Friday, January 8, 2021
Candidates for Lewes City Council and the Board of Public Works made their case to voters April 15-16 in forums hosted by the Greater Lewes Civic Coalition.
Both elections will be held Saturday, May 8.
Incumbent Rob Morgan and challengers Carolyn Jones and Khalil Saliba are seeking two three-year seats on city council. Deputy Mayor Bonnie Osler is not seeking re-election.
The candidates agreed on many topics, including that a tax increase would be a last-resort option. Regarding Morgan’s recent comments criticizing the police department’s budget, the candidates differed.
Morgan touted his record of working with the police on a daily basis while serving in the U.S Attorney’s Office. He said he is not anti-police.
April 20, 2021
Lewes planners to meet April 21
The Lewes Planning Commission will meet virtually at 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 21. Commissioners will consider a recommendation on the final subdivision plan for Lewes Waterfront Preserve. The developer is seeking approval to build 89 townhouses on 34.64 acres on New Road adjacent to Canary Creek. The group will also consider a request to subdivide property along Schley Avenue into four lots. Three of the four lots conform to city code requirements, while the fourth is undersized. The board of adjustment approved a variance for the smaller lot earlier this year. Commissioners will consider a rezoning request for the former Lewes Dairy property at 660 Pilottown Road from industrial to R-2, low-density residential. A link to the meeting can be found on the agenda at lewes.civicweb.net.
Applicant may apply to subdivide Schley Avenue property into four lots
The Lewes Board of Adjustment granted a variance for the former industrial property in the shadow of the Lewes water tower on Schley Avenue. NICK ROTH PHOTOS
Nick Roth
The building was once used as a hosiery factory and most recently for storage.
A property owner in Lewes may apply for a four-lot minor subdivision on Schley Avenue following a decision from the city’s board of adjustment March 2.
The property at 119-125 Schley Ave., owned by Christine King, contains enough space for three conforming lots and one undersized lot. The undersized lot is 45.73 feet wide and 4,552 square feet, which does not meet the R-4 zone’s minimum requirements of 50-foot width and 5,000 square feet.
Lewes gets to work on 2021-22 budget
Lewes Mayor and City Council has begun to work on the 2021-22 budget. NICK ROTH PHOTO
Nick Roth February 12, 2021
After a year unlike any other, Lewes Mayor and City Council has started to work on the budget for the next fiscal year, which begins April 1.
The $6.5 million balanced budget estimates a revenue decline of 3 percent in part because of an expected lower take from parking meters due to the ongoing pandemic.
Despite the revenue drop, City Manager Ann Marie Townshend has asked city council for several staffing changes. The city has already approved promoting the parking enforcement supervisor from part time to full time. She is also requesting the city hire two additional parking enforcement officers to help with increased enforcement along the residential streets of Lewes Beach. Police Chief Tom Spell requested a staff increase of one officer, and the maintenance department is seeking additional staff.
The Lewes Downtown Business District Parking Committee has determined there is plenty of parking for residents and visitors, but directing people to free parking areas within walking distance of Second Street remains a challenge.
Improved signage is among the recommendations the committee made to mayor and city council in its final report. Other suggestions include moving forward with a partnership with M&T Bank to allow in-season metered public parking in its lot at the corner of West Third Street and Market Street, improving existing free parking lots on Schley Avenue and at Otis Smith Park, and clearly marking parking spaces on streets near the Lewes Historical Society.