Among the Winners is the Ridings of Rehoboth
SUSSEX COUNTY – Urban Award
The Ridings of Rehoboth Beach Homeowners Association. Located off Beaver Dam and Hopkins Road in Lewes, the Ridings of Rehoboth Beach is a 225-lot community which drains into Bundicks Branch, a tributary of the Inland Bays. With its Sediment and Stormwater Management Plan approved by the Sussex Conservation District (SCD) in 2005, the development’s infrastructure was constructed during the height of the market, with builders anticipating the planned community would be complete within a short timeframe. However, when building construction came to a halt in the late 2000s, the Ridings, like many developments, was left with unfinished phases unmaintained for years.
In 2013, several residents attended the SCD’s annual Stormwater Maintenance Seminar. The residents identified compliance issues and wanted to ensure that the community’s stormwater system was functioning as intended by the time it was turned over to their homeowners association. The group soon educated themselves on stormwater management, developed a good understanding of how the interconnected ponds and swales worked in their community and formed a good working partnership with the SCD and other local government agencies.
Around this same time, a new developer purchased the remaining lots in the development. The SCD worked with residents and the new developer to ensure all deficiencies were addressed. Community residents continued to educate themselves with SCD and DNREC resources. One resident even took training to earn the state designation of certified construction reviewer to become better informed of his community’s stormwater system.
Today, as the community nears completion, all six of its stormwater facilities are in compliance with SCD. The Ridings Homeowners Association has established contracts with a local pond maintenance company which has enhanced buffers and improved the overall aesthetics of the development. They also developed a community website, educated residents on the importance of pond buffers and distributed fact sheets on stormwater and swale conveyance and best management practices.
Most recently, the community has applied for an Urban Forestry Grant. In addition, the current homeowners association president sits on the Sussex County Drainage Workgroup Committee, a group of stakeholders who make recommendations to Sussex County Council on how to address drainage and grading standards as well as road and sidewalk specifications for the county.
The Ridings Homeowners Association is a great example of homeowners becoming stewards of the land and working with agencies to collectively solve problems.