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April 15, 2006

[Up, up and away!  The top of the new Banstand is lifted onto its support structure on Thursday morning April 13, 2006. 

More pictures below.]

COUNCILMAN GEORGE COLE

“There shouldn’t be politics in land use.”  That’s how the Honorable George B. Cole, (R) Council Representative for the fourth District of Sussex County summed up his 45 minute conversation with the Rehoboth Beach Homeowner’s’ Association on Saturday, April 15, 2006. 

Mr. Cole, whose district includes Rehoboth Beach, regaled the audience of 20 + members with fascinating descriptions of how the Sussex County Council uses politics to further their land use goals.  A native of Rehoboth Beach, Mr. Cole said he was raised on Olive Avenue, near the location of Saturday’s meeting.  He is a proud graduate of Rehoboth Beach High School. 

As Mr. Cole described it, he came on to the Council at a time when the “good ole boy” system flourished.  He said to some extent it still exists, but it’s gotten worse; “it’s out of control!” he said.  He talked about the relationship of many of the Councilmen with developers, how close the last election was for both incumbents, and how the upcoming election could be interesting if the Democrats select a credible candidate to face off against Vance Phillips, whose term is up this year. 

Pulling no punches, Mr. Cole said the current land use process is “a joke.”  He said the Council is going to revise the previously adopted land use plan, which he said has never been implemented because the underlying ordinances have never been created.  He described the myriad of land use/housing programs—affordable, moderate, “smart development” [he prefers “dumb development”], Environmental Development Districts, TDRs [Transfer Development Rights].  He spoke about the most recent iteration; he called it “Let’s Sell Density!”  He explained how developers made lemonade out of lemons with the controversial two parking space limit on townhouses; they walked away with three spaces and larger structures.

Although Mr. Cole’s presentation was bleak, his cheery personality and light-hearted approach were certainly entertaining!

OTHER RBHA MEETING NEWS

The noise complaints addressed at the last Commissioner’s meeting (March 20, 2006) led to a discussion of RBHA’s previous stance on the matter.  It will be reviewed at the next meeting and if appropriate will be a point of consideration of the Ordinance Committee. 

The Communications Committee will take up the method and outcome of the Sussex Street Rezoning Survey.  The objective will be to systematize the process as well as encourage participation by members.

SURVEY RESULTS

The Sussex Street Rezoning Survey was an unqualified success.  The survey was conducted from March 27, 2006 to April 10, 2006.  Fifty persons participated.  Roughly half of the 411 members have provided eMail addresses.  Just under 25%, 46 responses, of those registered responded.  Because the survey was posted on the RBHA website, it was possible for non-members to participate.  Four responses were received from persons not currently members.  Three responding members are property owners at affected addresses on Sussex Street. 

The total results indicate that 41 persons are FOR the rezoning on Sussex Street; nine are AGAINST. 

Although we informed participants that we would submit the details of the responses to the Mayor and Commissioners and that—implicitly—the data would become public information, we have for reasons of privacy removed the homeowners’ names from the charts below.  We have retained the full information in our records, including copies of the original eMail responses.  To the extent Commissioners desire to verify the authenticity of the data, RBHA will provide access to the material.

The RBHA Board of Directors passed a resolution to support the rezoning of the designated houses on Sussex Street.

SOLA3 WORKSHOP

At the invitation of Mayor Cooper and the Rehoboth Beach Commissioners, Save Our Lakes Alliance 3 will host a workshop to provide you with information about our three area lakes – their importance to the environmental quality of our community and the threats they face as the area continues to grow in popularity.  SOLA3 is a 501 (c) (3) organization incorporated in Delaware with a mission "To preserve and protect Lake Gerar, Silver Lake and Lake Comegys.   

This informative and fun workshop will be on Saturday, May 6, 2006, 8:30A-2:00P, at the Atlantic Sands Hotel.   A complimentary continental breakfast and lunch will be served to all who register.  John Hughes, Secretary of Delaware's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, will deliver the keynote address.  Experts will address improvements made to Lake Gerar, the lakes' ecology and storm water management.

All registered attendees will be eligible for prizes.  The $5 registration fee is a real bargain considering all you'll learn, plus a FREE continental breakfast and lunch.  To register send your check for $5 made payable to SOLA3, PO Box 1504, Rehoboth Beach DE, 19971.  For questions, contact saveourlakes3@aol.com or call (302) 227-3786.  Attendance is limited to the first 75 registrations so act quickly.  Walk-in registrations will be accepted at the door if space is available.

You may also find more information about SOLA3 and the upcoming workshop at the RBHA website; go to http://www.rbhomeowners.com/groups.html.

DELMARVA POWER

You have a choice to make. On May 1st, Delaware electric rates are set to increase because of rising fuel costs. You can either pay the entire increase now or phase it in over time. If you do not want to phase in these higher rates, you must let Delmarva Power know; you must notify the company by April 28, 2006.  For those who opt out of the gradual increase rates could increase an average of $54 or more per month.  However, persons who do not contact the power company will pay interest over the period of the gradual rate increase.  Call Delmarva Power at 877-285-9316 or go to http://www.delmarva.com/home/.

OTHER STUFF

Here are some more pictures of the Bandstand superstructure being erected. 

The sand is back on the beach, too!  Below are several pictures taken in front of the Star of the Sea over the winter; note how the sand, which went away in October, is now back [in spite of someone’s dire predictions!].

October 2005: Piling on right, 6 feet	January 2006: Piling about 3 1/2 feet	April 2006: Piling around 30 inches

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