Sussex County Council Uphold’s P&Z Denial of Stillwater Harbor Subdivision
The Sussex County Council Tuesday morning discussed and took action on an appeal on the County Planning Commission’s denial of the Stillwater Harbor subdivision. After hearing testimony from both the developer and the Planning Commission two weeks ago Council President Mike Vincent read a synopsis of the 8-page motion of the Council’s finding. The Council was unanimous in it’s vote to uphold the Planning Commission’s decision to deny the subdivision, saying their reasons were thorough and well thought out.
County Administrator Todd Lawson discussed Development Design priorities with the Council. This comes from a joint workshop with the Planning Commission in September. Both the Council and Planning Commission were asked to rank their priorities and found Open Space and Perimeter Buffers came in tied for first place, but with Perimeter Buffers likely taking priority . Lawson is hoping to have ordinances being discussed early next year. Those ordinances will have to go through both the Planning Commission and the County Council.
In Old Business the Council revisited Change of Zone No. 1973 – the Osprey Point Preserve, LLC. The ordinance would be amended to include a marina and restaurant amenity area for the community off Old Landing Road west of Rehoboth Beach. Councilman Mark Schaeffer offered an amended motion for 25 boat slips for non-motorized watercraft in the marina which was defeated by a vote of 3-2. The Council voted for a partial approval that would not allow the restaurant, but would allow the 25 slip marina – for use for residents of Osprey Point only. Councilman Schaeffer voted no while the rest of the Council voted to approve the motion.
The County Council also met the County’s Fourth Quarter Shining Star Award winner. Human Resources Director Karen Brewington introduced the Council to Lindsay Bahney, a Clerk III in the Register of Wills Department. She will receive a certificate, Shining Star pin and she will be eligible for the Employee of the Year, which will be announced at the Mildred King luncheon in December.
After today’s Council meeting, the Council members and other County officials went to Delaware Tech in Georgetown to break bread for the new “kitchen incubator.” The kitchen incubator has been in the works for some time – it’s aimed at small commercial operators in need of space to craft their cuisines. While there was a soft launch of the kitchen incubator in the spring – it is now fully operational. It’s a first-of-its-kind working space for caterers, food truck operators and other smaller businesses without a commercial-grade kitchen.
The County Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, November 14 in the County Administration building on The Circle in Georgetown.
