Sussex County Council approved a conditional use to permit boat repair and storage on a 5.54-acre agricultural-residential parcel on the east side of Bethany Road (Route 17).

Applicant and property owner Albert Finelli and representative Kelly Markamanilakis told council the operation would be leased to others and that repairs would be conducted inside an existing larger building on the site. "He is not operating. He intends to lease it out," Markamanilakis said; she added the lease will incorporate any zoning conditions so future tenants must comply.

Staff noted the Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended approval with seven findings and six conditions, including that "work will be done inside" the larger building. There were no public speakers in favor or opposition and no remote commenters.

Council adopted the ordinance to grant the conditional use with the commission’s recommended findings and conditions and recorded a roll-call vote in support.

What the council approved: Conditional use allowing boat repair and storage on parcel District 533, Map 19, Parcel 11.1 in Baltimore Hundred, Sussex County, subject to the planning commission’s specified conditions, including limitations on hours or on-site operations as detailed in the commission record.

What the council did not do: Council did not approve site-plan-level details or building permits at this hearing; any tenant will be subject to the conditions and may face revocation of conditional-use approval if conditions are violated.

Implementation and compliance: The applicant said lease terms will incorporate planning conditions. Planning staff will enforce compliance through the county’s conditional-use and code-enforcement processes.