The city of Seaford held a public hearing last week on the new subdivision, South Dolby LLC, which includes 169 lots. The 51 acres of farmland off Old Furnace Road and north of Seaford is owned by Dolby South, Inc.

Hearns Crossing. The request was to rezone to R-2 with a minimum lot size of 4,500 square feet and an entrance to the subdivision off of Old Furnace Road. Vice Mayor Dan Henderson inquired about a pedestrian crossing discussed at a previous council hearing, and the consensus was that it was a DelDOT requirement. Planning and Zoning voted in favor of the final site plan.

The council approved it unanimously.

Randall Larrimore, who has been a major benefactor to the Oyster House Park since 2018, came before council with a plan for the park’s amphitheater. Larrimore, who plans to pay for the landscape architect’s plans, showed council a rendering of a planned amphitheater, grassy area, and landscaping. The theatre will be on Conwell Street between where the Oyster House Park once operated and will include grass slopes and open lawn in front of the slope. Paths and walkways will be installed for multiple uses. Larrimore said the original vision gives the city a “usable attractive public space on the Nanticoke Riverfront.”

The city sewer located on the property must be moved, but these plans will allow beautification of the land and plantings to be easily moved when the sewer is moved.

The design cost is approximately $25,000

and Larrimore said, “I would like to get approval to use the funds that I’ve already donated to hire a landscape architect to see what they might suggest we could do with the oyster park.” For the project, Larrimore said he would like to use $150,000 donated by the Freeman Foundation, and then offered to add a personal donation of $150,000 to the project if the city agrees to match it.

“I am willing to do that because I just enjoyed growing here, my family has had a long history in Seaford, and I’d like to leave something behind for generations to come,” he said.

City Manager Charles Anderson said he has contacted the city-contracted engineering firm for the sewer location project, which is George, Miles, Buhr (GMB), and if council approves the request, will proceed with plan requests of Larrimore. Anderson noted the sewer location is out for bid.

Henderson said, “The sequence of construction is obviously that is the lowest structure, and we can’t do anything before that gets down.”

“I just want to say thank you for everything that you’ve done. I look forward to possibly seeing a nice amphitheater down there where we can have some entertainment on the riverfront,” said Councilman Alan Quillen.

Larrimore agreed and added, “The Freeman Foundation wants to bring their contributions to the youth of Sussex County and could hold concerts at that amphitheater for the young and the old.”

Councilman Mike Bradley thanked Larrimore for his contributions and said, “I am a downtown resident, so I firsthand see all the progress.” Council approved the request unanimously.

Council also approved a request for an extension to December 2028 for the Seaford Business Park located on North Market Street Extended. The reason for the extension is to market and develop the property owned by Balsamo Real Estate, LLC.

A resolution was presented to provide Seaford City water main connection to INVISTA plant, located at 25876 DuPont Road. The city would agree to enter into an easement on the city-owned golf course property for the water main connection. Kevin Mastaw, environmental engineer with INVISTA, as well Ray Baker, project manager, were present at the meeting. Anderson confirmed, “This would be an interconnection to a facility that is not annexed.”

The connection located on Sussex Avenue, interconnection at the little boardwalk at the corner of Sussex and Harrington, across Harrington Street onto the plant property and be serviced for domestic purposes use only. The city will install a meter, INVISTA will pay the impact fee, the rate will be for out-of-town service, and because a corner of the golf course driving range is involved, there will be coordination with the golf pro to make time to accommodate and meet safety precautions. Councilman Quillen inquired, “About how many gallons per day will go through the plant?” and site engineer Ray Baker answered that 7,200 gallons per day on average. The request was approved through a motion and vote.

The Sussex County Association of Towns Dinner was on Nov. 4 in Ocean View. The Seaford Volunteer Fire Department’s 125 years of service open house is on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.