The Agenda

• The Bethany Beach Town Council will host public hearings on Friday, Jan. 20, at 6:30 p.m., at the town hall, on:

o An ordinance to amend Section 245-83 (“Dimensional Exceptions”) of Chapter 245 of the Town Code (“Zoning”) to authorize the placement of temporary structures in required yard setbacks in order to accommodate the requirements of physically-handicapped persons if approved as a special exception by the Board of Adjustment; and

o An ordinance to Chapter 245 (“Zoning”) of the Town Code to establish and define a “conditional use,” to define a “public utility” and to amend various sections of the zoning ordinance to allow wireless communications facilities to be permitted in all zoning districts if approved as a “special exception” or as a “conditional use”; and to allow public buildings, public service buildings; water towers and public utilities if approved as a “special exception” in the C-1 and C-2 commercial zoning districts.

• The Bethany Beach Town Council will meet at 7:30 p.m., on Friday, Jan. 20, in the town hall. The agenda for the meeting includes:

o An appointment to the Planning Commission;

o A second reading for the town’s proposed property maintenance ordinance;

o Consideration and vote on the above proposed ordinance to amend Section 245-83 (“Dimensional Exceptions”) of Chapter 245 of the Town Code (“Zoning”) (scheduled for a public hearing at 6:30 p.m., prior to the meeting);

o Consideration and vote on the above proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 245 (“Zoning”) of the Town Code regarding conditional uses, etc., (scheduled for a public hearing at 6:30 p.m., prior to the meeting);

o Consideration of a resolution for the appointment of Charles McMullen to the position of assistant alderman;

o First reading of an ordinance to amend the town code of the Town of Bethany Beach to transfer all fines and penalties to one chapter;

o First reading of an ordinance to amend the town code of the Town of Bethany Beach to set out the fines and penalties for violations of all town ordinances in one chapter;

o First reading of an ordinance to remove Chapter 238, Waters and Sewers, Article VII, [Transportation of Sewage] through the Town of Bethany Beach;

o First reading of an ordinance to amend Sections 200-6 and 200-22 of the town subdivision ordinance and to amend Section 245-2 of the town zoning code to clarify the “grandfathering” provisions regarding planned residential developments (“PRD’s”) containing less than 50,000 square feet;

o Consideration of a contract from Clean Delaware for sludge removal at the water plant; and

o Consideration of a “Yes to Beaches” resolution that could include standard language for such resolutions, ending with the statement that the town “urges Congress to reject all efforts to withdraw from or limit the Federal government’s role in our Nation’s beach nourishment projects and to recognize that continued Federal support is critical to the sustained environmental and economic health of our coastal resources and communities.”

• The Bethany Beach Planning Commission will meet at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21, in the town hall.

• The Bethany Beach Cultural and Historical Affairs Committee will meet on Monday, Jan. 23, at 1 p.m. at the town hall. The agenda for the meeting includes preparation for the Jan. 25 jazz concert, a museum update, discussion of walking-trail markers and work on the committee’s oral-history project.

• The Jazz Pioneers will perform New Orleans-style jazz at Bethany Beach Town Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by the town’s Cultural and Historical Affairs Committee, and light refreshments will be served. All are welcome.

• The Bethany Beach Budget and Finance Committee will meet Friday, Jan. 27, at 2 p.m. in the town hall. The meeting is the first of the committee’s series of pre-budget meetings in preparation for drafting of the next fiscal year’s budget. The agenda includes:

o Discussion of ongoing work on the town’s schedules of fees and fines;

o Initial budget review and mark-up for the 2007 fiscal year; and

o Establishment of a subcommittee to review the schedules of fees and fines.

Fenwick Island

• The Fenwick Island Board of Adjustments will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 10 a.m., at the town hall. The agenda includes consideration of applications for:

o Seaside Inn on Coastal Highway —requesting a variance on height restriction for elevator installation; and

o David Mackes for 41 Bayside Drive — requesting a variance on front and rear setbacks.

• The Fenwick Island Town Council will meet on Friday, Jan. 27, at 3:30 p.m. at the town hall.

Dagsboro

• Dagsboro Town Council will meet on Monday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m., at the Bethel Center (107 Clayton Street). Council will hold public hearing for an ordinance to add definitions and regulations for restaurants, eateries and bars, and consider the Whistle Stop Deli & Café’s eligibility to apply for a liquor license. Council is slated to: 1) consider a report from the town’s Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission, and 2) consider taking action on items detailed in that report, which include:

o Baywind Farms’ request for re-zoning, Eric Ankrom’s request for subdivision and matters related to the Savannah Square project,

o signage code, apartment building definitions and road-width standards

o and P&Z’s recommendation that council consider adopting a moratorium.

• Consideration of adopting a moratorium appears elsewhere on the agenda, separate the P&Z’s report, among items for consideration including: 1) the status of building inspection services, and 2) building permits, 3) a resolution to increase annual license fees for businesses and services, 4) the possible purchase of a storage building, 5) the conditional use ordinance for sales/construction trailers, 6) an annual automatic increase for certain impact fees and 7) confirmation of water rates and charges.

Sussex County

Sussex County Council will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 10 a.m., in Council Chambers at the County Administrative Office Building, Georgetown. On the agenda: council appointments, presentation of a certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting, Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Director Lawrence Lank’s presentation of a wellhead protection and groundwater resources contract, a local zoning matter — J & Y Parker Family L.P.’s request for a change of zone on 3.5 acres in the Houston Acres subdivision (Dagsboro Road, north of town), from Agricultural-Residential (AR-1), to Commercial (C-1) – and a presentation by the state Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z)

The Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission will meet on Thursday, Jan. 26, at 6 p.m. in the County Council Chambers in Georgetown. The agenda for the meeting includes:

• The subdivision application of Cindy L. and Harry L. Blades Jr. for 5 acres in an AR-1 Agricultural Residential District, located east of Road 346 and north of Road 347, into three lots; and

• Further discussion of the county’s AR-1 Agricultural Residential cluster subdivision ordinance

Indian River School District (IRSD)

The IRSD School Board will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 7:30 p.m., at the new Indian River High School (29772 Armory Road). Prior to the regular meeting, in executive session, board members are slated to interview candidates for the chair Greg Hastings recently vacated when he moved up to the state Board of Education. Board President Charles Bireley said it was between Rex Timmons, Randy Hughes and Berta Smith at this point — if they manage to settle on a frontrunner, someone may be taking the oath of office near the top of the regular meeting. On the regular agenda:

• Indian River High School’s All-Staters – athletes, vocalists and musicians — are up for recognition, as are three of the head coaches. Football coach Jim Bunting brought home the Southern Division Championship last season, and two coaches notched Henlopen Conference championships — boys’ soccer coach Howard Gerken and girls’ volleyball coach Jess Dodd. Indian River High’s Dan Hoffman is also slated for recognition, for his work in securing a grant from MBNA.

• The board is scheduled to discuss a major capital improvement and current expense referendum, and review major capital progress reports, and the board will discuss major capital progress reports, as well as 2007 fiscal-year budget priorities.