SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
The Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee Meeting was held on October 23, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. with Chairman Hogan presiding. Members present were Mr. Slavin and Mr. Link. Mr. Lakeman was absent. Councilman Ruane was also present.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Slavin moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Link and unanimously carried.
Presentation - Delaware 8 Concept Plan and Operations Study Overview and Recommendations (Juanita Wieczoreck)
As requested during their meeting of September 25, 2007, Ms. Wieczorek, Director of the Dover/Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), provided a Power Point Presentation on the Route 8 Concept Plan and Operations Study (Attachment #1). She noted that the Project Advisory Committee for the Route 8 Study has developed a preferred alternative and that the plan for implementation is to develop a Memorandum of Understanding between Dover, DelDOT and Kent County; develop Early Action Contracts; and to submit projects to DelDOT for Funding.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Ms. Wieczoreck stated that the report includes a section regarding the Corridor Overlay Zone and the need for in-fill development, and context sensitive design issues that need to be considered when improvements are made. She stated that the presentation is not inclusive of all recommendations included in the study report. Mr. Hogan requested that members be provided copies of the complete study report.
Mr. Ruane indicated that members of the Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee, during their meeting of October 23, 2007, requested that the Director of Planning and Inspections incorporate time to meet with all Council Committees to review their topical areas of interest and provide expertise for inclusion in the development of the Comprehensive Plan Update. It was his opinion that the Comprehensive Plan Update should include the Route 8 Concept Plan, prioritization list, etc.
No further action was taken by the committee.
Proposed Ordinance Amendment - Chapter 46 - Fire Prevention and Protection, Article III - Fire Codes, Section 46-128 - Sprinkler Requirements
Mr. Truax, Fire Marshal, advised members that in March 2007, a committee was formed to help assist with the development of a townhouse sprinkler ordinance. In addition to himself, he stated that the committee consisted of representatives of the Realtors Association, Home Builders Association, Chamber of Commerce, and C.S. Kidner Associates. He stated that the proposed ordinance is the fairest that could be reached by all parties involved. Mr. Truax assured members that the committee was invited to attend this meeting for further comments.
Staff recommended adoption of the proposed ordinance amending Chapter 46 - Fire Prevention and Protection, Article III - Fire Code, Section 46-128 - Sprinkler Requirements, of the Dover Code. Mr. Truax advised members that the proposed amendment was also reviewed by the City Solicitor and that as a result, revisions were made. He requested that the proposed ordinance become effective January 1, 2008. If agreed by members, Mr. Truax stated that this date would be included in the proposed ordinance when presented to Council for approval.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mr. Truax explained that approval of the Planning Commission, as indicated in Section (b), Subsection 1, would be when the subdivision has been reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission as an acceptable subdivision and ready for construction. Such a subdivision would be exempt if this approval occurred before the date in which the ordinance takes effect. Noting that there have been interpretation issues for approval levels, Mr. Ruane suggested that the ordinance clarify that the approval would be at the site plan approval level. Mr. Truax indicated that he would request the City Solicitor to review the wording of Section (b), Subsection 1 to address this concern.
For consistency, Mr. Ruane also suggested that the same language be considered for Subsections 2 and 3 of Section (b), where there is reference to “adoption of this ordinance” and “effective date of this ordinance”, noting that these could be different dates. Responding, Mr. Truax assured members that reference to “adoption of this ordinance” as indicated in Section (b), Subsection 2, will be revised to read “effective date of this ordinance”.
Mr. Ruane suggested that Section (b), Subsection 4, be amended by deleting “as determined by the City Assessor” and inserting in lieu thereof “the City’s most current assessed value of the property by the City Assessor”.
Mr. Slavin moved to recommend adoption of the proposed ordinance, with an effective date of January 1, 2008, as recommended by staff, and with the changes that the committee has noted. The motion was seconded by Mr. Link and unanimously carried. (City Clerk’s Office Note: There was a misunderstanding of the date/time of this meeting by members of the committee that assisted with the development of the townhouse sprinkler ordinance, who requested the opportunity to comment on the proposed ordinance further; therefore, the proposed ordinance, as revised, will be re-submitted to the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee for their review and recommendation during their meeting scheduled for November 27, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.)
There being no further business, Chairman Hogan declared the meeting adjourned.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:50 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Kenneth L. Hogan
Chairman
KLH/TM/jg
S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCommittee-Minutes200710-23-2007 SA&T.wpd
Attachment to Original and File Copy
Attachment #1 - Presentation, Route 8 Concept Plan and Operations Study