PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
The Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee Meeting was held on April 24, 2007, at 12:02 p.m. with Chairman Ruane presiding. Members present were Mrs. Russell, Mr. McGlumphy, Mr. Lewis (arrived at 12:06 p.m.), and Mrs. Horsey (departed at 1:58 p.m.).
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. McGlumphy moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mrs. Horsey and unanimously carried.
Review of Schutte Park Master Plan
Mr. Zachery Carter, Director of Parks and Recreation, compared the original Master Plan for Schutte Park that was dated 1991 with the most recent Master Plan. Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mr. Carter stated that the installation of tennis courts are included in the five (5) year plan, as well as playground equipment. Mr. Carter noted that the amount budgeted, two (2) or three (3) years out, for the playground equipment is $80,000. Responding to Mr. DePrima, City Manager, Mr. Carter indicated that the amphitheater and park will be built where the soccer fields currently are located.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mr. Scott Koenig, Public Services Manager, stated that the road alignment project is in year three (3). He stated that the earmarked funds are $1.5 million over a period of six (6) years and that there is $900,000 accumulated to date. Mr. Koenig indicated that the plan is to use the lands dedicated for the right-of-way towards the required twenty percent (20%) match. He also noted that he would rather not pursue the intersection improvements due to the same improvements being required for the Kesselring Development.
Mrs. Russell moved to recommend that the five (5) year Capital Improvement Plan for Schutte Park be brought back for members to review at their next meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.
Update - John W. Pitts Recreation Center
Mr. Carter stated that the John W. Pitts Recreation Center project is on hold due to the weather. He indicated that once the ground drys out, construction will continue.
Update - Planning and Funding for New Library
Mr. Carter indicated that the Request For Proposals for the new library will be released during the week of April 30, 2007. He stated that he had met with Kent County Library staff last week and that they are planning to go before Levy Court to determine how members of Levy Court can get involved with this project. Mr. Carter advised members that there is approximately $1.3 million set aside for this project and that no funds have been budgeted for this upcoming budget year.
Mr. DePrima stated that Mr. Richard Thau will start as the new Library Director for the Dover Public Library on June 11, 2007. Mr. Thau has over 20 years of experience in libraries, most recently, as the Library Director of the Pennsauken New Jersey Library.
Proposed Zoning Text Amendment - Appendix B - Zoning, Article 3 - District Regulations, Section 2 - General Residence Zones (RG-1 and RG-2)
Members were provided a proposed zoning text amendment to Appendix B - Zoning Ordinance, Article 3 - Section 2 - General Residence Zones (RG-1 and RG-2), of the Dover Code, which would be amended by adding a new section as follows:
2.6 Administrative Waivers: The City Planner shall have the authority to waive
the Bulk Standards and Parking Requirements of Article 4 Section 4.2 for all non-
conforming lots that existed in the RG-1 zone prior to January 1, 2007, when deemed
necessary for redevelopment. The applicant must request such waivers in writing, statingthe reasons that such waivers are necessary for development or redevelopment
of the subject parcel.
Ms. Janelle Cornwell, City Planner, advised members that staff was requested to prepare this new section due to the number of non-conforming parcels located within city limits. The current variance requires sixty (60) feet of frontage and twenty feet (20) on each side of the proposed structure, therefore, it would be impossible to build a home on a parcel that is thirty (30) to forty (40) feet wide. She also noted that this would solve the problem of having to request a variance from the Board of Adjustment.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Ms. Cornwell also indicated that the parking requirements could also be waived from the requirement of two (2) off-street spaces to one (1) or no off-street space.
Responding to Mayor Speed, Ms. Cornwell indicated that the main uses for RG-1 and RG-2 are residential and that the corner lot at Reed and New Streets recently went before the Board of Adjustments for a variance due to the parcel size.
Mrs. Horsey indicated that the proposed zoning text amendment should help encourage development.
Mr. McGlumphy moved to recommend adoption of the proposed zoning text amendment (Attachment #1), as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Horsey and unanimously carried.
Loockerman Way Land Sale - Amend Decision to Dispose of Excess Land
Mr. DePrima stated that during the October 9, 2006 City Council meeting, the Council authorized the City Manager to dispose of the city owned property known as “Loockerman Way” to the owner and equitable owner of four adjacent properties to the east and west known as the Collegian Hospitality Group II, LLC. Mr. DePrima indicated that one of two conditions placed on the sale was that a pedestrian access way be included in the plan for the Collegian for the purpose of allowing access from Loockerman Street to North Street. Originally it was thought that this would not be a problem, however, after several design considerations, it was determined that such an access way could not be safely designed without severely impacting the overall project design. The project was reviewed by the Planning Commission and approved without such an access way. Mr. DePrima indicated his concurrence with the overall concern of safety and recommended that condition “b” be removed as a condition of sale.
Staff recommended action to amend the City Manager’s authorization to sell property known as Loockerman Way at value based on an unbiased appraisal plus appraisal costs, legal cost, and cost of relocating public utilities eliminating the former condition (b) that a new pedestrian access way between North Street and Loockerman Street be included in the design of “The Collegian” project. Condition (a) that all construction permits for “The Collegian” project be obtained by the developer of adjacent properties prior to sale will remain as a condition.
Mr. McGlumphy moved to recommend that condition (b) - inclusion of a pedestrian access way be included in the plan for the Collegian for the purpose of allowing access from Loockerman Street to North Street, be removed as a condition of sale. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.
Discussion - Revisions to Animal Control Ordinance
During their meeting of January 23, 2007, members reviewed the current City of Dover Code, Chapter 18 - Animals, and suggested numerous revisions. Staff was directed to prepare a draft amendment to the ordinance, including the revisions discussed, to be brought back for further review by the committee.
During their meeting of February 27, 2007, members were provided binders which included the ordinance with the recommended revisions, an excerpt from the meeting minutes of the January 23, 2007 Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee meeting, the original Dover Code, Chapter 18 - Animals, and the animal ordinances for the City of Wilmington and the City of Newark. It was the consensus of members that a final review of the amendments to Chapter 18 - Animals, which would also include a fines section, definition of animals similar to the City of Newark’s ordinance, and a section regarding convicted felons being prohibited from owning Pit Bulls, be presented at the next meeting.
Members reviewed Draft Version #2 of the Dover Code, Chapter 18 - Animals and suggested several additional changes (Attachment #2). After further discussion, it was recommended that a Draft Version #3 be presented for members to review during the next committee meeting.
Update - Puncheon Run Watershed Action Team Update
No update was given.
CDBG Program
No update was give.
Mr. McGlumphy moved for adjournment, seconded by Mrs. Russell and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 1:59 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Eugene B. Ruane
Chairman
EBR/jcr
S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCommittee-Minutes20074-24-2007 PR&CE.wpd
Attachments
Attachment #1 - Proposed Zoning Text Amendment
Attachment #2 - Revisions to Animal Control Ordinance Version 3