City of Lewes adopts ordinance requiring archaeological investigation for certain development projects

After deliberation over several months, the City of Lewes has adopted an ordinance that will require archaeological investigation be conducted prior to approval of larger development projects. Long advocated for by the Archaeological Society of Delaware, the move fulfills a recommendation that was included in the city’s municipal comprehensive plan. The State Historic Preservation Office encouraged the city to pursue the ordinance, and provided comments on the draft that was presented to mayor and council in September. It is believed that Lewes is the first city in Delaware to firmly establish such requirements. 

To learn more about the ordinance, review the recent meeting agenda and minutes at lewes.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=1086.

To learn more about the Archaeological Society of Delaware, go to www.delawarearchaeology.org.

Related Topics:  Archaeology, Delaware, Historical & Cultural Affairs, History, Lewes, Newsroom