Re-Zoning Ordinance 25-05 will Eliminate 257.97 Acres of Industrial Park
Proposed Ordinance 25-05 will re-zone 257.97 acres of land near the Delaware airport to allow for the development of privately owned recreation facilities. This property is located north of U.S. Rt. 42 and Sawmill Parkway (new section). This proposed re-zoning eliminates land that has long been understood to be for industrial (light manufacturing/distribution), from which our city will benefit much from the taxes it will raise. At a time when our city economic development and planning departments should be bringing industrial development into this area, they instead are entertaining allowing a privately owned race track and recreation facility to be built on this site. At the February 24th city council many residents of Delaware City and Concord Township expressed their concerns about this proposed re-zoning and development. Most notably the neighbors' concerns were noise created by a race track disrupting the tranquil setting they purchased their property to enjoy. One resident said that his children often ride horses on his property and sudden loud noises from a race track could startle the horse causing them to throw his children causing injury. Two Concord Township Trustees spoke reporting that the Concord Township Trustees voted to recommend to Delaware City Council to reject this development because of the concerns of neighbors and its' inappropriateness for this area. Other residents spoke against this re-zoning and development for the increased amount traffic that will come to the area, mostly 2-lane roads which are already heavily traveled. These concerns alone should cause our city council to reject this application for re-zoning but most importantly this land should be zoned exclusively for industrial development. With all of the failed tax increases council has put to the voters and the recent vote on city council to reject a proposed ordinance to eliminate the income tax credit for residents who work outside of the city limits, shouldn't the efforts to develop this area be reserved for development that will bring relief to our city by increasing the tax revenues from a better source than another commercial development?
Further Delays Voting on Ordinance #24-100 Proposed Elimination of Tax Credits to Delaware Residents Working Outside Delaware City Limits
Delaware City Council once again pushed out the vote on proposed Ordinance #24-100. This ordinance, if passed will eliminate the income tax credit afforded to Delaware residents who work outside the city limits. This ordinance is in response to the failure of the Income Tax increase which failed in November by 68% of the voters in Delaware. This is the same proposed Income Tax increase Council asked for in May of 2024 but also failed by 68%. This ordinance could have been voted on by Council on January 27th (3rd reading) and this past Monday February 10th (4th reading) as a quorum was present for both meetings. The excuse for not voting on this ordinance was that the Council would prefer all Council members be present for the vote. The Mayor was absent for the January 27th meeting and both the Mayor and Vice-Mayor were absent for the February 10th meeting. How many more meetings will it take for everyone to be present?
If you are concerned about your taxes going up without your approval, after saying NO twice in 2024, please plan to attend the February 24th City Council meeting to let City Council know we are still paying attention.
If you cannot make it to the meeting please call or send an email to the following Council members letting them know you are watching and want them to vote NO on Ordinance 24-100 on February 24th.
Carolyn Riggle, Mayor 740-203-1057
Kent Shafer, Vice-Mayor 740-203-1058
Catlin Frazier, At-Large member 740-203-1056
Linsey Griffith, Ward 1 740-203-1052
Adam Haynes, Ward 2 740-203-1053
Cory Hoffman, Ward 3 740-203-1054
Kevin Rider, Ward 4 740-203-1055
Public Hearing for Ordinance #25-06 Addison Properties
A Public Hearing for second reading of the proposed Ordinance #25-06 has been set for the February 24th City Council meeting. The Public Hearing is scheduled for 7:20 PM and the public is invited to attend and encouraged to make comments, express concerns or ask questions about Ordinance #25-06. This Ordinance will re-zone 141.551 acres on Sawmill Parkway southeast of US 42 and Sawmill Parkway from Agriculture with Southwest Overlay to Residential Planned Unit Development. This property is located southeast of US 42 and on the east side of Sawmill Parkway. Proposed use of this development include Single Family Detached and Attached homes, Two or Three Family and Multi-Family Residential. Is this the proper use of this property?
Click on the PDF file to read more and bring your concerns to the February 24 City Council Meeting.
Public Hearing for Ordinance #25-07 Kroger Company
A Public Hearing for second reading of the proposed Ordinance #25-07 has been set for the February 24th City Council meeting. The Public Hearing is scheduled for 7:25 PM and the public is invited to attend and encouraged to make comments, express concerns or ask questions about Ordinance #25-07. This Ordinance will re-zone 17.753 acres on the southeast corner of Glenn Road and Sunbury Road from Community Business District to Commercial Planned Unit Development. This property is located across Glenn Road from Meijer's. Proposed use of this development include, but not limited to Retail Development with a minimum gross floor area of 80,000 square feet or greater. Is this the proper use of this property?
Click on the PDF file to read more and bring your concerns to the February 24 City Council Meeting.
Public Hearing for Ordinance #25-08 Delaware Health Realty LLC
A Public Hearing for second reading of the proposed Ordinance #25-08 has been set for the February 24th City Council meeting. The Public Hearing is scheduled for 7:30 PM and the public is invited to attend and encouraged to make comments, express concerns or ask questions about Ordinance #25-08. This Ordinance will re-zone 14.81 acres on the southwest corner of Glenn Road and Mill Run Crossing from Light Manufacturing to Commercial Planned Unit Development. This property is located behind Meijer's and adjacent to Redwood Apartments. Proposed use of this development include a Nursing Home, Residential Care Facility, Public or Private Park, Place of Religious Assembly, Day Care Center (Child or Adult), Retail, Offices, medical, dental or veterinary (without outside kennel). Is this the proper use of this property?
Click on the PDF file to read more and bring your concerns to the February 24 City Council Meeting.
Public Hearing for Ordinance #25-05 Maridel Development
St. Rt. 42 & Sawmill Parkway
A Public Hearing for second reading of the proposed Ordinance #25-05 has been set for the February 24th City Council meeting. The Public Hearing is scheduled for 7:15 PM and the public is invited to attend and encouraged to make comments, express concerns or ask questions about Ordinance #25-05. This Ordinance will re-zone 257.97 acres on the southwest corner of Sawmill Parkway and US 42 from Agricultural and Light Manufacturing to Commercial Planned Unit Development. This property is adjacent to the airport and is located close to much of Delaware's manufacturing facilities. Should this land be used to increase the tax base by bringing more manufacturing into Delaware relieving the tax burden on Delaware residents? Proposed use of this development include a Race Track, Motels, Hotels, Automotive Sales, Drive-in Theater and Brewery, Distillery (micro).
Click on the PDF file to read more and bring your concerns to the February 24 City Council Meeting
