Council approves the Briarstone sewer annexation and defers a solar permit and a rezoning

Sussex County Council met Tuesday, Oct. 27, in Council Chambers, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. On the morning agenda were an update and discussion on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, the county's long-range growth blueprint. Also listed was an update on implementing Senate Bill 23 and House Bill 450, two state laws. Also on the agenda was the possible introduction of an ordinance authorizing up to $4,892,000 in general obligation bonds, debt backed by the county's taxing power, for the Joy Beach Phase 2 septic elimination project, which replaces septic systems with sewer.

A fourth amendment to the Davis, Bowen & Friedel engineering contract, covering construction administration and inspection of the Slaughter Beach sewer extension, was on the list too. So were change orders on the Wolfe Neck and Inland Bays treatment projects and the closeout of the Sugar Maple Farms road project. The Town of Georgetown is asking for a grant toward the Mayor's Reception on Return Day. After the 1:30 p.m. hearings, Council approved the Briarstone annexation into the sewer district, WGMD reported. WGMD also reported that Council deferred its vote on Conditional Use 2616 because the Planning and Zoning Commission has not made a recommendation yet. It also deferred Change of Zone 2061 and left the record open for written comments until Nov. 13. Councilman Matt Lloyd was absent. We could not confirm what Council did on the Joy Beach bond ordinance or the Slaughter Beach contract amendment. The county has posted audio of the meeting but not minutes, and the Ledger will report those votes when the minutes are posted. Council does not meet Tuesday, Nov. 3, Election Day. Its next meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 10 a.m. The county Board of Adjustment's Nov. 2 meeting is canceled.

The 1:30 p.m. public hearings covered three items. The first is the Briarstone development's request to join the Unified Sanitary Sewer District, Western Sussex, in the Greenwood area. The second is Conditional Use 2616, a special permit for a use the zoning does not allow by right. It would put solar arrays on 31.3 acres zoned AR-1, agricultural-residential, at North Old State Road and Haflinger Road, Lincoln (TPE DE SU519 LLC; parcel 230-12.00-22.00). The third is Change of Zone 2061, which would amend the conditions attached to an earlier rezoning, C/Z 673, regarding recreational amenities on 4.29 acres at Plantation Boulevard, Lewes (Sandie LLC; parcel 334-6.00-553.02).