SUMMARY OF DEWEY BEACH TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE LIFESAVING STATION ON SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2007, AT 9:00 A.M.

Proceedings:

1. Annual Real Estate Brokerage Fees for 2007 were revised to $350 for sales and rental companies and $100 for individual sales and rental agents.  There was widespread agreement that this revision was desirable and overdue.  The only question raised was whether real estate fees should be changed now, apart from similar revisions to other business licensing fees.  The committee looking into this is close to recommendations on the rest of the fee structure.  In the end, a majority of the commissioners felt that the revisions to real estate fees should go forward now.

2. Ruddertowne Architectural Review Committee Report and Discussion: Commissioner Eisenhauer reported on the activities of the committee (which include Civic League members Paul Bauer, Bronie Zolper and Diane Hanson).  Several meetings with Highway One have been held, and a number of options have been identified.  It has been determined that a variance from the town on parking places is not necessary.  There was a wide ranging discussion involving the commissioners and the audience, as well as Highway One representative Jim Baeule.  Among the issues discussed were:

        -What are Highway One's real interests and goals?  Mr. Bauerle said that the Highway One partners were concerned about the predictability of zoning and other regulations in Dewey Beach and felt their economic interests favored a tear down of Ruddertowne and its development into residential uses.  However, they were willing to give the town time to consider alternatives, including acquiring parts of the property and working with developers to use it for a town center of mixed use.

        -Does the Town have the financial resources to purchase parts of the property?  How much would it cost, and could it possibly be done within the one year window offered by Highway One? 
        -If the Town does rebuild the area, how can we be sure people will patronize the area?
        -If redevelopment is commercially viable, why hasn't Highway One decided to do it?  What other developers would be interested?
        -Is the governmental process adequate and nimble enough to face this large challenge?
        -What would be the effect of a new development such as this on the smaller businesses in town?
        -What is the ultimate vision and best interest of the Town in the use of this property?

In the end, the committee was charged with exploring all options and gathering facts about them, including financing options which may include the possibility of the state purchasing the land and leasing it to the town.  The next meeting of the committee is on March 16 at 6:00 pm.  A developer will attend to educate the committee on process issues.

3.  May 12 Town Beautification Day and Social Event.  Diane Hanson of the Dewey Beach Civic League announced that the League will host a Town Beautification event at 9:00 am on Saturday, May 12, to include town cleanup and the planting of plants and trees in various locations.  There is great enthusiasm surrounding the event, and all citizens are invited to volunteer to help.  Later that same day, at 4:00 pm, there will be a social gathering at the Starboard, at which residents and business owners will have a chance to mingle and get to know each other better.  This is an attempt, spear-headed by DBCL member and former Chamber of Commerce president Rob Marshall, to improve communication between the town's residents and business owners.

4. Parking and Selling of Permits  were discussed. The purchase of a second machine to sell permits at a cost of $17,000 was approved, and various other options for selling permits and making the town more visitor friendly were discussed.  Steve Montgomery, owner of the Starboard, said that he and other businesses would be willing to sell permits at their establishments, and this option is to be pursued.

5. Numerous Committee Meetings were announced, including planning and zoning, budget and finance, and revenue and licensing, all of which will discuss issues of importance to the town.  See announcement of these meetings on this website home page for details.  Citizens were urged to attend and provide their views.

6. Parking Next to the Lifesaving Station was discussed, with several neighboring residents expressing concern about a proposal to put in a parking lot and public toilets next to the station. They argued that the area was set aside pursuant to historic preservation grants and that this new use was a breach of faith with the original plan.  Mayor Tush explained that the proposal was merely to harden the surface of the adjoining lot with sand and shells, and gate the area so that it could only be used for town meetings and special functions.  The installation of toilets was not necessarily a part of the plan.  It was argued by others that parking at town meetings is very difficult, especially in the summertime, and that something needed to be worked out to facilitate the public's ability to attend town functions. The matter will be further discussed and efforts to resolve it will  be undertaken.