Nick Carter April 8, 2021
Tom Panetta is a standing member of the Lewes Board of Public Works, the Lewes Planning Commission, and the sea level rise subcommittee. Other planning commissioners also serve on the sea level rise subcommittee and have drafted two city code ordinances which will alter building requirements for property owners in the water recharge area. Once drafted, the foreboding, restrictive building ordinance recommendations were then presented back to themselves as planning commissioners for approval. Is this not a conflict of interest?
The Sea Level Rise Ordinance proposes elevating the first floor of new structures above the floodplain by 18 inches, plus an additional sea level rise index, but does not allow equivalent height elevation.
Tom Panetta April 8, 2021
I am Tom Panetta and am running to be re-elected to the Lewes Board of Public Works. The last three years have been very rewarding to me personally and I believe my expertise has helped to improve the operation of the BPW.
I spent 30-plus years in the nuclear and electrical transmission/distribution industry. In addition, I have been a member of the City of Lewes Planning Commission for over six years. My time working for both the city and the BPW has given me an in-depth knowledge of how both entities operate.
In my first three years on the Lewes BPW Board of Directors, some of my personal major accomplishments include:
Friday, February 12, 2021
The Lewes Planning Commission is recommending the maximum lot coverage for properties within the defined excellent recharge area be capped at 50 percent.
The proposed ordinance would apply to all properties – regardless of their zoning – within the overlay area, which comprises much of Lewes Beach and most of Gills Neck Road.
The existing ordinance, which was adopted in 2008, allows a maximum of 20 percent lot coverage on all properties within the excellent recharge area, as defined by the state. Applicants can increase lot coverage to 50 percent with an environmental impact assessment report that shows post-development water recharge will be no less than pre-development recharge.
March 16, 2021
Rehoboth Environment Committee to meet
The Rehoboth Beach Environment Committee has scheduled an online meeting for 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 17. The agenda calls for discussions on eliminating single-use plastics, the Dark Skies initiative and a sustainable action plan.
Those wishing to speak must preregister with City Secretary Ann Womack at least 24 hours before the meeting by emailing awomack@cityofrehoboth.com. A full agenda and meeting materials are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. For more information, call 302-227-6181.
Rehoboth commissioner meeting March 19
Rehoboth Beach commissioners have scheduled an online special meeting for 3 p.m., Friday, March 19.
The agenda calls for public hearings on changes to city code related to gross floor area and wireless communication. The agenda also calls for the approval of next year’s budget, and possible votes to allow the Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market to increase its number of vendors, and t
March 9, 2021
Dewey commissioners meet March 12
Dewey Beach commissioners will meet virtually at 2 p.m., Friday, March 12. Members will possibly vote to approve an ordinance to adopt the definition of “persons,” to change police staffing levels and to approve the 2022 fiscal year budget. Commissioners may also vote to approve members on the board of adjustment, planning and zoning commission, and marketing committee. The full agenda and link to the meeting are available at townofdeweybeach.com.
14th RD Dems to meet March 24
The 14th RD Democratic Committee has changed its March meeting date from March 10 to Wednesday, March 24; the Zoom meeting will run from 5 to 6 p.m. Area Democrats who plan to attend should email Committee Secretary Cheryl Fruchtman, c.fruchtman@comcast.net.