<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4bVrTm_1DI2WiNq00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4bVrTm_1DI2WiNq00" width="800" height="504" ></figure>First Baptist Church of Lewes has revised its plan for a new church on Kings Highway. The latest plan is entirely within Sussex County's jurisdiction after church officials found it difficult to comply with conditions placed on previous approval by Lewes officials. NICK ROTH PHOTOThe new site plan for First Baptist Church shows the entire project on the Sussex County side of Lewes city limits. SOURCE: SUSSEX COUNTY While it's only a matter of a few feet, the First Baptist Church will no longer be in the City of Lewes if it receives final approval from the Sussex County Planning &amp; Zoning Commission.The church's new site plan is on the agenda for the Wednesday, July 15 meeting in Georgetown.First Baptist has been planning for about a decade to build a new structure on Kings Highway. The new 10,000-square-foot building will still be there, but now only occupying the part of the property located in the county.The church abandoned its original plans for a 14,000-square-foot sanctuary and gym because of rising costs. The original plan had the buildings in the city and only the parking lot in the county.First Baptist Pastor John Reddick said the church will now sell all or part of the land located in the city. He said it is zoned R-5, multifamily residential."Changing economic factors between 2020 and 2024 really set the project up for failure," Reddick said.Lewes Mayor and City Council approved the preliminary site plan in January 2023. Ten conditions pertaining to sidewalks, landscaping and the look of the building were added to the approval.Council asked that the building materials be changed to look less like a warehouse because it sits at a gateway to the city.The original cost of the project was going to be $2.8 million. In October 2023, Reddick said the city's conditions would've added an additional $300,000.Council gave the church relief from some of the conditions in 2024, but it did not budge on the need for sidewalks on Kings Highway and Bay Breeze Drive.Councilman Tim Ritzert was one of the most vocal opponents of the original plan."I was critical of the proposal for the building on the historic byway," he said. "As far as sidewalks, the city has a responsibility to provide safe pedestrian access. I don't think we were too hard on them. Ultimately, it was a financial decision on their part, and we wish them well."Mayor Amy Marasco said it is sad the city is losing a church."I don't want churches or institutions to leave. We have to work together to find out what their needs are," she said. "We'll have to look at what happened, and there should be lessons learned."Historic Lewes Byway Committee Chair Mary Roth said the group funded landscape plans for the original design. She said the group issued a letter of no objection to the new plan in April."Once the future of the adjoining city parcel is decided, the Historic Lewes Byway Committee looks forward to working with its owner to create a frontage that contributes to the gateway," Roth said.If P&amp;Z approves the final site plan, First Baptist will be able to start applying for building permits.Reddick said the church will have everything it needs in the new building, including ground-level accessibility."The city wanted us to build their gateway for them, and it will be just that: a welcoming and attractive property," Reddick said. </div></body>

Block Source: Cape Gazette

Misinformation

Clickbait

Old or repetitive news

Explicit content

Location not relevant

First Baptist Church of Lewes has revised its plan for a new church on Kings Highway. The latest plan is entirely within Sussex County's jurisdiction after church officials found it difficult to comply with conditions placed on previous approval by Lewes officials. NICK ROTH PHOTO. The new site plan for...

First Baptist Church may leave Lewes

NewsBreak

First Baptist Church of Lewes has revised its plan for a new church on Kings Highway. The latest plan is entirely within Sussex County's jurisdiction after

First Baptist Church may leave Lewes

Comments