The City of Rehoboth Beach held two Special Meetings on
Saturday, March, 28, 2009. The first dealt with the Annual
Budget. The second was a Public Hearing on the matter of
rezoning an area at Canal, Sixth, Grove Streets and Rehoboth Avenue.
The Board of Commissioners adopted the FY 2010 Budget.
The Budget is balanced at just over $14, million.
As to the rezoning, there was more than three hours of
testimony by Planning Commission officials, representatives of the
Oak Grove Motor Lodge—the party with principal interest in the
proposed action, the Canalside Inn owners—who have opposed the
rezoning since it was proposed, seven written comments, and a dozen
testimonials by a variety of residents—both within and outside the
affected neighborhood. Like lightening Commissioner Dennis
Barbour made a motion to rezone the subject area when the Public
Hearing was completed. In spite of a request for more time to
consider the information and testimony offered that morning by
Commissioner Stan Mills and in spite of a motion by Commissioner
Kathy McGuiness for a compromise that would have carved out an
exception for the owners of the Canalside Inn, which failed for lack
of a second, the matter was approved by a vote of 4-3. The
justification of the majority seemed to be that the opportunity to
consider mixed use was lost with the development of the Park Place
property [at Canal Street and State Road].
The Board of Adjustments met on Monday, March 23rd.
There were two items on the agenda. The request by the Green
Turtle for a variance was back on the agenda due to the fact that
the time for the original request had expired. This item was
tabled because the attorney for the Board of Adjustment was not able
to attend. The citizens that were present representing the
Green Turtle did not have a problem with it being pushed into the
next month
The second item was for a variance for an exterior landing
and stairway to be constructed in a setback area. This is for
the property located at 42 1/2 Baltimore Avenue. The fire
marshal has ruled that the resident living in the second floor
apartment could no longer use the entrance through the restaurant.
There was discussion on the matter as it relates to a request to
deny it from the owner of the property that is next door.
It was determined that if there is a legal issue and court order in
place denying this stairway, it would have no impact on the decision
that the Board of Adjustments would render. That issue is a
civil issue and one that should be settled or litigated separately.
Granting this does not go against the court order. After the
discussion, it was agreed to grant the variance to Patricia
Whittier, the owner of the property. The meeting adjourned at
8:30 PM
Here are several sets of
pictures taken recently.
Boardwalk Update – A portion of the new reconstructed
boardwalk opened last weekend. Several blocks at the south end
of the project still remain unfinished. See the pictures here.
Do you use Facebook? According to a recent blog by
Chriss Riss, Rehoboth Beach users are many and growing. A variety
of businesses including, Rehoboth Beach Buzz (Chris’ blog), MASS
Rehoboth Beach, Clear Space Productions, CAMP Rehoboth, The Cape
Gazette, Rehoboth Beach Main Street, and Aqua Grill, can be found.
Would this make sense for RBHA. Let us know what you think.
It’s that time of year. A new membership list is out
and we will be going over it to purge persons whose membership is
not current. If you enjoy these periodic communiqués, you
don’t want to be on the outside looking in. Membership
renewals were issued at the beginning of the year. If you’re
not sure of your status, ask us; we let you know!
Save Our Lakes Alliance 3 (SOLA3) is holding its fifth
annual Lakes Clean-up on Saturday, May 16,2009 from 9:00 ‘til noon.
Volunteers are needed to participate in this important event.
Work will take place at two locations – (1) Silver Lake: at the
wildlife refuge, just south of the Silver Lake Bridge, and (2) Lake
Comegys: at the Lake Comegys Town House Association dock, off
Cottage Lane (accessed through Pine Lane at Silver Lake Drive).
If you have a kayak, canoe or paddle boat, please bring it for
on-the-water clean-up. For further information contact Tom
Zellars, 302.226.0554, 443.386.9241; or
atzellers@yahoo.com;
or
saveourlakes3@aol.com