REGULAR MEETING

April 25, 1966

The Regular Meeting of City Council was held Monday, April 25, 1966 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs. Biggs, Harris, Hastings, Hayes, Holpp, Hughes, Jackson and Smith.

The invocation was said by Chaplain Miles Murphy of Dover Air Base.

MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting of April 14, 1966 were accepted and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.

MAGISTRATE REPORT

Council accepted the report of Justice of the Peace Court No. 7 for the month of March, 1966. A check in the amount of $2510.00 was remitted to the City.

HOSE COMPANY LOAN

Representatives of the Robbins Hose Company appeared before City Council to request a loan of $45,000 to be repaid without interest over an indefinite period which they expected would be about two years. The Hose Company has purchased a piece of new apparatus and is purchasing an adjoining property which they will use for expansion of their facilities. If the City would advance the amount requested the Company would save interest charges which a bank loan would require. City Treasurer Neylan advised that the money could be advanced from operating funds at least until December 1 but whether the sum would be available beyond that time could not be determined now. President George Hill of the Robbins Hose Company stated they could repay part of what was advanced by December 1 from their annual fund raising drive, and if the City required the entire sum, could arrange a bank loan to repay in full. On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council authorized the loan of $45,000 until December 1, 1966, prior to which date it could be determined whether a further extension of time was possible.

UTILITY COMMITTEE

Councilman Holpp submitted to Council a written report of a meeting of the Utility Committee held April 14 with Mr. Charles Williams of Gilbert Associates, Engineering Consultants. The report was accepted.

RATE STUDY

Mr. Charles Williams recommended to the Utility Committee that a comprehensive study be made by rate experts before new rates are established for domestic customers and that a domestic heat study be made to build winter load to offset the summer peak. The Utility Committee recommended that Gilbert Associates be asked for a proposal on making a study of domestic rates and electric space heating rates. Council discussed the recommendation and concluded that proposals should be solicited from Gilbert Associates and two other firms, and that alternate proposals should be obtained for studies of commercial and industrial rates. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council directed the City Manager to obtain three proposals, from Gilbert Associates, and two others, for a study of domestic and electric heating rates, with alternate proposals for studies of commercial and industrial rates.

STEELE REZONING

A public hearing had been held on April 11, 1966 on a request by Mr. William M. Steele to rezone approximately 12.7 acres of land in the Willey tract from R-20 to RG-2. Action on the request had been tabled until a recommendation could be received from the Planning Commission which met on April 12, 1966. The Planning Commission had recommended that the request be granted. Mr. Steele proposed to build ten apartment houses on the area each containing 20 or 30 units. He also proposes to provide a swimming pool and play areas. Mr. Steele stated he plans to build three apartment houses initially. Mr. Smith asked when he would provide the pool and play areas. Mr. Steele said he would provide them when the three apartments are built. Mr. Hastings noted that the Council has also been requested to rezone other lands of Mrs. Willey and The Beeches which surround this proposed apartment area. He was of the opinion that this partial rezoning should not take place until the entire area was considered. Mr. Hayes noted that proposed recreation facilities in other areas were not available for public use because the developer had not completed his proposed project. Mr. Harris stated he could see no reason for rejecting the request.

On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Biggs, Council by vote of 4 to 3 passed the following ordinance, Messrs. Hastings, Hayes and Smith voting ‘No’.

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP AND ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DOVER BY CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION OF AN AREA BETWEEN U.S. ROUTE #13 AND ROUTE #113, from R-20 to RG-2.

WHEREAS, the City of Dover has enacted a zoning ordinance regulating the use of property within the limits of The City of Dover, and

WHEREAS, it is deemed in the best interest of zoning and planning to change the permitted use from R-20 to RG-2 in the area described below

Now, Therefore, Be It Ordained By The Mayor And Council Of The City OF Dover In Council Met:

From and after the passage and approval of this ordinance, the Zoning Map and Zoning Ordinance of The City of Dover shall be amended by changing the zoning designation from R-20 to RG-2 use in an area of approximately 12.7 acres, located between U.S. Route #13 and the Bay Road, bounded on the west by a proposed extension of River Road and a development known as The Beeches, zoned R-20, on the east and south by lands of Mrs. Agnes Willey, zoned R-20, and on the north by lands now or formerly of Food Fair Corporation, zoned for C-4 use.

Passed April 25, 1966

WILLEY REZONING

Mrs. Agnes Willey has requested that lands of hers and The Beeches be rezoned from R-20 to various other uses. A public hearing is required prior to any rezoning. Councilmen believed that zoning should be considered for the entire area, including the State Highway property adjoining, before the date for a public hearing is set. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Harris, Council requested the Planning Commission to recommend suggested rezoning for the area by the first Council meeting in July following which the date for a public hearing will be set.

DASHIELL REQUEST

J. Roland Dashiell & Sons have a contract to build a dormitory for Wesley College on the southeast corner of Fulton Street and Governors Avenue. They requested permission to park field trailers on Governors Avenue and on Fulton Street during construction and to barricade Fulton Street between Governors Avenue and Bradford Street. The Police and Fire Departments object to closing Fulton Street and to parking trailers on Governors Avenue for such a long time. Council discussed the request and decided a decision could be better made on the spot. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Smith, Council referred the request to the City Manager, Chief of Police, Fire Chief and Supt. of Public Works for their solution.

SEWAGE PLANT

Public Works Superintendent Jack Woods reported to Council on the progress being made toward the solution of the odor problem at the new sewage plant. Improvements have been made and a permanent solution is being sought.

JAY WALKING

Chief of Police Turner read to Council a proposed jay-walking ordinance. Councilman Harris expressed his thought that all ordinances should be considered by Council and made public for a period of time before being adopted. On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Harris, the proposed jay-walking ordinance was tabled until the next meeting of Council. Councilmen will be furnished copies.

FLAGS

The Northeast Dover Civic Association requested permission to display the American flag on flag poles at two entrances to the Towne Point development, one pole is erected and one will be erected. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Smith, permission was granted.

Council adjourned at 9:05 P.M.

 

                                                                        City Clerk

All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of April 25, 1966 are hereby approved.

Crawford J. Carroll

                                                                        Mayor

April 26, 1966