REGULAR MEETING
January 25, 1965
The Regular Meeting of City Council was held Monday, January 25, 1965 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs. Biggs, Harris, Hayes, Holpp, Hughes, Massey, Smith and Walls.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of January 11, 1965 were accepted and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
MUNICIPAL ELECTION
The Election Officials appointed to conduct the Municipal Election, held on January 18, 1965 between the hours of 1 P.M. and 7 P.M., certified the result of the election to be as follows:
For Councilman: First District: Alfred S. Biggs 560 Votes
Second District: Douglas L. Harris 551 Votes
Third District: Earl D. Smith 542 Votes
Fourth District: Benjamin E. Freeman 221 Votes
Victor E. Holpp 533 Votes
On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Smith, the certification was accepted.
BOND REFERENDUM
The Judge and Clerks appointed to conduct the referendum on the question of issuing $2,000,000 General Obligation bonds of the City of Dover for general improvements, held on January 18, 1965 between the hours of 2 P.M. and 7 P.M., certified the result of to be as follows:
For Bond Issue 38,748 Votes
Against Bond Issue 13,996 Votes
On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Walls, the certification was accepted.
IMPROVEMENT SCHEDULE
A tentative schedule was submitted to City Council of a portion of the improvements to be made with bond funds authorized by the referendum of January 18, 1965. On motion of Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Massey, the schedule was referred to the Utility Committee for review.
DOVER SPCA
The Dover SPCA requested a yearly appropriation of $3500 from the City to defray the cost of operating the dog pound recently taken over by that group. On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Holpp, the request was referred to the Legislative and Finance Committee.
SAFETY PROGRAM
Chief of Police Turner reported that through the cooperation of the Delaware Safety Council a driver’s examination will be given to officials and employees of the City of Dover beginning January 26, 1965. Each test will last from 1½ to 2 hours and will be given first to the Mayor and Chief of Police. Tests will be scheduled as the examiners are available and are open to the Councilmen. It is hoped that the program will make all Dover safety conscious.
LAND DEVELOPMENTS
Mayor Carroll spoke of land developments which have been proposed in and around Dover and the need for Dover to consider future annexations and the expansion of utilities. All committees of Council will study the problem to help decide in which direction the City will go.
D & F REZONING
D & F Builders, Inc. requested Council to rezone from R-20 to R-8 use an area containing approximately 13 acres located in the Agnes G. Willey tract between U.S. Route 13 and U.S. Route 113. A public hearing is required prior to any change in the zoning ordinance or zoning map.
On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Smith, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following resolution; and asked a recommendation from the Planning Commission.
A RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH TIME AND PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING MAP AND DIRECTING THAT A NOTICE OF SAID HEARING BE PUBLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE DELAWARE CODE.
WHEREAS, certain lands in the Agnes G. Willey tract east of U.S. Route #13 containing approximately 13 acres are presently zoned for R-20 use, and
WHEREAS, a request has been received to change the zone designation from R-20 to R-8, use, and
WHEREAS, a public hearing is required prior to amending the Zoning Ordinance or Zoning Map 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 February 22, 1965 on a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance and zoning map of the City of Dover which would change from R-20 to R-8 use that area of approximately 13 acres located in the Agnes G. Willey tract between U.S. Route 13 and U.S. Route 113 bounded on the north by lands of Food Fair Corporation, on the east and south by other lands now or formerly of Agnes G. Willey and on the west by a proposed extension of River Road which is east of a development known as ‘The Beeches’.
2. That notice of the public hearing be given in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Code.
Adopted January 25, 1965.
VOTER REGISTRATION
Councilman Harris pointed out that the City Charter authorized the City Council to require voter registration for municipal elections and expressed his belief that such a requirement is desirable. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council directed that the Legislative & Finance Committee study the situation and submit its recommendation to Council on whether or not voter registration should be required. Mr. Smith did not vote.
RICHARDSON ZONING
A public hearing has been duly advertised for this date on a request to rezone the W.W. Richardson property on Budd Street between State Street and Kings Highway from RG0 to C1-A. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing open. John Snyder, attorney for Richardson, stated that his client had requested the rezoning and had since become aware that adjoining property owners in the block are requesting rezoning from RG0 to C-2. He understood that C-2 was less restrictive than C1-A zoning and stated that his client would be satisfied with either change. The Planning Commission has recommended denial of C1-A zoning and approval of C-2 zoning. No one else was present to speak at the hearing. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing closed. On motion of Mr. Walls, seconded by Mr. Harris, Council by unanimous vote denied the request for C1-A zoning.
EMMERT ZONING
Lockwood Emmert and other property owners in the block requested Council to rezone from RG0 to C-2 use an area bounded on the north by Budd Street, on the west by State Street, on the east by Kings Highway and on the south by lands now or formerly of Wilmington Trust Company, presently zoned for C-2 use. A public hearing is required prior to any change in the zoning ordinance or zoning map.
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Massey, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following resolution; and asked a recommendation from the Planning Commission.
A RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH TIME AND PLACE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING MAP AND DIRECTING THAT A NOTICE OF SAID HEARING BY PUBLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE DELAWARE CODE.
WHEREAS, certain lands in the City of Dover bounded by Budd Street, State Street and Kings Highway are presently zoned for RG0 use, and
WHEREAS, a request has been received to change the zone designation from RG0 to C-2 use, and
WHEREAS, a public hearing is required prior to amending the Zoning Ordinance or Zoning Map 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 on 8:15 P.M. on February 22, 1965 on a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance and zoning map of the City of Dover which would change from RG0 to C-2 Commercial use that area bounded on the north by Budd Street, on the west by State Street, on the east by Kings Highway, and on the south by lands now or formerly of Wilmington Trust Company presently zoned from C-2 use.
2. That notice of the public hearing be given in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Code.
Adopted January 25, 1965.
RAILROAD SCHEDULE
A petition by the Pennsylvania Railroad to the Public Service Commission to discontinue passenger rail service in Delaware south of Wilmington was denied. The Commission suggested that the Railroad reschedule its present service and has informally asked Council what hours it would recommend. On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council recommended that the schedule be set so that the northbound train leaves Dover at 8:30 A.M. and the southbound train arrives in Dover at 5:30 P.M.
TORBERT ZONING
A public hearing has been duly advertised for this date on a request to rezone eight lots on the west side of Spruance Road from R-8 to RG-2 use. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing open. William Torbert requested the rezoning because he proposed to erect apartment units in the area. A written petition signed by eight property owners immediately adjoining the area proposed for rezoning objected to the proposed change stating it would depreciate the value of their property, that they built their homes in single family residence zone and objected to changed conditions which apartments would create. Councilman Massey asked whether action could be tabled until Mr. Torbert showed the petitioners what he proposed to build. Mr. Torbert stated he had shown a sketch to some of the petitioners and did not feel that further discussion with them was necessary. The Planning Commission has recommended that the rezoning be approved. No other testimony being offered, Mayor Carroll declared the hearing closed.
On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Holpp, Council by unanimous vote denied the request to rezone the lots from R-8 to RG-2.
PROJECTOR
Councilman Hughes asked about the status of the projector which Council authorized the City Manager to purchase. Mr. Ward stated he would have a projector for approval of Council in a short time.
INFORMAL MEETING
Mayor Carroll and the Council decided that the informal dinner meeting preceding the annual organizational meeting would be held at the Dinner Bell on February 5.
Council adjourned at 9:00 P.M.
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of January 25, 1965 are hereby approved.
Crawford J. Carroll
Mayor
January 27, 1965