News Briefs 12/6/24

December 6, 2024

Lewes planners cancel Dec. 6 meeting

The Lewes Planning Commission has canceled its meeting set for 9 a.m., Friday, Dec. 6, at the Rollins Center.

The group is next scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18, at the Rollins Center.

Children's nativity pageant set at St. Jude Dec. 7

St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church will hold its annual children's nativity pageant, “Darkness Into Light,” at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, at 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes. The pageant celebrates the Christmas spirit with fluttering angels, regal kings and adoring shepherds as children depict the story of Christ's birth as narrated by John the Baptist. There is no admission charge, but nonperishable food items will be collected for those in need.

UUSD to meet Dec. 8

The Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware will hold a service at 10 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, with The Season of Invitation as the topic. The Rev. Heather Rion Starr said, “In these tumultuous times, we might more mindfully consider each outreach and invitation we extend. Who are you inviting into your home, into your life, this season? What ideas, spiritual teachings and wisdom are you inviting into your soul-life? In this time of winter, of turning inward into furnace-warmed and firelit gatherings, we will investigate the idea of invitation.”

The fall new member ceremony will also occur during the Dec. 8 service. For more information, go to uussd.org.

Lewes mayor and council to meet Dec. 9

Lewes Mayor and City Council will hold its regular monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 9, at city hall.

The agenda includes discussion and possible action on an ordinance to place no-parking signs on both sides of Savannah Road from city limits to Drake Knoll.

Rehoboth workshop slated for Dec. 9

Rehoboth Beach commissioners will hold a workshop at 9:30 a.m., Monday, Dec. 9, in the city hall commissioners room, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The agenda includes discussions on the regional wastewater partnership proposed by Lewes Board of Public Works and Sussex County, creation of a fund balance and net position policy, expanding the metered parking and permit season to run from May 1 through Oct. 31, and issues regarding committee structure.

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.

Shore Marketplace sip and shop set Dec. 9

Shore Marketplace will hold its annual holiday market sip and shop featuring a variety of artisans and vendors Monday, Dec. 9, at 17689 Coastal Highway, Lewes. Donations of canned food will be collected to help people in need locally. The store opens at 10 a.m., and door prizes will be given away throughout the day. From 4 to 7 p.m., shoppers can enjoy light refreshments and special events including live music by Ed Shockley, a local artist performing solo with a mix of his own music and well-known favorite tunes.

Sussex County BoA meets Dec. 9

The Sussex County Board of Adjustment will meet at 6 p.m., Monday, Dec. 9, at the County Administration Building in Georgetown. Among other issues, the board will consider a variance request to encroach into the rear-yard setback at 34945 Ensign Crest, Lewes, in the Bay Crossing development. See the full agenda at sussexcountyde.gov.

Two special Rehoboth meetings Dec. 9

Rehoboth Beach commissioners will hold two special meetings Monday, Dec. 9, in the city hall commissioners room, 229 Rehoboth Ave. The first, starting at 9 a.m., is related to filling the vacant seat of former Commissioner Don Preston, who stepped down Nov. 20. There are nearly two full years left on his term. A workshop will follow the first meeting, and the second special meeting, to begin after the workshop, is related to filling the city solicitor position that has been vacant since former Solicitor Alex Burns stepped down in late October.

Lewes architectural panel to meet Dec. 10

The Lewes Historic Preservation Architectural Review Commission will meet at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10, at the Rollins Center.

The agenda includes discussion and possible action on an application to remove rotting cedar siding at a property at 701 Savannah Road.

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

Milton historic commission to meet

Milton Historic Preservation Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10, at Milton library to review one new request.

John Betts, 417 Chestnut St., is seeking approval to install asphalt shingles to replace old ones that were removed.

Sussex County Council sets meeting Dec. 10

Sussex County Council will meet at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10, at the County Administration Building in Georgetown. A public hearing will be held at 10:15 a.m. regarding an ordinance to amend code to include the imposition of a lodging tax of 3% for short-term rentals. At 10:30 a.m., a pair of public hearings will be held regarding changing design criteria for all subdivisions and preliminary site-plan requirements. At 1:30 p.m., a public hearing will be held regarding a conditional-use request for a small business to service gas stations at 8913 Clendaniel Pond Road, Lincoln. There will also be a public hearing for a conditional-use request to build a five-unit multifamily dwelling at 20455 Lincoln St., Rehoboth Beach. Finally, a public hearing will be held regarding a request to amend conditions of approval for Village Center Cottages to remove the requirement for a gate between the community and the Governors subdivision, as well as landscaping requirements. See the full agenda at sussexcountyde.gov.

Sussex P&Z to meet Dec. 11

The Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission will meet at 3 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the County Administration Building in Georgetown. The commission will consider approval of the amenities plan for Miralon, and preliminary site plan and landscape plan approval for The Woods at Angola Beach. The group will also consider a conditional-use request for Twin Branch Winery for a farm winery with a tasting room and events venue. Commissioners will consider a request to amend conditions of approval for Village Center Cottages to remove the requirement for a gate between the community and the Governors subdivision, as well as landscaping requirements. Finally, the commission will hold a public hearing on a conditional-use request to construct an electronic message center sign at 32454 and 32462 Coastal Hwy., Lewes, near the intersection of Route 1 and Route 9.

Milton to meet on workforce housing

Milton’s Ad Hoc Workforce Housing Committee will meet at 4 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 12, at Grace Church, to continue discussion of the committee’s draft advisory report regarding affordable/workforce housing within Milton.

The committee’s report is due to council by Monday, Feb. 3.

Friends of Lewes library holiday sale set Dec. 13-14

The Friends of the Lewes Public Library will host an Old and New holiday sale from 3 to 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 13, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, at the library, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes.

Shoppers can explore a wide variety of rare and collectible books and movies, new children’s books, holiday cards, new library T-shirts and other gifts. Lewes-themed items exclusive to the library such as hats, socks and keychains will also be available.

“This fun, festive event is a great opportunity to purchase unique gifts – everything from collectible books to our new, exclusive Lewes drink coasters – all while benefiting the Lewes Public Library,” said Candace Vessella, Friends president.

Shoppers who purchase the Friends’ exclusive cotton throw featuring the library’s historic locations in Lewes will receive a free Friends tote bag valued at $22.

Admission to the sale is free, and all are welcome. Free gift-wrapping is available. Credit cards will be accepted for purchases of $10 or more. Proceeds benefit the Friends of the Lewes Public Library.

Genealogical society to meet Dec. 14

The Sussex County Genealogical Society will hold its general meeting at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Lewes Public Library and via Zoom. The program is on sharing stories about family history research and showing family treasures. There will be holiday food, and everyone is invited to attend. All members and guests must go to lewes.lib.de.us and register in events. For more information, go to scgsdelaware.org.

Live holiday cabaret set Dec. 14

Seaside Greetings, a live cabaret celebration of holiday music with a coastal twist, is set for 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Cinema Art Theater near Lewes. Vocalists Christine Asero, Donna Tucker-Jones, Doug Yetter and Paul Maisano will sing in the season with some old favorites along with new options for the Christmas playlist. The performance is presented by Lazy Mary Productions for the benefit of Rehoboth Beach Film Society. For more information, go to rehobothfilm.com.

Pro Exteriors food collection continues thru Dec. 31

Pro Exteriors is collecting items to support the Shepherd’s Office in Georgetown and the Milton Community Food Pantry.

This year, the local exterior home improvement company set a goal to collect 2.4 tons or 4,800 pounds of nonperishable food items by Tuesday, Dec. 31.

Requested items include canned fruits and vegetables, canned soups, pasta and rice, cereal, peanut butter and jelly, canned tuna and chicken; and boxed meals like macaroni and cheese. Donations may be dropped off at Pro Exteriors, 221 Milton-Ellendale Highway, Milton.

Pro Exteriors team members believe in giving back to the communities they serve. They hold to the idea that by working together, a significant impact can be made on those facing food insecurity, especially during the holiday season.

For more information, go to bit.ly/DEfooddrive.

Record closes on Seaside project

At its Dec. 4 meeting, Sussex County & Planning Commission members closed the public record on the proposed Seaside cluster subdivision.

The action comes after the record was left open for input from the Cape Henlopen School District, which was not previously received.

Seaside, with 359 housing lots on 241 acres, would be located on the east side of the Route 1-Cave Neck Road intersection between Lewes and Milton.

The commission now has 45 days to take a vote on the application.