Note:
This was a long and complex set of discussions which are difficult to
summarize fairly. Below are merely highlights of the matters
discussed. Please consult the minutes of the meeting to be
posted
as soon as they are available, as well as various press reports, for
more information and details.
The Town Council meeting on July 13, 2007 was long and at times
contentious, starting at 6:00 pm and not ending until about 1:00 am the
next morning. It was held at the Bay Center to accommodate an
audience of several hundred people. The Council was very
liberal
in letting audience members have their say, and many did so, especially
on the Ruddertowne development matter.
Regarding Ruddertowne, which
was the primary agenda item, here are the highlights:
*The first agenda item was the presentation by Mr. Eisenhauer of the
final report of the Ruddertowne Architectural Design Committee.
When he stated his intention to make this report solely in the form of
a powerpoint presentation by representatives of Harvey Hanna and
Associates, the proposed developer of the new project, Mayor Tush
objected on the grounds that such a powerpoint presentation was not on
the agenda and that making it would be a FOIA violation and unfair to
other interests who might have liked to make similar powerpoint
presentations. After much discussion, the town counsel indicated
that this was not entirely clear as a matter of law, but that a
cautious approach would be not to allow the powerpoint by the
developers. Others in the audience, and several on the Committee,
also objected on the grounds that the Committee’s report should be an
oral or written summary of the Committee’s deliberations by the
Committee itself, not by the potential developer. In the end, Mr.
Eisenhauer gave such a report, summarizing the Committee’s
recommendation to send the matter to the Council for referral to
Planning and Zoning, and he also summarized the arguments that had been
made in favor and against the proposed development. The proposed
powerpoint presentation may be placed on the agenda for the August Town
Council meeting if so requested.
*The
Council decided to accept the recommendation of the Committee that the
Town would send a letter to all citizens in Dewey Beach summarizing the
project. The Committee has developed a proposed draft of the
letter, and there was a long discussion involving the Council, members
of the audience, and members of the Committee over various changes in
the wording of the letter to make it accurate and as complete as
possible. It was noted that various websites and other
resources
would be referenced in the letter to supplement the information
contained in it.
*A
motion to conduct a public referendum, on the question of whether
exceptions to the current height limit should be granted, failed to
pass, with Mayor Tush and Commissioner Fitzgerald voting in favor,
Commissioners Eisenhauer and Walsh voting against, and Commissioner
Cooke abstaining. Thus, there will be no referendum on this
matter. Proponents of the referendum argued that a matter of
such
importance and with such a potentially large effect on the future of
the town should be made only after determining the will of the
people. They also said that over 800 citizens had signed a
petition requesting such a referendum. Opponents argued that
it
was atypical to conduct a referendum on zoning matters, which should
remain non-political, and that it was the job of the elected officials
to determine and represent the will of the people.
*Near
the end of the long meeting, in a three to two vote, it was determined
that the proposed development would be sent to the Planning and Zoning
Commission for their review and recommendations, including such issues
as the allowable height of the structures. The Commission has
60
days to complete this review and make such recommendations, after which
the matter will be returned to the Town Council for a final
determination.
*With
respect to the Civic League role in the meeting, the July 9 Press
Release of the Civic League Board of Directors was summarized in
comments from the floor by League President David Main. [To see this
release click here]
He expressed two primary concerns: 1) the lack of any
assurance
that a major hotel brand was involved in the project, thus potentially
endangering its commercial viability; and 2) the 68 foot height of the
project, which could be expected, over time, to lead to pressures for
other, similar structures given the pressures for economic development
in the area. He also expressed the hope for productive
dialogue
between the proponents and opponents of the project such that other
options might be developed and explored, and a compromise reached, in
order to spare the community long-lasting divisions and
bitterness. (In this vein, it was nice to see many
participants
in the previous night’s meeting, and several Commissioners, gather for
the Civic League Happy Hour on Saturday night, where a better mood and
more relaxed dialogue seemed to prevail.)
In other matters during the meeting:
*Steve Montgomery, owner of the Starboard, made a $5,000 contribution
to the town from the proceeds of the “Running of the Bull”
event
toward the purchase of a new police car.
*Additional
funds were allocated for the completion of improvements to the Bay end
of Read Street, where flooding is common. The project would
be
environmentally sensitive and beneficial from the standpoint of habitat
creation and preservation of open space.
*A
conditional use was granted to allow the opening of a Deer Head Hot Dog
location on Highway 1. The only controversial issue about the
proposal was the owner’s request to be able to remain open until 3:00
am. Proponents argued that similar other establishments, such
as
Mama Celeste Pizza, remain open that late. Opponents argued
that
it should be required to close earlier in order to cut down on late
night noise and street crowding. In the end, the Council
approved
the request, subject to further monitoring of the late-night effects of
the proposed hours.
|