Following a public hearing on July 9, Georgetown Town Council introduced amendments to extend the site plan approval process and create a conditional use provision in the town’s zoning ordinance.

Town solicitor James Fuqua said the conditional use provision would allow specific, town-approved uses on parcels instead of having to grant a full rezoning.

“It’s been a very beneficial tool for the county,” Fuqua said.

The only public comment came from attorney Robert Witsil – representing Sussex Crisis Center – who said allowing conditional use would be beneficial to the non-profit emergency housing organization in Kimmeytown.

An amendment to allow the town’s planning commission to extend the site plan approval process by an extra year (allowing a total of four years from a plan’s introduction to the drawing of building permits) was also introduced at the meeting.

No public comment was offered on the proposal.

A second reading of the ordinance amendments and approval could take place at council’s next regular meeting on Aug. 13.

In other council news:

• Council unanimously granted approval of a four-well geothermal heating system at the new Georgetown Public Library site on W. Pine Street. A representative from Aqua Tech said the system would pose no environmental issues and would save the library up to two-thirds of the cost of a traditional system.

• Council approved a recoupment and public works agreement with the developers of the County Seat Apartments – an approximately 200 unit development across Route 18/404 from Delaware Tech.

The recoupment agreement would allow the developer, who is fronting the costs of a regional pump station and force main to be reimbursed by future developers through connection fees over a 15-year period. All necessary approvals have been obtained, and the developer told council construction would start immediately.

• Following a discussion on approved uses in highway commercial and light industrial zones, council voted to table an annexation agreement with Arrow Safety LLC, pending further discussion.

• An annexation committee – consisting of all of council – was appointed to consider the annexation proposal of Smith Farms. The committee’s report is expected by Aug. 13.

• Council approved a sliding-scale wastewater service agreement with Artesian. Town manager Gene Dvornick said the agreement puts the town under no obligation but allows for possible wastewater disposal needs associated with future growth. Connection fees will be based on when, and if, the town moves forward with construction.

• Council held second readings and approved ordinances requiring permission for use of the town seal and establishing consequences for violating the town’s code of ethics.

Georgetown Town Council meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at town hall on The Circle.