REGULAR MEETING
December 23, 1963
The Regular Meeting of City Council was held Monday, December 23, 1963 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs. Biggs, Harris, Hayes, Hill, Holpp, Hughes, Smith and Walls.
MINUTES
After correcting the word ‘two’ to the word ‘town’, minutes of the meeting of December 9, 1963 were accepted and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
FIRE MARSHAL AND BUILDING INSPECTOR
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Walls, Jack Roe was appointed Fire Marshal and Building Inspector for the year 1964.
CITY ASSESSOR
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Smith, Thomas Baker was appointed City Assessor for the year 1964.
PARKS REPORT
A written report of the activities of the Parks, Recreation and Tree Department of the City of Dover for the past year was submitted to Council by Mr. Walls, Chairman of the Committee, and was accepted.
LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Councilman Hayes submitted a written report of a meeting of the committee on Legislation and Finance held on December 16. The Report was accepted.
The committee had discussed the redevelopment of North Street and the plan of the State Highway Department relating to it. On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Smith, Council directed that a letter from the Mayor be sent the State Highway Department asking what their plan is for the improvement of North Street.
SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
The committee of Council appointed to review the land subdivision regulations of the City submitted a written report of a meeting held on December 18. The report contained some recommended changes in the regulations which will probably be included in the final report which will be submitted when the committee has completed its study. Council accepted the report.
CHICKEN FESTIVAL
Mayor Carroll received a questionnaire from Delmarva Poultry Industry Inc. asking whether the City of Dover would be interested in hosting the 18th Annual Delmarva Chicken Festival which will be held in June 1965. The 1964 Festival will be held in Easton, Maryland. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Hayes, Council authorized an affirmative answer to the questionnaire.
RICHARDSON SITE ZONING
The owners of the former Hotel Richardson property at King and State Streets asked that the plot be rezoned from RG0 to C-2 use. The request has been duly advertised for hearing at 8 P.M. December 23. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing open. No one appeared to oppose the rezoning. Max Terry, Attorney for the owners was present and stated that there was no plan for construction on the site and that his client believed it would be a more desirable and marketable property if it were zoned for C-2 use. The owner is a subsidiary of the Wilmington Trust Co.
Mr. Holpp, seconded by Mr. Smith, moved for the following amendment to the Zoning Map and Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Hughes pointed out that he was the State Banking Commissioner and asked to be excused from voting because of a possible conflict of interest. Council approved the amendment by vote of 7 to 0, with Mr. Hughes not voting.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP AND ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DOVER BY CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION TO C-2 OF A PLOT WHICH INCLUDES THE FORMER HOTEL RICHARDSON SITE.
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 uses from RG0 to C-2 in a plot which includes the former Hotel Richardson site,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER:
1. 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 of the following described area from RG0 zone to C-2 Zone.
All that certain lot, piece or parcel of land lying just north of the intersection of Kings Highway and South State Street immediately north of the crossover separating the lands to be rezoned from the memorial plot, being bounded on the north by lands of William E. and Pauline C. Hallett, and including the lands of the former Richardson Hotel property.
Passed December 23, 1963
B & B MOTORS BUILDING
B & B Motors requested permission to locate a frame building approximately 8'x8'x9' on their business property at Loockerman Street and U.S. Route #13. A public hearing on the request was duly advertised for this date. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing opened. No one appeared to speak for or against the request. Building Inspector Roe pointed out that the request was to install a frame building on leased ground. The building did not conform in type to any other in the area and he did not think it desirable. On motion of Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council by unanimous vote denied the request.
BUS CENTER ZONING
A request was received from the Dover Travel Centre for rezoning from R-20 to Highway Commerce, C-4 of approximately 5.7 acres located on the west side of U.S. Route 113, below the South Little Creek Road. The request was duly advertised for hearing this date. Mayor Carroll declared the hearing open. Mr. Mack and Mr. & Mrs. Davis, nearby property owners were present at the hearing, as was Mr. Prettyman Willey, representative for the Travel Centre. Mr. & Mrs. Davis stated they understood the bus center would also include a dance hall and bar to which they objected. Mr. Willey sated that his company would be willing to buy nearby property from those who objected to the bus center. It was pointed out that the property of those present who objected to the rezoning was already zoned for Highway Commerce use, that the hearing at this time was only concerned with rezoning, and that actual construction and use of the land was subject to review and approval by the Planning Commission. A drawing showing the site proposed for rezoning was presented for all interested parties to see.
On motion of Mr. Biggs, seconded by Mr. Hughes, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following amendment to the Zoning Map and Zoning Ordinance of the City of Dover:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP AND ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DOVER BY CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION TO HIGHWAY COMMERCE, C-4, AN AREA LOCATED WEST OF U.S. ROUTE #113.
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 uses from R-2 to C-4 in an area of approximately 5.7 acres located west of U.S. Route 113,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER:
1. 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 of the following described area from R-20 zone to Highway Commerce, C-4 zone.
All that area containing approximately 5.7 acres bounded on the east by U.S. Route 113, on the south by a projected extension of Water Street, on the west by Martin Street, and on the north by the present C-4 Zone adjoining Court Street.
Passed December 23, 1963.
HOLIDAY INN
Jack Price, owner of a plot of land included in an area between U.S. Route 13 and Silver Lake, recently annexed to the City, requested that his land be rezoned from R-20 to Highway Commerce, C-4, use, and asked under what conditions it would be possible to have City sewer and water extended to the plot. He stated he will need these utilities by April 1, 1964. Council discussed both requests. On the matter of sewer and water, it is not possible for the City to extend these utilities by that date because of lack of funds. On motion of Mr. Harris, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council authorized the applicant to extend the lines at his own expense, provided it is done according to City specifications.
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Harris, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following Resolution providing for a public hearing on the rezoning request to be held on January 27, 1964.
RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH TIME AND PLACE OF 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 located west of U.S. Route 13 and east of Silver Lake are presently zoned for residential use, R-20, and
WHEREAS, a request was submitted to change the zone designation from R-20 to Highway Commerce Zone, C-4, and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to hold a public hearing prior to amending the Zoning Ordinance or Zoning Map.
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 January 27, 1964 on a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map of the City of Dover which would rezone from R-20 to c-4 use the following described area in the City of Dover:
All that area bounded on the east by U.S. Route #13 for a distance of approximately 350 feet, on the south by lands of Louis Edgell, on the north by lands of D.F.D. Inc., and on the west by Silver Lake.
2. That notice of the public hearing be given in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Code.
Adopted December 23, 1963.
ELECTRIC STUDY
City Manager Ward reported he had received word from Mr. Henry Kahkonen of Harriman, Ripley & Co. that the study of the electric plant and possible refinancing of the 1960 Electric Revenue Bonds is now being made.
Council adjourned at 8:50 P.M.
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of December 23, 1963 are hereby approved.
Crawford J. Carroll
Mayor
December 26, 1963