REGULAR MEETING
The regular meeting of City Council was held on Monday, July 22, 1968 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Biggs, Harris, Hastings, Hayes, Holpp, Hughes and Smith. Councilman Jackson was absent.
The invocation was said by the Reverend Walter Stone of the Peninsula Conference of Methodist Churches.
MINUTES
The minutes of the regular meeting of May 27, 1968 were approved and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
REPORTS
Chief of Police report for the month of June was accepted.
Building Inspector and Fire Marshal report for the month of June was accepted.
Acting Alderman report for the month of June was accepted. Fines in the amount of $178.80 were remitted to the City of Dover.
J. P. Court #7 for the month of June was accepted. A check in the amount of $1,240.00 was remitted to the City of Dover.
Cash Report, General Fund, for the month of June was accepted.
Budget Report, General Fund, for the month of May was accepted.
Cash Report, Electric Revenue Fund, for the month of June was accepted.
Cash Report, Electric Improvement Fund, for the month of June was accepted.
City Manager Report for the month of June was accepted.
PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS & TREES COMMITTEE
Chairman Smith presented a written report of the Parks, Playgrounds & Trees Committee meeting held on Monday July 1, 1968. On motion of Mr. Holpp, Council accepted the report as presented.
YMCA REQUEST
A request has been received from the YMCA asking Council for $500 which would pay for the transportation of children to and from the playgrounds and to and from Delaware State College in conjunction with the Summer Recreational Programs set up by the YMCA for the children of the City of Dover. The busses are now operating and the cost now being paid by the parents of these children is 10¢ per rider. Mr. Georges of the YMCA, stated that if the money was forthcoming from the City, no charge would be made to the rider of the busses. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council directed that the annual donation to the YMCA be increased by $500 for the fiscal year of 1968-1969.
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
Mr. Neylan, City Manager, requested of Council permission to spend up to $500 for the purchase of playground equipment to be used on the recreational area in Capital Green. This land is not owned by the City and is being developed by the residents of the area with the assistance of the City. This $500 could be allocated from the $8000 authorized by Council to be spent in conjunction with the School Recreational Program. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council by a vote of 6 ‘yes’, 1 ‘no’, Mr. Hughes, and 1 ‘absent’, Mr. Jackson, authorized the City Manager to spend up to $500 for the purchase of the playground equipment.
SIDE YARD VARIANCE
A request has been received by the City Council to amend the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Dover by changing the Minimum Required Side Yard (feet) for the I0 Zoning from ‘30' to ‘10' feet. A public hearing was duly advertised for this time and date. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing opened. No one was present to speak for or against the request. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing closed. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council by a vote of 7 ‘yes’ and 1 ‘absent’, Mr. Jackson, adopted the following ordinance.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DOVER, DELAWARE AS APPROVED BY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 21, 1961.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET, that effective this date, the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Dover, Delaware is amended as follows, to wit:
1. That Article IV, Section 4.15, is amended by striking the Minimum Required Side Yard (feet) for the I0 Zoning “30" and substituting in lieu thereof “10".
Adopted July 22, 1968
GROUP HOUSING ZONE (RG-3)
A request has been received by the City Council to amend the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Dover by creating a new Zoning Designation for Group Housing to be known as RG-3. A public hearing was duly advertised for this time and date. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing opened. No one was present to speak for or against the request. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended the Council adopt the proposed Group Housing Zone, striking out section 5.61 which requires a minimum of two acres. After much discussion by the Council, Mayor Carroll declared the hearing closed. On motion of Mr. Biggs, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council adopted the following ordinance, by a vote of 7 ‘yes’ and 1 ‘absent’, Mr. Jackson.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DOVER, DELAWARE, AS APPROVED BY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 27, 1961.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET, that effective this date, the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Dover, Delaware is amended as follows, to wit:
1. That Article III is amended by adding to said Article, a new section 3.12, Group Housing Zone (RG-3), as follows:
3.12.1 USES PERMITTED. In a Group Housing Zone no building or premises shall be used and no building or part of a building shall be erected, which is arranged, intended, or designed to be used, in whole or in part, for any purpose, except following:
3.12.1.1 Any use permitted in One-Family Residence Zone.
3.12.1.2 One-Family Group Dwellings such as Town Houses and Row Houses.
3.12.2 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. All uses are subject to Performance Standards as set forth in Section 5.51.
3.12.3 SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN APPROVAL. Site development plan approval in accordance with Section 10.2 hereof shall be required prior to the issuance of building permits for the erection or enlargement of all structures and related accessory structures. Such approval shall also be required prior to the issuance of certificates of occupancy for a change of use.
2. That Article IV is amended by adding to the said Article a new Section, 4.19 as follows:
4.19 BULK AND PARKING REGULATIONS FOR GROUP HOUSING ZONE
One-Family Dwellings Group
DetachedDwellings
Minimum Required:
Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit (Sq. Ft.) (Same requirements as for 1,800
Lot width (ft.) dwellings in RG-1 Zone) 18
Lot Depth (ft.) 100
Front Yard (ft.) 15
One Side Yard (ft.) 15*
Total Both Side Yards (ft.)
Rear Yard (ft.) 15
Off-Street Parking Spaces/DU 1/DU
Maximum Permitted:
Building Height
Stories 3
Feet 35
Building Coverage 40%
* Side yard requirement shall not apply to an interior unit or the attached side of a unit in a row with group dwellings.
3. That Article V is amended by adding to the said article a new Section 5.6 as follows:
5.6 SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS APPLYING TO GROUP HOUSING ZONE (RG-3)
5.61 Number of Dwellings Units per Group. The maximum number of dwelling units per group shall be Eight (8).
5.62 Distance Between Building Groups. No part of any building group shall be nearer than Thirty (30) Feet to any other building group and no portion of the front or rear any building group shall be nearer than Fifty (50) Feet to any part of another building group.
Adopted July 22, 1968
SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
A written report of the Safety Advisory Committee meeting held on July 1, 1968 was presented to Council by Chairman Earl D. Smith. On motion of Mr. Hayes, Council accepted the report as presented.
TRAFFIC ORDINANCES
A request has been received by the Safety Advisory Committee to eliminate some parking places in the vicinity of the Hospital and Holy Cross Church to help the flow of traffic in that area, and to channelize the traffic on Governors Avenue at the intersection of North Street. This would require the adoption of ordinances to eliminate the parking places involved. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Smith, Council directed the City Solicitor to draw up such ordinances and present them to Council for adoption.
PROJECTS 38 & 38A
Bids were recently received for Project 38 (Sidewalk and Alley Program) and Project 38A (Hot Mix Requirements for 1968). The low bidder on Project 38 was Warren Brothers at $86,616.00. The low bidder on Project 38A was also Warren Brothers at $67,950.00. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Hastings, Council directed the City Manager to award the above mentioned Projects to the low bidder, Warren Brothers.
SEWAGE PROPOSAL TO KENT COUNTY
A study of the treatment facilities of the City of Dover has recently been completed by the firm of Albright & Friel, Inc. and a report submitted to the City of Dover. In conjunction with this report, City Manager Neylan would like to make a proposal to the Kent County Levy Court for their consideration of the County joining the City as a solution to the sewage treatment problem. Mr. Neylan proposes to draft a letter to the Levy Court outlining the proposed construction of wastewater treatment facilities sufficient to meet the requirements of the present and future City area and from certain area of the County north and south of Dover. Also included would be estimated total annual costs to the County and requirements that they would need to fulfil in order to join into the City-operated treatment facility. Mr. Neylan also proposes to ask the County for a written reply to his proposal or a written proposal of their own for the consideration of the City of Dover. On motion of Mr. Hastings, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council authorized the City Manager to make such a proposal to the Kent County Levy Court.
DISTRICT LITTLE LEAGUE TOURNAMENT
A letter was received from the Little League stating that the District Little League Tournament would be held this year in Dover on August 9th and 10th. An invitation was extended at this time to all the members of Council to participate in the opening ceremonies at 5:00 P.M. on August 9th. Also at this time, they were asking for a donation of $250 for support in promoting this tournament. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council authorized the donation of $250 to the District Little League.
REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE
A request was received from the Kent County Republican Committee asking for permission to locate a mobile home at the southern end of the Edgehill Shopping Center, to be used as a Campaign Headquarters for the candidates of the 30th Representative District. This trailer would be open during shopping hours starting August 8th. No sanitary facilities will be in use and the trailer would not be used for any domestic purpose. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council granted permission for the use of this trailer, permission to expire one week after the election in November, 1968.
CORRESPONDENCE
A letter was received from the Central Dover Business Association thanking the City for the recent action taken on the expansion of the parking facilities adjacent to City Hall on the Plaza.
A letter was received by the Chief of Police from the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce expressing its appreciation for the cooperation extended them by the Police Department in handling the extra large crowd that turned out for the fireworks display they held on July 4th.
A letter was received from Standard Brands Chemical Industries, Inc. expressing their happiness in being a part of Dover, and at the same time stating their intentions of expanding the present facilities, this being the Headquarters for SBCI, which has plants throughout the USA.
Council adjourned at 9:20 P.M.
Jay R. Dougherty
City Clerk
All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of July 22, 1968 are hereby approved.
July 23, 1968 Crawford J. Carroll Mayor