6 - CAPE GAZETTE, Friday, May 2 - May 8, 2003
VIEWPOINT00
Editorial
Rehoboth annexation linked to CDP
The idea of expanding the borders of the City of Rehoboth Beach
hasn't been officially explored for approximately 20 years, when a
contingent of property owners on the south side of Silver Lake
unsuccessfully attempted to be annexed into the city.
The idea proved to be unpopular with the majorityof those already
living within the city boundaries. They were concerned that adding
the land lying between Rehoboth and Dewey would tax the infra-
structure and police force, adding only the traditionally low proper-
ty taxes to city coffers.
The city now has a new proposal before it that may prove to be
more enticing. Rebay, LLC is requesting that its 180-acre parcel,
located adjacent to the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal and Canal Corkran to
the east and Henlopen Keys and the Glade Road to the west, become
part of the city.
Known as the Futcher Farm, this as yet to be named development
would consist of a mix of 112 acres of single family homes, 16 acres
of townhomes, 20 acres of condominiums and 12 acres of commer-
cial u.se, with a proposed relief route. The route would run from
Rehoboth Avenue Extended at Church Street, through the commer-
cial area being developed and out to Glade Road.
Rehoboth Beach officials and property owners have voiced plenty
of angst lately over their inability to control the inevitable develop-
ment on the outskirts of the city. A primary concern is the increase
in traffic on Rehoboth Avenue Extended as these developments con-
tinue to spring up right and left.
Rebay, whose representatives will present its proposal to the Board
of Commissioners at the 7 p.m., Monday, May 5 meeting, would
build the relief route that could go a considerable way in decreasing
congestion in this area.
Rehoboth Beach would also have the privilege of dictating how
this major subdivision would be developed, giving the city the
opportunity to make decisions concerning landscaping,-density,
commercial uses and so on. It could become a model for future
development in the region.
Then there's the money. Rebay estimates that the city could add
an additional $13 million in property transfer fees, almost $2 million
in property taxes and an additional $2.5 million in building permits
and other fees. While adding such a large parcel of land to the one-
square-mile city will result in additional yearly expenditures, such
revenues could go quite a way in financing the continuation of the
streetseape improvement project as one example.
The city's draft Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP), which
will be the topic of a public workshop Thursday, May 15, calls for
the adoption of a "future annexation map," identifying the area
around Rehoboth Avenue Extended as one of three areas that should
seriously be considered. The State Planning Office has informed the
citythat it may not annex any land in most circumstances unless the
map is adopted.
If pursuing annexation of this land is deemed to be beneficial to
the city, then it is paramount the board quickly proceed with adop-
tion of the CDP.
Letters
The Weather Picture
Trish Vemon photo
The azaleas and dogwood are in full bloom thla week as we
enter the merry month of May in the Cape ]Region-
i
,
Comments on proposed
Route 1 sidewalk upgrade
This is in reference to an announce-
ment I received Saturday in the mail
regarding a May 12 public heating on
State Route 1 Sidewalk
Improvements/Contract#20-013-03.
Unfortunately, I will be out of town
for the hearing (traveling for Mothers
Day) but wanted to provide some
comments.
As a year-round homeowner locat-
ed somewhere between Rehoboth and
Dewey Beach, in an area known as
the "Forgotten Mile," I want to reiter-
ate concerns I outlined in a published
letter to the Coast Press three years
ago. I assume public safety is an
important feature and priority for this
project to be funded by the state. The
absence of sidewalk on Route 1 in
such a densely populated resort area
is a concern. The bayside residents of
Route 1 take their life in their hands
attempting to cross Route 1 to walk
the few blocks to the ocean. If I recall
from the discussions in past years,
there was only one additional traffic
light under consideration for the
Forgotten Mile. Currently, there is a
stop light at Spring Lake (the only
light until Dewey) with another
planned. All existing crosswalks go
basically ignored by motorists.
This particular mile is unique in
that this jurisdiction on both the
oceanside to Chesapeake/ Bayard
and most of the bayside belong to nei-
ther Rehoboth nor Dewey but Sussex
County. Oddly, the area north of the
Light House Mall (DollarGeneral) to
the south side of State Street, I under-
stand is under the jurisdiction of
Rehoboth and its police force.
Correspondingly, zoning follows suit.
If it sounds like a puzzle welcome to
the Forgotten Mile.
This is important because the
Delaware State Police are the sole law
enforcement entity responsible for
overall public safety of this area and
property owners of the remaining
puzzle piece. I assume they will
remain responsible for the activity on
its "new" sidewalk and streets for
things like; excessive speeding (off
season) and in-season drunk driving,
illegal parking, noise disturbances,
public alcohol consumption and van-
dalism as partiers drive and walk
north on Route 1 out of Dewey once
the bars close. While the State Police
Barracks,Troop #7 are exceptionally
responsive and helpful when called,
their location some 5 miles north, will
make it difficult to provide a regular
presence on the new sidewalk and
Route 1 in the Forgotten Mile, which
is key to effective public safety in
such a highly dense area. I'm sure
they have their hands full with the
explosive development and public
safety needs north of the Forgotten
Mile under existing budget shortfalls.
My point is while the sidewalk ini-
tiative from Dewey Beach to the
Canal is noble, the reality for the
Forgotten Mile homeowners is the
same as it was three years ago. Its true
beneficiaries will be the seasonal
drunks who will stagger safely home
after 1 a.m. Dewey Beach has proven
that stepped up police presence and
enforcement"work while Rehoboth
police continue to provide effective
public safety . Unfortunately, their
jurisdictions still end a few blocks
north and south of this lost communi-
ty. The time has come (again?) for
annexation discussions for the
Forgotten Mile - give the bayside of
Route 1 to Dewey and the oceanside
to Rehoboth or some variation. Let
the developments like Spring Lake
and Pine Bay opt out but everyone
else is in. This area has natural bound-
aries east and west by water.
With all due respect, moving into
the third year of discussions for an
expensive sidewalk project with all
the other public safety needs in this
one forgotten mile seems ludicrous
and counter-intuitive. Rather than
simply taking private land for public
sidewalks, why not use the sidewalk
initiative by the state as a spring-
board for state leadership on annexa-
tion of this mile of county/state land
which the Delaware State Police has
to expend resources to protect. If the
Continued on page 7
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