Bethany Beach officials consider new homebuilding ordinance

Bethany Beach officials are considering a new ordinance that would restrict the way new homes are built. This after they say residents have been complaining for years about new houses obstructing sight lines.

Monday they held a public comment hearing on the matter and, in terms of those who spoke, it seemed to be equally contested matter.

Essentially the ordinance aims to limit future homes to certain size and design with the hope that they don’t look disproportionate to existing homes.

But those like Joe Clark,  who moved to the beach resort town in 2006, argue the ordinance impedes on a home owners right to build a home the way they want it.

“In essence your limiting the square footage availability that could be constructed and the long and short of it is we do believe its going to be decreasing the economic value of these properties,” Clark said.

Although points like Clark’s are not taken lightly the town council vice mayor Lew Kilmer said with things like this it’s about compromise. 

At the meeting Monday  the town council supplied examples of how the ordinance would affect those building homes in the future.

“It’s a difficult scenario, it’s not an easy solution to something like this, but at the end of the day we’re trying counter a balance between individual property rights and existing neighborhoods,” Kilmer said.

The council has not yet decided when they will vote on the matter, but Kilmer said he’d like to get it done in October before a majority of the town leaves for the winter.

If the ordinance were to pass it would not affect any homes already built or those in the process of being built.

The ordinance would also not go into effect until a year from the time it’s passed.