James Azato

The meeting documentation included updates on city services and ongoing projects. City staff were commended for their work during a recent snowstorm. Information regarding the 2026 Municipal Election, including candidate filing deadlines and voter registration deadlines, was provided. Updates covered the Shoreline Public Access Plan, with city staff participating in a webinar and a preliminary review meeting with DNREC concerning Lewes Beach access. The City of Lewes achieved an improved score of 7 in the Federal Emergency Management Agency Community Rating System. There are ongoing projects including the Floating Dock Replacement, updates to the Phragmites Management Plan, and various capital improvement projects overseen by the Board of Public Works, such as the Alaska Avenue Sewer Relining Project and the Elevated Water Storage Tank Project. Police Department statistics for January 2026 were reviewed, alongside Fire Department activity reports for the same period. An ordinance review showed updates on Accessory Dwelling Units, Off-Street Parking, and Home Based Businesses.

The discussion focused heavily on the relevance of a recent decision regarding the Atlantic Fields project to the proposed Cold Spring development, particularly concerning traffic impact. The traffic for Cold Spring was described as a 'nightmare' or 'calamity' due to projected daily vehicle trips being significantly higher than Atlantic Fields, and the presence of 5,000 projected residents. Differences in traffic capture, external impacts on surrounding routes, and whether the projects were within transportation improvement districts were noted. The presentation then shifted to the release of Delaware's updated state climate projections from late 2025, covering temperature and sea level rise, noting that annual temperatures have increased by three degrees since 1895 and are projected to rise further. Other topics included organizational accomplishments in 2025, such as developing strategy, purchasing financial software, establishing land use and legal committees, hosting events, and engaging in advocacy related to land use reform and state policy.

The meeting convened to address important business, primarily focusing on the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance and the commission's bylaws. Key discussion revolved around amending the residency requirement for ADUs, specifically Section 197-46.1F7, which mandates owner occupancy. A motion was introduced to strike the owner-occupancy requirement and instead mandate a licensed property manager for oversight, citing that the current restriction limits the development of ADUs due to a high percentage of part-time residents. The discussion included referencing comparable ordinances from other municipalities, such as Carmel by the Sea and East Hampton, New York, and Kent County and Milford, Delaware, which typically enforce owner occupancy. The commission intended to vote on the ADU motion and finalize the bylaws to transmit to the Mayor and City Council. An update on a contractor was also planned.

The special meeting served as a public input session, not a formal hearing, regarding alleyways. Key discussion points centered on property rights, boundary lines dating back to 1927, and environmental concerns related to a natural branch and potential flooding near alleys. The city solicitor outlined three general options for alley resolution: maintaining the status quo, the city vacating its interest (interior or exterior), or the city asserting interest. The council expressed a strong preference for retaining ownership of interior alleys for essential public services like trash collection, while appearing open to vacating exterior alleys. Residents voiced concerns about the uncertainty caused by disputed alley ownership, the inability to sell or develop properties, and past issues with alley usage fees. The legal process, including a potential quiet title petition in the Court of Chancery, was discussed for resolving ownership disputes.

The Public Art Committee meeting involved the approval of the agenda, moving the discussion regarding 2027 installations until a specific member joined. The committee approved the minutes of the previous meeting. Key discussion points included finalizing the contract with Wally Dion, the 2026 artist, who will create a temporary quilt piece and visit in January to determine placement. The committee discussed the potential postponement of the 2027 bus tour due to the focus needed for the 2025 anniversary year, with some members leaning toward proceeding if effort is allocated. Several potential artists for the 2027 installations were reviewed, including Aurora (using plastic waste imagery), Michael (exploring architecture and geometric forms using wood, gold leaf, and metal), an unnamed artist whose work juxtaposes landscape paintings with actual nature, Margaret (addressing heavy topics like the homeless crisis and gun violence through house-like structures incorporating gun casings), and Amy (exploring themes of fracturing and manufactured housing communities). The committee also discussed the need to develop a standardized marketing outline for future events and to update the website with past artist biographies and images.