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Bulletins
Here is the list of
candidates for our September election:
Joseph Bellistri
Jerry Dorfman
Jack
Gordon
Lew
Killmer
Tony
McClenny
Margaret Young
Steve Wode
Each candidate will be offered free space for campaign comments at:
www.bethany-beach.net
Those who have previously run for office already have data online.
Every property owner (up to
a maximum of eight) shown on your Bethany Beach property deed is automatically
registered to vote.
Two years ago, your Town Council fought to retain this right for you.
In the mail, being sent to you from the Town, you will find an absentee
ballot affidavit.
It is an unusual privilege to be able to vote where you don’t
live. Use your voting right!
The Town applied for
certification in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community
Rating System (CRS). The preliminary result shows we have
improved from Class 10 to Class 8. It is anticipated that as of May,
2009 our property owners will experience a 10% reduction in flood insurance
rates.
The Town will enhance the beach dune crossovers on Ashwood, Maplewood, and Oakwood Streets as soon as
the Army Corps of Engineers completes beach replenishment. These
crossovers should then be a slope without the dip, which currently exists.
If you do not wish to
receive future e-mail of this nature, respond to this message with a
“please remove” and I will remove your address from future
mailings.
This newsletter was sent to
you by:
Tony McClenny
118 Ashwood Street
Bethany Beach, DE
19930-9699
(302) 539-5638
tony@mcclenny.org
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Our
Town Council held two Public Hearings on July 18, 2008. During a Public Hearing, our Town Council
listens to citizen’s comments.
Our Town Council will discuss and vote on the ordinance at a
subsequent Town Council meeting, generally the following month.
TOWN
OF BETHANY
BEACH
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2008 @ 6:45 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING
Receive
public comment upon a proposed amendment to the Town's Subdivision Code
(deleting Section 200-40 and replacing with a new Section 200-40) to amend
the "General Standards" provision of the "Design
Standards" article of the subdivision ordinance pertaining to all
subdivisions and planned residential developments. The new section
addresses in detail design requirements, and encouraged design elements, for
(1) general design elements, (2) open space, (3) landscaping, (4) streets,
(5) on and off street parking, and (6) lighting and signage.
TOWN
OF BETHANY
BEACH
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2008 @ 7:00 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING
Receive public comment upon
a proposed amendment to the Town's Zoning Code (Appendix to Chapter 245) to
amend "The Bethany Beach Commercial District Guidelines" by
renaming them "The Bethany Beach Non-Residential Design Guidelines"
and making changes regarding: (1) the applicability of the guidelines,
(2) documentation required at DRC Review Meetings, (3) the appointment of DRC
members, (4) signage on awnings, (5) use of street level space in commercial
districts, (6) lighting, and (6) fencing and screening.
TOWN OF BETHANY BEACH
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2008
TOWN COUNCIL
MEETING TOWN
MEETING ROOM
REGULAR MONTHLY
MEETING
7:30 P.M.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Consider Sending a
Letter in Support of an Initiative Seeking Matching Grant
Funds through DNREC's "Delaware Land and Water Conservation Trust
Fund " for Engineering Concepts Regarding a Walkway Along the Assawoman
Canal. This Grant Application will be in Conjunction with Ocean View, South Bethany, and Sea Colony, each contributing
$5000 for this purpose. Public Review and Input to be Considered
in Developing Preliminary Concepts.
(Olmstead) Passed
B. Consider a
Motion Directing the Town Manager to Have Engineering Documents Created for
the Purpose of Obtaining Bids to Construct an 8 ft. Extension on the
East-side of the Bethany Beach Boardwalk. Further to Direct the Town
Manager to Meet with the Budget Committee to Develop a Funding Plan for this
Project for Council Consideration As Soon As
Possible. (McClenny) Passed
Editorial
Comment – The receipt of this permit allowing us to expand our
boardwalk is wonderful! This will
provide additional width, which is really needed.
C. (First Reading - During a first reading the synopsis is read and public comment
can be received. Town Council may or may not discuss subsequent to a
first reading. Typically the ordinance will be read a second time
followed by discussion and a vote)
An Ordinance to Enact a New Chapter 73 “Boats, Personal Watercraft, and
Boat Trailers” to the Town Code of Bethany Beach to Implement Storage,
Parking, and Locations of Boats, Personal Watercraft, and Boat Trailers in
the Town; and to Require Permits for Storage, Parking and Location of Allowed
Boats, Personal Watercraft, and Boat Trailers in the Town; and Providing
Specifications for Penalties for Non-Compliance. (McClenny)
Synopsis
This ordinance prohibits parking, storing or locating any boat larger than
8.5 feet by 30 feet that is also taller than 15 feet when measured from the
ground for more than thirty (30) days in any calendar year on any property
within the Town. This ordinance also prohibits parking, storing or
locating any boat, personal watercraft, or boat trailer on any property
within the Town for more than thirty days without a permit when the item is
greater than 4 feet by 18 feet. The ordinance outlines the requirements
for issuance of a permit and the application procedure. Also included
is a penalty provision for violation of the ordinance.
A vote will occur during a future Town Council
Meeting
D. (First reading - During a first reading the synopsis is read and public comment
can be received. Town Council may or may not discuss subsequent to a
first reading. Typically the ordinance will be read a second time
followed by discussion and a vote)
An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 25-11 (Town Manager Designated Chief
Administrative Officer) and Chapter 25-12 (Powers and Duties of Town
Manager) (Mulligan)
Synopsis
The change to 25-11 updates possibly ambiguous wording and confirms the
intent that the Town Manager is responsible to the Town Council and that the
Mayor shall normally be the primary contact or liaison for the Council. The
changes to 25-12 increase the limits on a contract requiring council approval
from $10,000 to $25,000 as the prior limit was becoming outdated. The changes
clarify that expenses above $10,000 must be approved by, typically, the Mayor
or Treasurer, and clean up existing or redundant language in three other
paragraphs.
A vote will occur during a future Town Council
Meeting
E. Council Discussion
of Updates to Protocol Manual (Mulligan)
Synopsis
The Protocol Manual is a document approved by council for its use in such
areas as the rules and procedures for conducting meetings and for how council
members work together. Updates include those to reflect possible changes in
ordinances 25-11 and 25-12, (pg 4-8): to update section on limiting debate
(pg 19); and to consider section on public comment (pg 25). The
Protocol Manual is available on the Town’s website – www.townofbethanybeach.com.
The first update provides that "The sponsoring Council member will give
a short summary of the topic. The Mayor will ask for public input on
that topic. Once the public input is done on that new business item,
the council requests no interruptions during the dialog and discussion among
council members prior to the council voting on the item." Passed
The second update provides that "The duration of any debate,
or of any speaker's comments, may only be terminated by two thirds vote of
those council members present. Passed
F. Set Dates for September Town Council Meeting and Orientation
Briefing for Council
(Mulligan)
Synopsis
Council has identified that the Town Manager should coordinate a
orientation briefing for incoming council to cover such areas as a calendar
all items that require Council and/or manager action through a given year; an
overview of pending issues, programs or projects; and perhaps basic
information on the functions and organization of the town staff. Agenda
item is to allow discussion of when to schedule this briefing related to the
September 17 reorganization meeting and the September Friday evening Council
meeting, including whether to reschedule he September 19 meeting.
The Town Council voted to hold the reorganization
meeting on September 17th at 10:00 a.m. to be followed by a Town Council
Workshop. The September Town Council Meeting will be held on September 19th
at 7:30 p.m.
G. Consider Appointment
of Ad Hoc Committee to Determine Barriers in Zoning Code to rehabilitate or
Repair Older Homes. (Parsons)
Synopsis
Older homes are being demolished and replaced with larger, more modern ones,
and some developers and property owners have cited the Bethany Beach Zoning
code for prohibiting rehabilitation or modernization. The older
residential dwellings, both single and multi-unit, constitute part of the
architectural character of the town. The Town Council will consider
establishing an ad hoc committee to identify in the Bethany Beach zoning Code
any barriers to rehabilitating or modernizing residential buildings built
prior to 1978.
The Town Council "...resolved that the Town Council hereby
establishes an Ad Hoc Committee to identify any barriers to rehabilitating or
modernizing residential buildings built prior to 1978."
H. Consider
Permitting Flagpoles that are Attached to Buildings to Exceed the Maximum
Height Limit by Ten (10) Feet. (Parsons)
Synopsis
Flagpoles mounted on structures in any residential zone become part of the
structure; however they may protrude above the maximum height permitted by 10
feet.
The Town Council agreed to pursue this item.
I. Consider
Resolution to Have the Planning Commission Recommend Amendments to the Zoning
Code to Accommodate Alternate Energy Initiatives and to Make Such Amendments
a Priority Item (Parsons)
Synopsis
The Town council requests that Planning Commission make a plan to permit selected
forms of alternate energy to be installed on business and residential
properties in Bethany Beach.
The council recognizes that most buildings built in
the last several years are built at a height that would prevent the optimum
installation of wind generators, since they may require eight feet or more of
height above the current roof line for optimum installation and operation.
Because there is grant money available to
property owners who install alternate energy generation devices during this
year, thus yielding a significant savings to Bethany’s property owners, the town
council directs that work on this project take priority.
The Town Council passed a resolution “that the Town Council
hereby requests the Planning Commission make a plan to permit selected forms
of alternate energy, including wind generation and solar generation, to be
installed on business and residential properties in Bethany Beach, and
directs that work on this project take priority.”
J. Consider Addendum to
the Sponsor’s Agreement regarding Ambulance Service to be Provided by
the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire
Company (Olmstead) Passed
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