Over the past several months, South Bethany's Town Council has grappled with retaining the town's single-family home image and has looked for ways to keep their small-town feel.

However, they are having problems finding the best way to retain the town's charm while respecting the desires of property owners.

As in months past, some residents questioned why the council was trying to limit home sizes -- a question council still can not answer.

But, council did agree that two of the three proposed ordinance amendments they were considering should be withdrawn, and they were at last week's council meeting.

"The council has not reached a consensus, and I told you we would not do anything until we had," Mayor Don Beck told a handful of residents who attended the Friday, Dec. 12 meeting.

Council then voted to withdraw the ordinance that would limit the size of a single-family home and limit the number of bathrooms and kitchens permitted.

This proposed ordinance was offered by council member Richard Ronan, who also asked for its withdrawal.

Council then voted to withdraw the proposed ordinance that would have limited the number of people permitted in a house. This ordinance was tabled last month, but brought back so it could be withdrawn, according to Beck.

"I personally don't want to see overly large homes around South Bethany," he commented.

Council did hold the second reading to increase the side-yard setbacks for "over-sized" lots. This ordinance, if approved, would increase the side-yard setbacks by the percentage of lot increase.

For example, if a single lot's side-yard setback was eight feet and a second lot of equal size were purchased and combined, the side yard setbacks would increase to 16 feet.

However, council agreed the setbacks would be somewhat flexible. If a property owner wanted eight feet on one side, he or she would need 24 feet on the other side.

Council said their purpose for the increase was to retain some open space within their community.

When asked by residents if they had considered other solutions, Beck replied, "We have considered other ideas and will consider any resident's or property owner's ideas."

Council also announced the town's attorney, Terence Jaywork, had finished the contract with Sharp Energy for the propane gas service agreement.

Council will review the contract in a scheduled workshop; the date is to be announced as many members of council will be out of town or busy over the holiday.

In other action, council said sometime in the new year, State Police Troop 4 Georgetown is expected to help patrol the beach area because of a shortage of manpower at Troop 7 Lewes, according to council. George-town's state police troop will cover from Indian River southward to the Delaware/Maryland line and over to Route 113 in addition to their current area.

This prompted Beck to announce the council is working with state elected officials to again ask Gov. Ruth Ann Minner for a charter change allowing South Bethany police to patrol a small section of Kent Avenue where town residents live.

Council is going to revisit the issue in the coming legislative session. Any traffic fines issued outside of the town's jurisdiction would be given to the state, Beck said, adding the safety and well-being of town residents living along Kent Avenue is more important than any income the department may realize from violations.

Council also announced the new privacy policy for residents who want to report a violation without revealing who filed the complaint. This comes after some residents complained that the former process caused hard feelings between people or allowed violations to go unreported.

The old process required complainants to fill out a form with their name on it. These forms then fell under the Freedom of Information Act and permitted anyone who wanted to review the complaints access to all the information.

Now, those who want to remain anonymous can, but they will be required to contact town officials if they want an update on any action taken.

The next South Bethany Town Council meeting is slated for Friday, Feb. 13, 2004 beginning at 7 p.m.

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

Originally published Wednesday, December 17, 2003