Reported by Weijia Jiang, WBOC16, FOX21
DEWEY BEACH, Del.- It may not be a record, but Dewey Beach town leaders and residents alike would probably tell you Friday night’s council meeting was one of the longest they can remember.
For more than five hours, voices from all sides of the Ruddertowne debate chimed in.
The mayor and council members had a big choice to make, and there was no room to fumble judging by the emotional tension that filled the town’s Bay Center.
In the end the 3-2 decision gave developers a big sigh of relief.
The vote is in no way a final decision about whether a new development will be built, but it was certainly an important hurdle for Harvey Hanna & Associates, the company that has much to say about the future of a beach landmark.
Developer Jim Baeurle said the company has agreed to keep the Rusty Rudder the same, as well as The Lighthouse Restaurant, Bay Center, and Crabber’s Cove.
But the future of Ruddertowne, like any solid business endeavor, relies on smart negotiations.
“Our vision is to meet their vision with a new boardwalk, restrooms, more public access and more parking. In exchange for that we need two extra floors on the property,” Baeurle said.
“Two extra floors” is not as casual as some may think.
It translates into 33 extra feet for buildings on the property. It would be a change from the 35-foot town mandate to 68 feet, as long as the property is part of the zone that includes 80,000 square feet of property.
Many town residents said the portions that locals would have to chip in to make that compromise a reality is too expensive.
“The price us citizens would pay is to change the face of Dewey forever. We’re not willing to pay that,” Joy Howell said.
Diana Hanson agreed. “It’s turning into an Ocean City. They are not looking at the reality-they’re looking at the money. This is pure greed. It’s what all this is about,” Hanson said.
Hanson, who was a member of the Ruddertowne Architectural Committee, helped to gather 825 signatures in opposition to the development.
Petitioners hope a referendum will result.
Even Mayor Dell Tush is skeptical about what sort of development the town can logistically sustain.
“Dewey is a vibrant beach town, but not a year-round town,” he said. “I don’t think we can financially support this project.”
The zoning ordinance proposal will now move to the planning commission for review. It will be up to the members to decide whether to move forward with a recommendation for the mayor and council.