There is always something happening around Coastal Delaware, from new development approvals and business updates to community discussions, local milestones, public safety programs, and upcoming events. 

Here are a few recent news updates worth knowing about across the area:

Sussex County Approves 4 New Residential Developments

The Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission gave final approvals to four residential developments during its June 17th meeting, adding up to 283 single-family home lots across the county. 

The largest approval was for Saltwind, formerly known as the Peck Farm subdivision, which includes 128 homes on 64.1 acres along Martins Farm Road near Harbeson. 

Commissioners also approved a revised amenities plan for River Oaks, an 85-lot cluster subdivision near Angola, with changes that move four lots to allow more space for community amenities.

Near Milton, the commission approved Windscape Farms, a 49-lot subdivision on Pettyjohn Road, and Tepache Farms, a 21-home subdivision on Burton Road. 

Tepache Farms is a smaller version of a previous cluster subdivision proposal for the site, which was rejected by Sussex County Council in 2019.

Image: Sussex County

New Escape Room Gets Green Light in Rehoboth Beach

A new escape room is moving forward after the Board of Adjustment granted a variance on May 26th for a location at 50 Wilmington Avenue, Rehoboth Beach.

The property is located in the city’s C-3 secondary commercial district, where some businesses are allowed by right, but entertainment venues are not. 

Because an escape room falls under that category, the applicants needed a variance to operate there.

The approval comes with several conditions. The business cannot serve food or alcohol, cannot have more than 30 patrons at one time, and can have no more than three escape rooms. 

Prebooking will be required unless spots are immediately available, operating hours cannot go beyond 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and the business must follow the city’s noise ordinance. 

The variance will also expire if the required permits are not secured within six months.

Three board members voted in favor, while two voted against. 

Lewes Public Library Marks 10 Years on Adams Avenue

Lewes Public Library marked 10 years in its current building at 111 Adams Ave. with a birthday celebration on June 16th. 

The event also recognized the 125th anniversary of the Delaware Division of Libraries.

The celebration included remarks in the Outdoor Pavilion, a cake cutting, treats and giveaways in the lobby, a party guestbook, freebies, and a special birthday deal in the Just Between Friends Shop.

The library moved into the Adams Avenue building in June 2016 after almost 30 years in its previous location across the railroad tracks. 

The move more than doubled the library’s space, expanding it from 14,000 square feet to 28,500 square feet.

The current building kept familiar features like the Delaware Room and Children’s Room while adding more community-focused spaces, including meeting rooms, study and tutor rooms, a Teen Room with its own Tech Suite, a Children’s and Teen program room, and a Computer Training Room. 

Today, the library is part of a larger cultural campus at the southern entrance to Lewes, near the Margaret H. Rollins Community Center, Lewes History Museum, Stango Park, the Children’s Learning Garden, and nearby trail connections.

Free Bicycle Safety Checkpoints in Lewes and Rehoboth 

DelDOT is partnering with Delaware State Police and Sussex Cyclists to offer free bicycle safety checkpoints in the Lewes and Rehoboth Beach area this summer.

The program runs from June through August and is designed to help cyclists travel more safely through busy resort communities. 

At each checkpoint, riders can get safety information, trail maps, bicycle lights, helmets, basic bicycle repairs, and bicycle inspections from DelDOT staff.

Several checkpoints are scheduled along popular bike routes and shared-use paths:

• July 8: 4 to 7 p.m., Church Street at Canal Crossing Road, Lewes 
• July 13: 3 to 6 p.m., Lewes Public Library at the Georgetown-to-Lewes Trail 
• July 16: 5:30 to 7 p.m., Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Rehoboth Beach 
• July 20: 4 to 7 p.m., Route 1 at the Nike Outlet, Rehoboth Beach 
• July 28: 5 to 7 p.m., Epworth United Methodist Church, Rehoboth Beach 
• July 30: 4 to 7 p.m., Route 1 at the Nike Outlet, Rehoboth Beach 
• Aug. 3: 4 to 7 p.m., Lewes Public Library at the Georgetown-to-Lewes Trail 
• Aug. 12: 4 to 7 p.m., Church Street at Canal Crossing Road, Lewes

Image: Delaware News

DNREC Opens New Environmental Laboratory in Smyrna

DNREC has opened a new Delaware Environmental Laboratory near Smyrna, giving the state a modern facility for water quality testing, chemical contaminant analysis, PFAS testing, molecular testing, and microbiology work.

The new lab replaces DNREC’s former facility in Dover, which had operated since 1983 inside a converted 19th-century cannery. 

The Smyrna location will house up to 24 scientific, technical, and support staff, and its location next to the Delaware Division of Public Health lab is expected to strengthen coordination during public health and environmental response situations.

The facility was supported by a combined $29.7 million from American Rescue Plan Act funding and state funds. 

DNREC officials said the new space will help expand testing capabilities for PFAS, emerging contaminants, environmental DNA, and other specialized analysis.

The lab supports DNREC’s own work, but it also serves other organizations that rely on environmental testing and scientific data, including the Center for the Inland Bays, the Delaware River Basin Commission, the U.S. Geological Survey, Delaware Geological Survey, and the University of Delaware.

Ocean View Residents Push Back on Proposed Dunkin’

Ocean View’s Planning & Zoning Commission heard public comments on June 18th about a concept plan for a three-unit commercial building that would include a Dunkin’ with a drive-through at 95-101 Atlantic Avenue. 

No vote was taken at the meeting because the proposal was still in the concept plan stage.

The property owner, Nistazos Holdings, is proposing to redevelop the site where Charlie K’s BBQ, Furniture & More, and a produce stand are currently located. 

Representatives for the project said the plan would consolidate the property into one building with paved parking, sidewalks, landscaping, fencing, stormwater management, and a reduced number of access points.

Residents who spoke at the meeting objected to the proposal, raising concerns about traffic, drive-through backups, exhaust, noise, wetlands, emergency vehicle access, and the impact of a national franchise on Ocean View’s small-town character and local businesses. 

A vote on preliminary plan approval is expected at a later Planning & Zoning meeting.

Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls Rolls Out New Food Truck

Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls celebrated the grand opening of its new food truck with a ribbon cutting on May 20th in partnership with the Bethany-Fenwick Area and Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce.

The Rehoboth Beach seafood spot, known for its Maine lobster rolls, is now taking its menu on the road with a food truck in a semi-permanent location on Coastal Highway. 

The launch also comes as Mason’s begins its 10th year at its brick-and-mortar location on Rehoboth Avenue.

The new Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls food truck is located at 19563 Coastal Highway in Rehoboth Beach, in front of the PetSmart shopping center, with free parking available.

Image: Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce

MERR Sunset Dolphin Watch Tours Planned for July & August

MERR is hosting sunset dolphin watch tours on July 16th at 7 p.m. and August 9th at 6:30 p.m. aboard Cape Water Tours’ The Second Nature, giving guests a chance to spend an evening on the Delaware Bay with the MERR stranding team while looking for dolphins and other wildlife.

The 90-minute tours depart from the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal docks, with boarding beginning 30 minutes before departure. 

Tickets are $65 and include hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, with beer and wine available at a cash bar.

Proceeds from the fundraiser support MERR’s year-round work as Delaware’s only response and rescue organization for stranded marine mammals and sea turtles. 

That work includes food, care, veterinary treatment, transportation, and supplies for animals in need.

Keep following the blog if you want to stay updated on the latest Coastal Delaware news, events, and local life!

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