REGULAR MEETING
March 8, 1965
The Regular Meeting of City Council was held Monday, March 8, 1965 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs. Biggs, Harris, Hayes, Holpp, Hughes, Massey, Smith and Walls.
The invocation was said by the Rev. Elmo Bean.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of February 22, 1965 were accepted and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
REPORTS
Report of the Chief of Police was accepted as read.
Report of Alderman Cavanaugh was accepted. Checks in the amounts of $244.00, $173.00 and $577.60 were remitted to the City. Report of Magistrate Knotts was accepted. Checks in the amount of $73.50 and $839.90 were remitted to the City.
Report of the Fire Marshal and Building Inspector was accepted.
Report of the Board of Health was accepted.
Report of Cash Receipts, General Fund, was accepted.
Budget Report, General Fund, was accepted.
Cash Report, Electric Revenue Fund, was accepted.
Cash Report, Electric Improvement Fund, was accepted.
Report of the City Manager was accepted.
ORDINANCES
Council discussed an ordinance providing for 15 minute parking on the north side of the Plaza from the new Post Office to the parking lot entrance east of City Hall. Councilman Walls pointed out that his committee had not considered the ordinance and had previously recommended that parking be completely eliminated in the area. It was noted that plans for changing the Plaza are not final and that the ordinance would provide parking for post office patrons and could be later changed or rescinded. Mr. Hughes noted that proposed ordinances should be introduced by members of Council. Mr. Harris noted that immediate relief could be given to the parking problem by opening an east entrance to the parking lot where the curb is already depressed west of the Post Office.
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Harris, Council vote of 6 to 2 passed the following ordinance, Messrs. Massey and Walls voting ‘No’.
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF A FIFTEEN MINUTE PARKING ZONE IN THE AREA IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE NEW DOVER POST OFFICE.
WHEREAS, the recent construction of the Dover Post Office lying on the northerly side of East Loockerman Street has created a condition which is hazardous to the free flow of traffic on East Loockerman Street, and
WHEREAS, the condition which now exists creates a problem with regard to the parking of motor vehicles at the above designated area, and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the City of Dover are authorized and empowered to prescribe regulations for parking and the time limits for same on any area within the limits of the city of Dover, and
WHEREAS, the Police Department of the City of Dover, by Ordinance of the Mayor and Council, are authorized and empowered to install any and all necessary traffic signs or symbols necessary for the prescribing of areas of limited parking and setting forth the rules for same
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER IN COUNCIL MET:
That from and after the passage of this Ordinance:
1. No motor vehicle shall be parked or allowed to remain parked on that portion of the northerly side of Loockerman Street from a point opposite the westerly line of Legislative Avenue to a point at the easterly end of a radius curve designated for entrance to the City of Dover parking lot for a period in excess of fifteen minutes.
2. That the Police Department of the City of Dover are further authorized and empowered to install any and all necessary traffic signs or symbols prescribing the fifteen minute parking regulation provided in Section 1 above, and it is expressly intended that this ordinance shall take effect immediately upon the erection and/or location of said signs and symbols.
3. That any person, firm, association or corporation violating any of the provisions of this ordinance upon conviction thereof shall be fined not less than $2.00 nor more than $5.00 and each day that the offense continues shall constitute a separate offense for which the same penalty shall be provided, and in lieu of payment of said fine said person shall be imprisoned for a period of not in excess of five days.
Passed March 8, 1965
PARKING LOT ENTRANCE
On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council directed that the parking lot entrance just west of the new Post Office be opened immediately to give relief for the parking problem created by the Post Office.
ORDINANCE
An ordinance was presented which would rescind the 15 minutes parking limit at the Old Post Office and provide for the installation of parking meters. The ordinance was tabled until the permanent plan for changes to the Plaza area was completed.
PARKS COMMITTEE
Councilman walls presented a written report of a meeting of the Parks, Playgrounds and Tree Committee held March 1. The report was accepted.
SAFETY COMMITTEE
Councilman Walls presented a written report of a meeting of the Safety Advisory Committee held March 1. The report was accepted.
NO LEFT TURNS
Council discussed an ordinance which banned left turns from Governors Avenue into the Acme parking lot now in effect, and a similar ordinance banning left turns from State Street into the Farmers Bank parking lot not yet presented for passage. The Safety Committee recommends that the latter be withheld until traffic lights are synchronized. Councilman Harris stated that traffic lights effect both lots and both should be treated alike.
Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Biggs, moved that the ordinance prohibiting left turns from Governors Avenue into the Acme parking lot be rescinded. The motion was defeated by vote of 5 to 3 with Messrs. Biggs, Harris and Hayes voting ‘Yes’.
Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Walls, moved that an ordinance be prepared prohibiting left turns from State Street into the Farmers Bank parking lot. The motion was approved by vote of 7 to 1, Mr. Hayes voting ‘no’.
UTILITY COMMITTEE
Mr. Holpp submitted a written report of a meeting of the Utility Committee held March 1. The report was accepted.
LOPER LAND
On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Massey, Council authorized purchase of a parcel of land from Everett Loper for a substation site at a cost of approximately $2196.
PROJECT 27
Bids have been received on Project 27 improvements to Mitscher Road, Bayard Avenue, Greenhill Road and Roosevelt Avenue, from three contractors with the low bid being received from Edgell Construction Company, $68,789.00. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Smith, Council authorized award of the contract to the low bidder, Edgell Construction Company.
Bids were taken on Project 27A, hot mix for the above streets, with only one bidder Delaware Roads, $39,000. On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the bid was tabled.
ATLANTIC REFINING
The Atlantic Refining Company is planning to build a station south of Dover between S. Governors Avenue and the Dual Highway and requests City sewer and water. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Biggs, the request was denied.
TAX APPEALS
A committee of Council was appointed to hear appeals from the City tax assessments on Monday, April 12, 1965, beginning at 2 P.M., with Messrs. Hayes, Walls and Massey appointed on the committee.
CHICKEN FESTIVAL
A letter from the Delmarva Poultry Industry Inc. asked Council whether they would be interested in Dover serving as host to the Annual Delmarva Chicken Festival to be held in June 1966. Council noted that such an affair would require the cooperative efforts of many organizations. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the matter was referred to the Dover Chamber of Commerce for their consideration.
ROSS STREET
A delegation was present to ask Council the present status of Ross Street. They were informed that the City had paid to the Court the sum required to replace curbs and that the developer was the one now required to act to pave the street. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Hayes, the Solicitor was directed to ask the Court to direct the developer to proceed with paving the street.
ZONING AMENDMENT
Councilman Harris referred to the proposed amendment to the Zoning Map which would change the area south of Budd Street between State Street and Kings Highway from RG0 to C-2 use on which action had been deferred. He offered an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance which would provide a new zoning classification which could be applied to the area. The amendment would require a public hearing prior to action by Council:
On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH TIME AND PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND DIRECTING THAT A NOTICE OF SAID HEARING BE PUBLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE DELAWARE CODE.
WHEREAS, Council proposed to amend the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Dover by providing for a new Zoning Classification known as ‘Limited Central Commercial Zone (C-2A), and
WHEREAS, a Public Hearing is required prior to amending the zoning ordinance of the City of Dover,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER IN COUNCIL MET:
1. That a public hearing be held at City Hall at 8:00 P.M. on April 12, 1965 on a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Dover which would provide a new zoning classification, as follows:
Section 3.11 Limited Central Commercial Zone (C-2A)
3.11.1 Uses Permitted. In a Limited Central Commercial Zone (C-2A), 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 the following:
3.11.1.1 All uses permitted in the Neighborhood Commercial C-1A Zone
3.11.1.2 Business, professional, or governmental offices
3.11.1.3 Banks, theaters, and restaurants.
3.11.1.4 Dwelling for two or more families, provided that the entire lot occupied by a multiple dwelling shall be maintained in single ownership throughout the life of the building.
3.11.1.5 Hotels, clubs, and places of worship
3.11.1.6 Signs accessory to an establishment located on the same lot, provided such signs shall be limited as set forth in Sections 3.414 and 5.4.
3.11.2 All permitted uses and all storage accessory thereto; other than off-street parking shall be carried on in buildings fully enclosed on all sides.
3.11.3 Performance Standards. All uses are subject to Performance Standards as set forth in Section 5.51.
3.11.4 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 prior to the issuance of certificates of occupancy for any change of use.
BULK REGULATIONS
Minimum required:
Area
Lot Width (ft.) - -
Lot Depth (ft.) 100
Front Yard (ft.) - -
Side Yard (ft.) Same as C-1
Rear Yard (ft.) for ground floor, but 10 ft. minimum if 20 ft. above ground floor. None required provided.
Side or Rear Year which
adjoin a Residence Zone (ft.) 25
Off-Street Parking Per
300 sq. ft. of Floor Area 1 or 1/DU as in 6.3
Maximum Permitted:
Stories 6
Feet 60
Floor Area Ratio 4.0
2. That notice of the Public Hearing be given in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Code.
Adopted March 8, 1965.
Council adjourned at 9:25 P.M.
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of March 8, 1965 are hereby approved.
Crawford J. Carroll
Mayor
March 9, 1965