More than 60 individuals filled the Bethany Beach Town Hall Friday, Oct. 17, leaving standing room only as attendees heard council vote against the proposed amendment change to the Table of Dimensional Requirements and for the latest bandstand concept.

The proposed amendment was offered by the town's planning commission, whose members said they hoped to preserve open space with the change, according to Calvin Baldwin, planning commission chairman.

Council held a public hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 15 to gauge residents' opinions of the change, which would include the addition of certain decks, walkways and patios in the total allowable structure size of buildings. Most of those in attendance at Wednesday's public hearing opposed the amendment (see story page 2).

To assure residents and property owners this would not be brought before council at a later date without them being well aware of it, council members voted against it. They also voted to send it back to the planning commission and will send out a questionnaire to property owners on this topic and several others next month.

Joseph McHugh, mayor, said many individuals attend council meetings to offer comments and voice their concerns. He added he hoped concerned citizens would also take the time to attend planning commission meetings and offer those members the same counsel.

In other action, Bethany Beach Town Council approved the newest bandstand concept created by John Slater of Slater & Associates. With the approval of the concept drawing, council can now move forward with more detailed drawings using many suggestions made by the owners of the Blue Surf Motel.

Council voted six to one to approve the bandstand concept. Council member Wayne Fuller voted against the concept, which places the bandstand closer to the motel, stating many individuals wanted it back in the center.

This version has a gazebo-style storage building on the stage under the gabled roof of the lifeguard station. The stage will remain the size of the current bandstand and will feature a softer style wall between it and the motel.

It will rise up in two-foot increments from street level and will help screen the motel with plantings. The plants should help buffer noise away from the motel, as well. Slater also suggested a wider, more spacious handicapped ramp be designed between the bandstand and motel.

Slater & Associates is a Columbia, Md. company that also drafted the town's beautification project.

Officials and Phil Boesch, chairman of the beautification committee, decided to ask Slater for his bandstand suggestions as he best understood the look officials were trying to achieve.

"The bandstand issue has been on the table for years," Boesch said.

Council also gave Town Manager Cliff Graviet permission to borrow up to $730,000 for the purchase of the church property on the northwest corner of routes 1 and 26.

The Neff property, adjacent to the church property, is still in litigation, and council will have to wait for the outcome.

Reach Roxann Moore at (302) 537-1881, ext. 108, or by e-mail at mailto:rmoore@smgpo.gannett.com

Originally published Wednesday, October 22, 2003