REGULAR MEETING
January 28, 1963
The regular meeting of City Council was held Monday, January 28, 1963 at 7:30 P.M. with Mayor Carroll presiding. Councilmen present were Messrs Hayes, Hill, Holpp, Hughes, Mowlds, Turner, Walls and Zartman.
The invocation was said by the Rev. A. T. Adams of Pilgrim Holiness Church.
MINUTES
Minutes of the meeting of January 14, 1963 were accepted and bore the written approval of Mayor Carroll.
MUNICIPAL ELECTION
The officials appointed to conduct the municipal election held January 21, 1963 certified the results of the election to be as follows:
For Councilman: First District: Alfred S. Biggs 422 votes
W. Lyle Mowlds 177 votes
Lester H. Thompson 152 votes
Second District: Douglas L. Harris 379 votes
Paul E. Zartman 373 votes
Third District: Earl D. Smith 546 votes
Fourth District: Victor E. Holpp 546 votes
REFERENDUM
The Judge and two Clerks appointed by Council to conduct the Referendum January 21, 1963 between 2 P.M. and 7 P.M., EST, on the question of issuing $2,500,000 bonds upon the faith and credit of the City of Dover for the construction, improvement, enlargement and extension of sanitary sewers and sewer plants, storm sewers, and the water system of the City of Dover, certified to Council the results of the Referendum to be as follows:
For Bond Issue: 51,525 votes
Against Bond Issue: 7,915 votes
On motion of Mr. Turner, seconded by Mr. Zartman, Council accepted the certification of the election officials.
R-7 ZONING HEARING
City Council desires to amend the zoning ordinance of the City of Dover to provide for a new one-family residence zone known as R-7, and to provide for a public hearing on the proposed amendment.
On motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following resolution:
RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH TIME AND PLACE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE WHICH WOULD PROVIDE FOR A NEW ONE-FAMILY RESIDENCE ZONE KNOWN AS R-7 ZONE.
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the City Council to amend the Zoning Ordinance of City of Dover to provide for a new one-family residence zone to be known as R-7 Zone,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER:
1. That the various applicable sections of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Dover be amended to provide for a new one-family residence zone, known as R-7, with a minimum lot area of 7000 square feet and certain other requirements which are contained in a proposed ordinance which is on file and may be seen in the office of the City Clerk.
2. That a public hearing be held on the proposed amendment at 8:00 P.M., EST, February 25, 1963, in the Council Room at City Hall, and that notice thereof be given in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Code and the requirements of City Council.
Adopted January 28, 1963
BRADFORD STREET ZONING AMENDMENT
Councilman Hayes introduced a proposal to change the zoning map and zoning ordinance of the City of Dover so that property on both sides of South Bradford Street between Reed Street and Loockerman Street would be designated C-2 Commercial rather than RG-1.
On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Walls, Council by unanimous vote adopted the following Resolution:
RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH TIME AND PLACE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF DOVER.
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the City Council to change the zoning map of the City of Dover to rezone both sides of South Bradford Street between Reed and Loockerman Streets from a General Residence Zone, RG-1, to a Commercial Zone, C-2,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER:
1. That a public hearing be held on Monday, February 25, 1963 at 8:15 P.M. in the Council Room at City Hall, on a proposed amendment to the zoning map of the City of Dover which would rezone both sides of South Bradford Street between Reed and Loockerman Streets, to the line of the alley in the rear of each side, from General Residence Zone, RG-1, to Commercial Zone, C-2, and that notice thereof be given in accordance with the provisions of the Delaware Code and the requirements of City Council.
Adopted January 28, 1963.
GRASS AND WEED ORDINANCE
Council considered a proposed ordinance relating to the growth of grass, weeds, shrubbery and hedges within the City of Dover. Certain provisions of the proposed ordinance need to be resolved. On motion of Mr. Hill, seconded by Mr. Zartman, the ordinance was referred back to the committee for review and report back to Council.
DUAL HIGHWAY SCHOOL TRAFFIC
The Dover School Board requested the State Highway Department to reduce the speed limits on the dual highway between the Pine Street bridge and Coopers Corner and to provide a traffic light or crossing guards in the vicinity of Roosevelt Avenue. The request was referred to the City because the area was recently annexed. A survey revealed that there was little or no foot traffic crossing the highway and that the children went to school by bus. There was no apparent need for reducing the speed limit or providing traffic lights or crossing guards, and the survey recommended no changes be made. On motion of Mr. Zartman, seconded by Mr. Hughes, Council accepted the recommendation.
ZONING MAP HEARING
Mayor Carroll declared the public hearing opened on a proposed change to the zoning map of the City of Dover which would rezone the block bounded by William, Clara and New Streets and Governors Avenue from R-8 zone to RG-1 zone. The hearing had been duly advertised. No one appeared to oppose the proposed change in the zoning map.
On motion of Mr. Turner, seconded by Mr. Zartman, Council by unanimous vote passed the following amendment to the zoning ordinance of the City of Dover.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF DOVER AND PROVIDING THAT AN AREA DESIGNATED AS R-8 BE REZONED FOR RG-1 USE.
WHEREAS, the block bounded by William, Clara and New Streets, and Governors Avenue is zoned R-8 and the principal use within the block will be multiple housing conforming to the RG-1 classification, Council deems it necessary to rezone the block to conform the principal use.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER:
1. That the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map of the City of Dover by amended to provide that the block bounded by William Street, Clara Street, New Street, and Governors Avenue be designated a General Residence Zone, RG-1, in place of One-Family Residence Zone, R-8, and that the area designated be subject to the same general regulations and provisions of the Zoning Ordinance now applying to General Residence Zone, RG-1.
Passed January 28, 1963
TRAFFIC
City Manager Ward discussed with Council various recommendations for traffic signs and signals throughout the City, which are being made the subject of a State Highway Department Survey, and the reduction of the speed limit on the Whiteoak Road. He pointed out that most traffic problems are handled by the Chief of Police.
TEMPORARY ROAD HEARING
A public hearing was duly advertised for this date at 8:30 P.M. on a proposal by the City of Dover to open a street known as Bertrand Drive, south from the Hartly Road, and its extension through lands of the Dover Housing Authority Dover Housing Authority has informed the City that the extension of the street thru their land could not be approved by them because the proposed street would run through an area on which a housing development had been planned and that they had entered into certain agreements with the Federal Government which prevented the Authority from agreeing to the proposed street. All who were present were given an opportunity to be heard. No other objections were received. Council discussed the proposed route of the street and considered alternate routes. No satisfactory solution could be reached and on motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Turner, the matter was tabled.
On motion of Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Hill, Council directed that Utility Committee to meet with the State Highway Commission for the purpose of requesting that Department to open a temporary road between the Hartly and Hazlettville Roads.
SEWAGE PLANT
City Manager Ward reported that the work on the primary treatment facilities at the sewage disposal plant would probably be completed in a week or two, and that the plans for secondary treatment expansion will probably be complete about May.
KULJIAN CASE
City Manager Ward reported that a meeting is scheduled between representatives of The Kuljian Corporation and representatives of the City of Dover on February 7 on the McKee Run plant dispute.
McKEE RUN DAMAGE
City Manager Ward reported to Council on the damage to the No. 1 boiler at McKee Run which resulted when an over-accumulation of gas ignited and exploded in the furnace of the boiler causing damage estimated to be in excess of $25,000. It appears probable that the damage is covered by insurance. The cause of the accident had not been determined. The boiler will be repaired and returned to service in about two weeks. The St. Jones plant has been put back in operation until the damaged boiler is back on the line. The accident occurred on January 18. The Councilmen stated their disapproval of the fact that they were not informed of the occurrence until several days later. Two councilmen heard of an accident from the public and visited the plant on the 19th. They found that the employees had been told to give out no information. Mr. Ward stated he had told the employees to be quiet on the subject because of the experience last May when the plant had been overrun by the public following an accident interfering with the necessary repair work. He further pointed out the potential dangers existing in the plant for inexperienced and unguided visitors. He was concerned with the general public and had not thought of withholding information from Councilmen. He apologized for causing embarrassment to them. Council emphasized their desire to be informed promptly of matters with which the are concerned.
OUTGOING COUNCILMEN
The outgoing Councilmen, Zartman after 8 years, Turner after 6 years, and Mowlds after 1 year, spoke of the pleasure of their associations during their terms of service and hoped they had contributed to the welfare of the City. Mayor Carroll expressed the appreciation of the City for their past efforts.
Council adjourned at 10:50 P.M.
F. P. Neylan
City Clerk
All ordinances, orders and resolutions adopted by City Council at its meeting of January 28, 1963 are hereby approved.
January 30, 1963 Crawford J. Carroll Mayor