NEWS FROM THE RBHA

October 18, 2005

RBHA General Meeting

The Rehoboth Beach Homeowners’ Association held its annual General Meeting on October 15, 2005.  President Libby Stiff opened the meeting with an inspiring speech about the past present and future of the organization and the need for involvement of members. 

Mayor Sam Cooper, the featured speaker, spoke about the CDP and the process to achieve its goals.  He offered some history of the project and identified plans for upcoming workshops (aka charrettes).  The first meeting has been scheduled for November12 at the Cape Henlopen Senior Center on Christian Street from 9:00 to 1:00.  The mayor characterized development in the city as a phenomenon driven by “profiteers,” a “frenzy for housing, which is washing over the business community.”  In answer to a question about the rezoning of the school property, Mr. Cooper said no substantive action has occurred.  However, he recently met with the new school district superintendent, Dr. George Stone, and was encouraged by the superintendent’s remark that schools are best located in communities.  [See the September 2005 RBHA Newsletter for details of RBHA’s meeting with Dr. Stone.] 

Mayor Cooper also spoke about other issues.  He is optimistic about the Streetscape project.  He said all expectations are that it will be done by the end of June [2006].  He is pessimistic about DelDOT’s “Entrance” project; he noted that there are no state funds to acquire key properties such as the Aimes property, which has been appraised at $8.3 million.  He commented on the progress of the beach replenishment project, noting that dune grass will be planted in December and that the snow fencing is permanent.  The Mayor also noted that the city needs a new City Hall, but quickly added that it will be a pretty expensive project.

CDP Implementation Open House

The City held an Open House to address the process of implementing the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP).  Kyle Gulbronson, Senior Analyst at URS, the City’s consultant, described the meeting as a “public participation strategy.  Mr. Gulbronson made a PowerPoint presentation providing some history and then focusing on “community character.”  He noted that the character of the community is at the heart of the strategy.  It is Chapter 7 of the CDP [see the Comprehensive Development Plan].  The remainder of the presentation highlighted the effort to develop goals and identify strategies to achieve the goals.  Next, Mr. Gulbronson presented the schedule for further discussions: the first charrette on November 12 detailed above, a second charrette, a Follow-up Open House, and Public Hearing(s)—all to be determined.  Finally, a survey form was distributed, which should be completed and returned by October 21, 2005.  The results of the survey and your comments will guide discussion topics during the upcoming workshops.  To participate in this survey, click here, print out and complete the survey, and fax it to 302-933-0320 or mail to: URS Corporation, 201 W. DuPont Highway, Millsboro, DE 19966.

Another Important Variance Case

Another Board of Adjustment case involves Epworth United Methodist Church.  The church property itself is the subject of a variance application to be heard on October 24, 2005.  The church asserts that a 10’ X 100’ portion of its property may be the subject of a claim of adverse possession by the owner of the adjacent east-side property.  The church alleges that the potential for litigation creates a hardship and could reduce the possible number of dwelling units from three to two.  Click here to view a copy of relevant pages of the application.  You will see there is no effort to promote the use of the property as a business site.  Like the previous application involving the other church property—which RBHA has resolved to oppose, it is questionable that the hardship claims are viable.  Be aware: both of these cases will be heard at the October 24 hearing, 7:00 pm, at City Hall.

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