News Briefs 3/1/24

Prescribed burn set for McCabe Preserve 

The Nature Conservancy will be conducting a prescribed burn at the Edward H. McCabe Preserve along Round Pole Bridge Road in Milton between Tuesday, March 5 and Tuesday, April 30. Prescribed burns are conducted under precise, closely monitored weather conditions and by a specially trained crew that is nationally qualified. Every precaution is taken, and the burns will not take place if the proper weather and fuel conditions required by the Nature Conservancy’s burn plan are not met. The Nature Conservancy uses prescribed fire to maintain the health and resilience of forests and grasslands. It increases new growth of native vegetation, increases biodiversity of plant species, minimizes the spread of pests and disease, and recycles nutrients back to the soil. Prescribed fire has the added benefit of reducing wildfire risk by reducing fuel (vegetation) build-up. 

Rezoning on Sussex March 5 agenda

Sussex County Council will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 5, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. Included on the agenda is a possible vote on a rezoning application filed by Ocean One Holdings LLC from AR-1, agricultural-residential, to C-3, heavy commercial district, for a 65-acre parcel at the intersection of Route 16 and Route 1 near Milton. Also on the agenda is discussion of the Preliminary Land Use Service memorandum of understanding and an amendment to the memorandum of understanding with the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Division of State Police.

A full agenda and meeting materials are available at sussexcountyde.gov/agendas-minutes/county-council. Meetings are held in person, livestreamed at sussexcountyde.gov/council-chamber-broadcast, and available by phone at 302-394-5036 using code 570176.

Preliminary approval for four solar farms

At its Feb. 21 meeting, Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission granted preliminary site-plan approval to four solar farm projects: 36 acres on East Trap Pond Road near Laurel. adjacent to an existing Delaware Electric Cooperative solar array; 16 acres on Lofland Road and North Old Stage Road near Lincoln; 24 acres on Gravel Hill Road near Georgetown; and 29 acres on Thorogoods Road near Dagsboro.

Rehoboth workshop slated for March 4

Rehoboth Beach commissioners will hold a workshop at 9 a.m., Monday, March 4, in the city hall commissioners room, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda includes continued discussions on committee structures, a new fishing pier at Lake Gerar, and conversion of non-habitable basements into finished spaces. The agenda also includes discussions on the hiring of a new city solicitor, possible rezoning of 60 Sussex St. from residential to commercial, and a possible amendment to city code related to changing the definition of “substantially modify.”

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.

Rehoboth budget workshop March 4

Rehoboth Beach commissioners will hold a budget workshop at 2 p.m., Monday, March 4, in the city hall commissioners room, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The city’s budget runs April 1 to March 31. This will be the third budget meeting. City staff has presented a $38.9 million budget, with a $4.6 million deficit. To address some of the deficit, city commissioners approved an across-the-board increase in parking-related revenue sources and rental taxes. Commissioners are expected to discuss an increase in the city’s property tax and wastewater rates. 

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.

Milton Town Council to meet March 4

Milton Town Council will meet at 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 4, at Milton library to finalize the annexation agreement for the Scarlet Oaks property.

Town voters agreed Feb. 3 to annex 50 acres at the corner of Shingle Point Road and Harbeson Road. That land is proposed for development as Scarlet Oaks, a 163-unit community. 

In other old business, council will discuss a request from the historic preservation commission for more time to review the town’s community design guide, discuss an ordinance to allow sales of alcoholic beverages at nonprofit events, and consider town improvements using money raised by the Granary at Draper Farm’s special development district.

In new business, council will discuss a request by Kellie McGinnis, 425 Federal St., for a waiver of the requirement to install a sidewalk and curb. 

Four media outlets – Coastal Point, Visit Rehoboth, Cape Gazette and CAMP Rehoboth – are seeking approval to put newsstands on the sidewalk near Milton Theatre. 

Council will discuss a request by the economic development committee to reimburse legal fees for a Main Street nonprofit, and a request from Fernmoor Homes to dedicate phases 4 and 5 of Heritage Creek, discuss the future of the art crosswalks at the Federal Street/Mulberry Street intersection, discuss an ordinance related to nuisances, and finalize the fiscal year 2024 fee schedule.

Milton election set for March 2

Milton’s municipal election will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, March 2, at Milton fire hall.

Three candidates are seeking two town council seats: incumbents Fred Harvey and Lee Revis-Plank, and Erin Willis, a member of the town’s parks and recreation committee. 

The winning candidates will serve three-year terms.

Those wishing to vote by absentee ballot must submit a completed affidavit to town hall by noon, Friday, March 1. Absentee ballots must be received by 6 p.m., March 2.

The results will be announced around 6:30 p.m. outside Milton Town Hall. 

Lewes annexation panel to meet 

The Lewes Annexation Subcommittee will meet at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 5, at city hall.

The panel will discuss and possibly take action on a final report and recommendation to mayor and council on whether to annex three parcels located along Savannah Road.

See the full agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.

Lewes BOA public hearing March 5

The Lewes Board of Adjustment will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 5, at city hall.

It will hold a public hearing on a variance request for a property located at 304 Market St., seeking to allow a second-floor addition to encroach into the side-yard setbacks.

See the full agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.

Lewes to hold public hearings March 4

Lewes Mayor and City Council will hold three public hearings beginning at 5:30 p.m., Monday, March 4, at the Rollins Center.

The first hearing is for a proposed ordinance to allow ambient music at local restaurants.

The second is for a proposed ordinance that would clarify definitions of pervious and impervious materials.

The third hearing is for a proposed ordinance would create protection requirements for trees during construction. 

See the full agenda and meeting link at lewes.civicweb.net.

State Forest Road to close March 4-6

State Forest Road between Deer Forest Road and Wilson Hill Road near Georgetown will be closed Monday, March 4, through Wednesday, March 6, for a crossroad pipe replacement.

Detour: Traffic on northbound State Forest Road will turn right on Wilson Hill Road, turn left on Hunting Club Road, turn left on Deer Forest Road, returning to State Forest Road. Traffic on southbound State Forest Road will turn left on Deer Forest Road, turn right on Hunting Club Road, turn right on Wilson Hill Road, returning to State Forest Road.

Turkey hunting course March 3 in Lewes

The state’s Division of Fish and Wildlife will offer a turkey hunting course at 8 a.m., Sunday, March 3, at Lewes Fire Department Station 2, 32198 Janice Road near the Nassau Bridge. Resident and nonresident hunters must pass a division-approved turkey hunting course before they can legally hunt turkeys in Delaware. Hunters must carry proof of both turkey hunting safety education and basic hunter safety education.

Preregistration is required. To register, use the Digital DNREC Hunter Education system or call 302-735-3600, Ext. 1. 

Find more information on wild turkey hunting in Delaware in the Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide.

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