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Tony's Bethany Beach Newsletter
 February 27, 2009
 

TOWN OF BETHANY BEACH

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED PROJECT TO CREATE

A PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF COLLINS AVENUE

BETWEEN HALFMOON DRIVE AND KENT AVENUE.

            Please take notice that the Town Council of the Town of Bethany Beach will hold a PUBLIC HEARING AT:

            DATE:            FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2009
            TIME:             7:30 P.M.
            PLACE:          TOWN MEETING ROOM
                                  214 GARFIELD PARKWAY
                                  BETHANY BEACH, DE

 TO:                CONSIDER AND RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON A PROPOSED PROJECT TO CREATE A PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF COLLINS AVENUE BETWEEN HALFMOON DRIVE AND KENT AVENUE.

            All interested persons are invited to attend and comment.  Copies of the proposal are available upon request at the
            Town Hall at the address noted above or on the Town’s website at www.townofbethanybeach.com.

Posted:           02/10/2009
Town of Bethany Beach Administration
The public hearing was held at the scheduled time and the majority of property owners of the properties that would be affected if this action were to take place were in attendance.  The meeting was opened for public comment and approximately 16 property owners, who signed up to speak, were heard by our town council.  When those who signed up to speak were finished, a number of individuals were recognized for further comment. 

Some of the points raised by the adjacent property owners:
     1.  Possibility of a walkway on each side of the street
     2.  How to handle rainwater runoff
     3.  No personal injuries have occurred on this street
     4.  Heavy use by bicyclists and pedestrians lasts 8 to 12 weeks per year
     5.  Trolley use has lowered number of pedestrians
     6.  Walkway will cause loss of parking for residents
     7.  Economically a bad time to spend money
     8.  Pedestrians and bicyclists should be directed to use Route 26, which has bicycle lane and sidewalks
     9.  Can speed be reduced to 15 m.p.h.
    10.  Can speed bumps be installed
    11.  Can Collins become a one-way street to eliminate two-way traffic during summer months
    12.  Large, old trees would be removed
    13.  Tourist mentality (ie walking in middle of street and failure to allow traffic to pass)
    14.  Requires relocation of mailboxes and trash containers
    15.  Use of Collins as "cut-through" for Route 26 traffic
    16.  Install signs advising pedestrians where to walk
    17.  Install additional stop signs along the street
    18.  Restrict Collins Street to residents only

Comments from the Bethany West Recreation Board and two residents of Bethany West:
     1.  Can additional street lights be installed
     2.  Walkway is supported

Comments from resident of oceanside:
     1.  Make real sidewalk with concrete - not asphalt
     2.  Increase number of pedestrian and bicyclist pathways throughout town

The Town Manager was asked to comment on some of the questions that were raised.  These questions concerned:
     1.  What is the actual "Right of way"
          Varies along the length of the street
     2.  If this project takes place will the affected property owners pay for the project (estimated $100,000)?
          No.  The Town would pay the cost from available funds.
     3.  Availability of the DelDOT / JMT survey
          Yes.  In Town Hall.  It is very lengthy and detailed and not suited for making copies of for the website.
     4.  Speed limit
          May not be reduced below 25 m.p.h. according to Town Solicitor 
     5.  Speed bumps
          Not recommended nor planned for our public streets
     6.  One-way street
          A street cannot be one-way for part of a year as it would be very confusing to drivers
     7.  Speeding concern
          Traffic studies, including use of radar, indicate that although vehicles appear to be speeding, in fact few do
The Town Council is expected to continue discussion of this issue during a future meeting. 
 

                        Click on any link on the left side of this page to find information on that subject.
 
                                       Fine Print:  This website is owned and operated by Tony McClenny, a private citizen and resident of the Town of Bethany Beach.  The Town
                                        operates its own website and there is no relationship between the two other than the fact that the Town has been given permission to copy   
                                        material it wishes from this website and to place same on the official Town website.  This disclaimer is for the benefit of anyone who may care. 
                                        If any Bethany Beach Homeowner Association or non-profit group would like complimentary space on this website, please e-mail your request to Webmaster.