On Monday night, during its second monthly teleconference meeting, the Delmar Commission (Md.) granted final site plan approval to Station Crossing Commons.
Michael Sullivan represented the developer, who was looking for the Commission to approve the plan after the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission gave a favorable recommendation during its April meeting. The project is similar to a comprehensive development plan presented to the town in 2018, with one addition. The development must have frontage on a public street.
Mayor Karen Wells asked what the change from a private drive to a public street would mean. Sullivan said the road would be wider.
Commissioner Jack Lenox asked if the addition to the plan would change the town’s obligations. The town and the developer would need a public works agreement to spell out who would be responsible for the maintenance of the roadway and its cost.
Town Manager Sara Bynum-King said the town would need to provide services such as snow removal, street lighting, and road repaving/patching. The developer is subdividing a 40 plus acre parcel for the development of apartments. As a result, it must have frontage on a public roadway, which was not part of the original plan.
“Generally if it’s a town road it’s a town responsibility,” said Lenox.
Sullivan said the developer will take on maintenance responsibilities of the road in the future.
Commissioner Lloyd Unsell asked what impact the development would have on the town’s schools. A report that the developers had commissioned indicated that about 45 students would be generated by the apartment complex. The site’s previous development (Pheasant Lake), which included 124 single family units and 124 townhouses, was projected to generate 133 students.
The Commission voted 5-0 to grant final site plan approval, accepting Planning and Zoning’s favorable recommendation, with the stipulations that the development adheres to the forest conservation act, that the project is approved by the town’s engineering firm, and that there is a public works agreement between the town and the developer.
In other business, Bynum-King reported that the caboose restoration project started last Tuesday and should be finished by the summer. The Commission and the Delmar Council (Del.) are sharing the cost of the restoration.
No decision has been made about whether the town’s Heritage Day will take place in the fall. Bynum-King said there is a chance the coronavirus may return in the fall. Major fundraising for the festival have not occurred, which would limit what can be done this year if it takes place. The town is set to fund the annual fireworks show.
Delmar was scheduled to help Wicomico County host the 2020 USSA softball tournament July 15 through Aug. 1, but at this point the town’s parks can not host groups of more than 10 people.
Police Chief Ivan Barkley announced that the department is cancelling its annual Blue Light Night in State Street Park. Barkley said the event relies on donations from the community and businesses and that fundraising efforts have usually started by now but have not because area businesses are struggling right now. He also cited safety concerns due to the coronavirus.
Barkley reported that domestic incidents are up slightly this month. He said the department is good on gloves, masks, hand sanitizer, and other PPP equipment.
The chief reported that there was an armed robbery at the motel by Rite Aid. The incident occurred during a gathering at the motel.
There was also a burglary at Wawa last Monday. The store was closed for cleaning when a suspect broke the glass on the first set of doors. The suspect fled on foot before being arrested by the Delaware State Police. The suspect, who was wanted in connection to another burglary which happened the day before in Seaford, was later released before being rearrested in connection to four additional burglaries in New Castle County.
The Commission was updated on an accident that occurred on April 29 at the town’s wastewater treatment plant. One of the operators had chemicals get in his eye following a leak that occurred during the transfer of chemicals. The operator had 70 percent of his cornea burned as a result of the accident and is in danger of losing his eye depending on how it heals.
A Joint Council public hearing to discuss the FY budget will take place next Monday at 6:30 p.m. Visit the town’s website to see how to be a part of this teleconference.
