strategic Plan.  It was agreed that it is addressed in the section "Foster Spirit of Community"; a suggestion to amend a subsection of the item will be considered at a future meeting. It was also suggested that a resolution be passed stating the RBHA's support of a viable and diversified business community in Rehoboth Beach.  The support for the concept of a resolution led to a call for further consideration of a survey to assess residents' opinions about the business community.

Next, the Board heard a report from member Dave Ronovech about city cleanliness and aesthetics.  Mr. Ronovech cites a number of provisions in the Comprehensive Development Plan which underscore the importance of maintaining clean beaches, boardwalk and other areas of the city.  He provided an outline of issues involving litter, debris and trash.  A copy of this document may be seen here.  An action plan developed earlier was also discussed.  Mr. Ronovech said that he intends to meet with various city officials to promote consideration of these issues.  The trash collection ordinance and any other relevant code provisions will also be analyzed.  The ensuing dialogue brought out issues about cigarette butts on the beach and a call to ban smoking on the beach, the methods used to containerize trash, when it is collected, and the impact on city service providers, renters, and maybe rental agents.  Mayor Cooper reacted saying the City has addressed the issue before and he would address it again if homeowners brought it forward.  He said that, “the pushback would be tremendous,” suggesting this could be a controversial matter.  He said that the process is about finding the middle ground and shifting what has been the middle ground. 

There were a couple of items under Good of the Order.  Fritz Hessemer gave details of the RBHA/VIA dune grass planting event scheduled for Saturday, March 25, 2006 at 9:00 am at the VIA property Grennoble and the Boardwalk [just south of Stuart Kingston].  There will be 1,600 – 2,000 plants available.  Plantings will be at street ends at the south end of the Boardwalk. 

Fritz also raised another issue, questioning progress of the CDP and when there would be another CDP workshop.  The Mayor responded that no further workshops had been scheduled, although he added that there may be more workshops on specific items.  However, Commissioner Ron Paterson stated that various CDP issues had been divvied up among the Board of Commissioners, noting that he and Commissioner McGuiness were working on rental and vacation housing matters and that he expected to report on their study in the near future.  He also mentioned that Commissioners McGuiness and DeWitt were working on FAR adjustments and “take-backs.”  Clarifying discussion, Marcia Maldeis pointed out that the CDP was not a rulebook; it was written by the Planning Commission, presented to the Board of Commissioners who can then consider each separate item and vote it up or down.

Magazine Article

If you haven’t already seen it, “Boardwalk & Beyond” is a must-read article in the March 2006 edition of Coastal Living.  Great pictures and story about Rehoboth Beach and how it is evolving into a year-round destination!

You might find an electronic version at http://www.coastalliving.com/, although it was not posted as of this writing.

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