Rehoboth Beach Planning Commission Chairperson explains the February 5 meeting cancellation

 The below information was distributed today by the City of Rehoboth Beach Planning Commission Chairperson Jeffrey Trunzo to the members of the Planning Commission:

In my role as Chairperson of the Rehoboth Beach Planning Commission, it is part of my duty to ensure that the proceedings of the Planning Commission are conducted in a manner that provides applicants with a neutral panel of Commission members who will consider and decide applications that come before our public body. Today’s Planning Commission meeting was cancelled because the present circumstances do not allow for an informed conclusion as to whether proceeding with today’s meeting would have jeopardized our deliberations on the Clear Space and Spotlight site plan review applications, possibly creating an appealable issue. Therefore, after much consideration and consultation with the City Solicitor, a measured course was determined to be to delay deliberation while certain matters, both quasi-judicial and administrative in nature, are resolved.  

Additionally, very early today a question was raised about whether written submissions were to be accepted on the Clear Space and Spotlight applications until the end of the work day on Tuesday, February 3 or if they would be accepted until today, Friday, February 5. After reviewing the audio and video of the January 29, 2021 public hearing it became apparent that there is a discrepancy between what was announced at the opening of the hearing and what was announced at the conclusion of the hearing. Consequently, the City Secretary has been asked to include written materials submitted prior to today within the formal record. This delay will permit adequate time for the members of the Planning Commission to review those additional written submissions.

I have included the Clear Space and Spotlight site plans on the meeting agenda for Friday, February 12. That agenda will be posted today. I will continue to monitor these matters and may elect to make further adjustments to future agendas. We are all hopeful that we can review and decide applications timely. But it is equally important that we decide applications fairly and thoughtfully.