SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
A Special Meeting of Council was held on January 5, 1987 at 7:30 p.m. with Mayor Carroll presiding. The purpose of the Special Meeting was to hold a public hearing concerning the proposal of Constitution Place, The Green. Members present were Councilmen Richter, Ambruso, Legates, Lynn, Christiansen, Witt, Weyandt and VanSant.
Mayor Carroll introduced Mr. Norman Day, consultant for the planning of Constitution Place in the area of The Green. Mr. Day stated that a count of the parking spaces around The Green and the Capitol Complex, east of Federal Street, including the municipal parking lot, indicated 563 on-street parking spaces and 1,438 off-street spaces for a total of approximately 2,000. This does not include off-street lots east of Federal Street. There are approximately 69 parking spaces around The Green. Based on a one-time check, the level of utilization of off-street parking is approximately 70%. charts were displayed to the public showing parking in the various areas and level of utilization.
Three options were submitted for review. Option #1 would maintain the present 35' wide roadway on The Green, eliminate parking along the inner curbline and allow 65 degree diagonal parking around the outer curbline. A total of approximately 50 spaces could be provided in this layout which represents an increase of 17 spaces over the 33 that could be provided with parallel parking along the outer curbline only.
Option #2 would narrow the width of the present roadway on The Green to approximately 30' and maintain parallel parking along both the inner and outer curblines. By omitting three spaces in front of the old State House, this layout would yield approximately 66 to 69 parking spaces and would allow widening the area between the buildings on The Green and the outer curbline by 5'. This space would be devoted to additional landscaping.
Option #3 suggested narrowing the width of the present roadway on The Green to 18' to 20', maintain parallel parking along the outer curbline, and eliminate parking along the inner curbline. This layout would yield approximately 33 parking spaces. It would also allow for widening the area between the buildings on The Green and the outer curbline by 5' and would permit expanding the central grass area of The Green by 10'.
Mr. Day felt very strongly that reducing the roadway of The Green would produce a high level of enhancement to The Green in the way of landscaping and aesthetics.
The Chief of Robbins Hose Company went on record as supporting option #3 which would afford more maneuverability for emergency vehicles.
Mayor Carroll declared the public hearing open to allow citizens an opportunity to present questions to Council and remarks on their views of the proposed renovation of the area around The Green.
Mrs. Marge Ressler, representing the Dover Century Club, felt that the beautification of The Green would be somewhat altered by diagonal parking, noting that the required marked spaces would be aesthetically undesirable.
Mr. John Still, a member of the Planning Commission, noted that the City of Dover recently expended $85,000 for a updated Comprehensive Plan. It was his opinion that the City should continue with a concurrent study of all parking in the downtown area for the benefit of all rather than concentrating on parking related to the impact on The Green.
Mayor Carroll stated that the parking study for Constitution Place is concentrated on the core area of the project. The Parking Authority is in the process of studying parking for the entire downtown area.
Mr. Rick Dennis noted that diagonal parking would jeopardize foliage involved in the landscaping due to exhaust fumes. He was also in favor of eliminating parking around the inner circle of The Green.
Mr. Ward Hitch asked what the total cost of the project encompasses.
Mr. Worley stated that the entire core project, which would include refurbishing The Green and State Street from Water Street to Loockerman Street, including the closing of Court Street, will cost 2.3 million dollars. Other enhancements are planned such as a Visitors Center at the old Opera House which would involve private funding. The City of Dover has committed itself to $1,000,000 matching funds.
Mr. Joseph Gates questioned plans that would include accessibility for the handicapped and landscaping of the inner circle of The Green.
Mr. Day stated that there will be curb depressions for the handicapped, but handicapped parking, etc. will have to be considered by the City after the project is completed.
Appropriate landscaping is planned for the outer perimeter of The Green, leaving the inner circle comparatively clear in the form of a lawn.
Attorney Max Terry, who lives and maintains an office on The Green, referred to a petition submitted by residents who are concerned with restrictive parking and access to The Green. It was his opinion that off-street parking should be procured before implementing any plan to reduce parking around The Green.
Mr. Terry inquired into the possibility that property owners around The Green will be assessed for improvements to sidewalks.
Mr. Worley stated that the figures submitted for the cost of Constitution Place do not include any consideration that property owners will be assessed for improvements to sidewalks. He felt that any thought of sidewalk assessments would be administratively difficult since some of the existing sidewalks meet City specifications but are not the planned brick surface as stipulated in the core area.
Mr. Terry advised that most of the people that live or own property on The Green are satisfied with its present format. Therefore, any cost involved in the installation of brick sidewalks should be borne by the City.
Mr. Bill Witham, being one of the occupants of 26 The Green, noted that brick sidewalks are very expensive. He also asked if the relocation of overhead electric to underground will be at the expense of the property owner.
Mr. Worley stated that the City has never assessed property owners for improvements to utilities such as the proposed underground electric distribution lines.
Mr. George Jones, owning properties in the affected area, stated his allusion from newspaper articles that the entire area will be restored as it existed in 1787. It was his opinion that the only method of accomplishing this end would be to bring in bulldozers and start from scratch. He opposed taking any part of his off-street parking for public parking. Mr. Jones stated that he did not oppose the overall concept of the project but wondered what the end product would contribute to the City of Dover.
Attorney William Vaughn voiced his understanding that one of the by-products of Constitution Place will be the attraction to tourists. Noting that virtually every hotel/motel has written Council endorsing the project, he suggested that the City levy an occupancy tax for rooms that are occupied only. This would assist in defraying the cost of replacing sidewalks with brick that complies with City Code and are satisfactory to the property owner.
Speaking to the subject of adequate parking in the vicinity of The Green, Mr. Vaughn suggested parking at a distant location that would be serviced by a perpetual transportation vehicle. The vehicle could be used not only for tourists, but for people selected for jury duty and others wishing to visit various business offices on The Green.
Judge Henry R. Horsey, residing on the northeast side of The Green, stated that he and his sister also own a commercial property on the northeast corner of The Green which has been mentioned for conversion to the Golden Fleece Tavern. He stated his support of closing Court Street at Federal Street and reverting traffic west on North Street rather than the present east traffic flow.
In the vicinity of the northeast corner of The Green, Mr. Horsey advised of a count that resulted in five necessary tenant parking spaces and 10 business spaces for employees who work in various offices in his property, The Park Building. He stated that talk concerning elimination of parking on The Green and conversion of his property to the original Golden Fleece Tavern has already resulted in the loss of one of his tenants that operates a law office. Noting other state and county offices that require parking on The Green, he felt that elimination of parking on The Green is completely out of the question unless an alternative is readily available.
Mr. Horsey emphatically voiced his opposition to diagonal parking. It was his opinion that the present property owners who have resided on The Green for years and maintained its aesthetical value should be encouraged to remain on The Green versus moving out and converting all facilities to offices.
Mr. Larry McAllister, President of the Dover Parking Authority, noted that most of the parking problems on The Green is created by state and county workers. The Green is the only area without two hour parking that supports employee parking. He added that free long-term parking facilities undermines the Parking Authority’s future planning for convenient off-street parking. Future plans of the Authority include a tax benefit district and an off-street parking lot in the North Street area.
Mayor Carroll declared the public hearing closed.
Mr. Lynn moved that Council convene into regular session, seconded by Mr. Christiansen and unanimously carried.
Mr. Witt moved to retain the current street width on The Green, seconded by Mr. Christiansen.
Mr. Richter stated that Council has come to a reasonable compromise by allowing parking on the outer perimeter of The Green and Council should not back off from their charge to the Dover Parking Authority by continually allowing free on-street parking.
Mr. Christiansen stated that parking on The Green can be settled at a later date. The most important item at this time is to establish the width of the roadbed on The Green to initiate design work.
By a roll call vote of five (5) yes, three (3) no (Mr. Richter, Mr. Ambruso, and Mrs. Legates), Mr. Witt’s motion to retain the current width of The Green was carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
                                                                                    WILLIAM H. WILLIS
                                                                                    CITY CLERK
All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by City Council during their meeting of January 5, 1987, are hereby approved.
                                                                                    CRAWFORD J. CARROLL
                                                                                    MAYOR
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