COUNCIL COMMITTEES

The Council Committees Meeting was held on September 14, 1998, at 6:30 p.m., with Mr. Salters presiding in the absence of Council President Christiansen. Members of Council present were Mr. Lambert, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Leary, Mr. Truitt, Mr. Carey, Mrs. Malone, Mr. Weller, and Mayor Hutchison.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Mrs. Malone requested the addition of item #3 under Legislative and Finance Committee - Environmental Project Funding for Silver Lake. Mr. Leary moved for approval of the amended agenda, seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.

LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Legislative and Finance Committee met with Councilman Leary presiding. Members present were Councilwoman Malone, Mr. Gorman and Mr. Merritt. Mr. Pitts was deputized to serve for Mr. Salters.

Proposed Zoning Text Amendment - Article 3, District Regulations - Section 10, Institutional and Office Zone

At the request of Mayor and Council, the Planning Director, Mr. DePrima, re-evaluated the I/O (Institutional/Office) zone to determine the necessity of revising the permitted uses, prohibited uses, and conditional uses, given possible governmental and institutional uses that may be proposed for the zone. In order to make the uses more specific and to tailor them to the goals of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, the Planning Commission recommended the following revisions:

 ■    The addition of police stations, courthouses, transit centers, motor vehicle storage and repair facilities accessory to public or institutional uses, public indoor recreation centers, and civic centers to Section 10.12 - Uses Permitted.

Mr. DePrima stated that this revision clarifies uses that were not listed as “permitted uses” but were permitted in the past and are likely to be considered in the future.

      ■    The addition of the wording “accessory to permitted uses located on the same lot” to Section 10.13 - Restaurants.

Mr. DePrima stated that there are some areas in the I/O zone, particularly along the north side of Route 8, that the development of strip commercial areas are not desired. This revision will permit restaurants as an accessory to the permitted use, however, it will prevent strip commercial areas and stand-alone fast-food restaurants.

      ■    The addition of prisons, correctional facilities, and public incinerators to Section 10.15 as conditional uses.

Mr. DePrima explained that this revision will give the Planning Commission more discretion in evaluating an application and, if appropriate, denying an application based on the use, the impact on surrounding property owners, and public comment.

      ■    The addition of dumps and landfills to Section 10.53 - Prohibited Uses.

Mr. DePrima stated that this revision specifies that dumps and landfills as prohibited in the I/O zone.

Mrs. Malone moved to recommend approval of the Zoning Text Amendments to Section 10.12, 10.13, 10.15, and 10.53 of the Dover Code, as recommended by the Planning Commission (Attachment #1). The motion was seconded by Mr. Gorman and unanimously carried. (It is noted that a public hearing is required and it is recommended that the public hearing be scheduled for October 12, 1998 at 7:30 p.m.).

Proposed Zoning Text Amendment - Article 6, Off-Street Parking, Driveways and Loading Facilities - Section 5, Supplementary Regulations for Parking and Loading Facilities - Subsection 5.5, Race Weekend Parking

During the committee meeting on July 13, 1998, members directed staff to prepare an ordinance amendment to codify the City’s policy to allow parking on residentially zoned property during race weeks at Dover Downs. The City’s current policy allows race fans to park cars and recreational vehicles with sanitation systems in residential zones for a fee during race weekends.

Mr. DePrima submitted a proposed amendment to Article 6 - Off-Street Parking, Driveways, and Loading Facility, Section 5 - Supplementary Regulations for Parking and Loading Facilities, Subsection 5.5 - Race Weekend Parking of the Dover Code, as recommended by the Planning Commission. He noted that the last sentence “Commercial parking does not include . . . ” was added by staff after the Planning Commission’s review. He explained that this clarifies that commercial vendors and sales representatives would not be permitted.

Responding to Mr. Lambert, Mr. DePrima stated that geographic limits were not included in the policy since market demand and proximity to the race track would promote self-regulation.

In response to Mr. Truitt, Mr. DePrima stated that the proposed amendment would allow a parking fee to be charged by the property owner. Mr. Truitt relayed concern that the proposed amendment does not specifically indicate that parking for a fee would be permitted and suggested that it be included in the proposed amendment.

Mrs. Malone moved to recommend approval of the Zoning Text Amendment to Article 6 - Off-Street Parking, Driveways, and Loading Facility, Section 5 - Supplementary Regulations for Parking and Loading Facilities, Subsection 5.5 - Race Weekend Parking of the Dover Code, stipulating that “(for a fee)” be added to the amendment following “commercial parking” within the first sentence (Attachment #2). The motion was seconded by Mr. Gorman and unanimously carried. (It is noted that a public hearing is required and it is recommended that the public hearing be scheduled for October 12, 1998 at 7:30 p.m.).

Environmental Project Funding for Silver Lake

Mrs. Malone reported that, thanks to the efforts of Representative Nancy Wagner, the State of Delaware recently approved the award of DNREC funds in the amount of $52,000 to the City of Dover for the Silver Lake Environmental Project. In addition, the Kent Conservation District will be providing $16,000 and Kent County Levy Court has approved $16,000 for the project. The City of Dover will be matching those funds by providing funds and in-kind services through the Public Works Department. Mrs. Malone stated that the total estimated cost of the project is $100,000.

Members suggested that a letter of appreciation be sent to Representative Wagner for her efforts.

Mr. Carey moved to adjourn into executive session to discuss legal matters, seconded by Mr. Weller and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 6:58 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Reuben Salters

RS/tm