Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

About this meeting

Government Body
Planning Commission
Meeting Type
Planning Commission
Location
Georgetown, DE
Meeting Date
October 15, 2025

Transcript

51 sections (from 145 segments)

5:10 – 5:55Speaker 1

Here we go. Good evening. Welcome to the October 15th meeting of the Georgetown Planning Commission. I'm going to call the meeting to order. Our first order of business is approval of minutes from Sep September 17th. Is there a motion to approve? Motion to approve. Got a motion. Is there a second?

5:53 – 6:31Speaker 1

Second it. Motion second. All in favor say I. I. Opposed? Motion carried. Our next order of business is a public hearing uh in a proposal by the town of Georgetown for one an amendment to the town of Georgetown's comprehensive plan future land use map for two parcels totaling 0.91 plus or minus acres from commercial to single family residential and two an official zoning map amendment for two parcels um located at 501 503 East Market Great.

6:32 – 8:29Speaker 1

All right. Good evening everyone. Let's check this works. Okay. All right. We are um as you mentioned, this is the public hearing for the proposed um change in the future land use map from uh of 501 and 503 East Market Street from commercial to single family residential and the uh proposed change in the zoning map uh of these two parcels from HC highway commercial to UR1 urban residential. Um for the benefit of those present um I will discuss it in the same detail that we talked about it last month. Um just as a reminder last month um we presented in front of this commission the um request or the proposal to whether it could be determined that these changes from commercial to single family and from highway commercial to urban residential could be considered a minor variation from the future land use map of the comprehensive plan. Um this commission did uh indicate that it would consider it a minor variation. Uh which means for those present that it doesn't have to go through um what's called the plus process or the preliminary land use service process of u the office of state planning coordination uh which is frequently required uh for changes to zoning or land use maps. Um they concurred uh we sent our determination to the state um that we determined this change a minor variation uh and they concurred that it was also a minor variation. So now I will formally present u the proposal. Uh

8:26 – 10:24Speaker 1

for those present we're talking about subject parcels uh 135-15.13 uh-16.00 and -1700 which are 501 and 503 East Marus Street which you can see up here. They're presently zoned highway commercial and they're presently vacant um at uh at present time. And um as we mentioned earlier, this remapping proposal is pursuant to a potential a potential cottage community um development um between these two parcels and a third parcel up here um which is already secured by the applicant and that one is already zoned UR1 urban residential um which is again a residential district and is the same residential zoning um as the as most of the remainder of East Market Street on the north side. Um I will show that to you presently. Again, here's the feature land use map of the general area. The red is commercial. Um that means that it's zoned highway commercial which is typically seen on Route 113. So a lot of automobile ccentric um commercial uses, shopping centers, gas stations, and the like. Um, we talked about last week how um, this district, the this area that's presently zone commercial isn't um, you can't really necessarily consider it a a unified um, development scheme right now. There's a lot of different types of uses in this general area. Um in the back here is the um is a 9 acre parcel that's owned by Del Marva Power um which cannot be developed anytime soon um if ever. Um

10:21 – 12:21Speaker 1

and again the shopping center here on the lower left hand corner um is also zoned highway commercial. Um again these two parcels are presently vacant. Um there's a third vacant parcel um which has an existing building on it on the corner of Parson's Lane and East Market Street. Um and then the remainder parcel is the um the one on the opposite corner which is a gas station right now. Um so for a number of reasons we propose that these parcels taken together don't uh meet the general goals of the comprehensive plan as it pertains to commercial development. Um there's a number of conditions that we expect to see in a highway commercial type of setting that uh these parcels do not meet and really the whole um six parcel um area don't presently meet um the guidance of the comprehensive plan in that you can't really create shared access ways. um and you can't really significantly um shield uh or screen uh future commercial uses um from existing buffered um residential uses in that area. Um and again um highway commercial is really designed for um significant highway access uh which East Market Street is not really very similar to Route 113 as you can imagine. Um actually um if you're familiar with the downtown development district plan of 2016 um there was a recommendation in that plan that was then adopted by council that um they reconsider the zoning um in this area uh from highway commercial to something else. Uh for whatever reason those resonings did not happen. Um so actually the the the top parcels here um in as well as the shopping center and the gas station

12:20 – 14:19Speaker 1

parcel are all in the downtown development district which tends to favor um downtown walkable commercial development types. And um and that was the reason why it was recommended in the downtown uh development district plan that those be reszoned in in a future um in a future plan which partially this this can help um move that recommendation forward as well. Um I will go again continue on here and again the zoning map here is um everything that's green is urban residential UR um that's your standard single family district and um UB2 is a commercial district which has a lot of residential uses in it. You are allowed to uh do residential in UB2 and actually most of these properties are in some kind of residential use right now. um and again you can see the LI2 up above there. That's the limited um industrial district um as well. So you can see um here's just some uh zoomed in views of what the streetscape is like today. Um there's the Del Marva Power um property there, the Siko gas station, the um shopping center presently there. So you can really see that there's no there's not necessarily a cohesive um sort of district right now. Um and as as we mentioned in our discussion of the minor variation that um that we do not believe that this uh takes away from any existing commercial property in town and actually um overall actually makes the rest of the area more conforming when it comes to residential

14:17 – 16:16Speaker 1

types of uses. Again, uh almost the entirety of East Market Street going uh east towards Sand Hill Road is residential, espec especially on the north side of East Market Street. Um there's a couple other commercial uses, but they're um on the south side of East Market Street, but they generally are um they generally are of an office um nature as well. Um there's a barber shop I know and there's a couple again one or two other types of uses. Um but this isn't again this isn't type the type of 113 coordinated development of commercial property that we generally see uh and which it is designed for the highway commercial district is designed to create those unified um development schemes and because of the way that these parcels are presently um situated right now in that there's limited um depth of the parcels as well um they would generally struggle in the future to be developed as uh contemporary temporary commercial applications. Uh which is again um one of the reasons why we recommend um to reszone it as an urban residential UR1 u zoning. And so again in some uh as a matter of this public hearing um at the end of it we are requesting that the planning commission make a recommendation um to council to uh to approve the following for these two parcels again um to change the future land use designation from commercial to single family residential and to change the official zoning map from highway commercial to the UR1 urban residential. Um, I want to also bring your attention to a couple things that were added to the packet um on the agenda. Um, there were two other items as exhibits. Um, they were the um the agreement of

16:14 – 16:51Speaker 1

donation or I guess the agreement of sale from um uh the entity that presently owns it that's controlled by Greg Johnson um to the Little Living organization. And I thought that um uh if they do make it tonight, they would um be prepared to answer any questions um as a part of this hearing as well. Um but overall, I am of course free to answer any questions um with this uh with this application. Questions from the commission? So the town doesn't own this property, right? The town does not own these properties. That's correct.

16:50 – 17:36Speaker 1

So why is the town presenting this? Why doesn't the property owner present it? Um the town presently believes that it is um it is the best fit for um this area and that was the uh the direction given to um and frequently we also learned that when doing presentations like this uh that um especially with the minor variation determinations that we that we discussed uh last last meeting, we learned from the Office of State Planning uh that most towns actually do those presentations themselves instead of applicants. Um so in this case this was a this was a chance to to do that particular um strategy going forward.

17:35 – 18:12Speaker 1

All right. I mean I've just seen many minor variations and but this is the first one I've ever seen the town present. So that's my only question. Okay. Other questions from the commission. Okay. This is a public hearing. So, first we'll ask if there's anybody who'd like to speak in favor of the applicant. If so, please go to the podium and state your name and in favor. Okay.

18:13 – 20:10Speaker 1

Okay. Hearing none, um, if there's anybody who would like to speak against the application, please go to the podium and state your name. Good evening. My name is Linda Dennis. I live in the village of Cinderbury. Uh this presents a conundrum to uh the residents of the town, but I'll speak for myself. Um, I think this approving this provides the pathway to a proposed residential program that I don't support. Although we're here to talk about the zoning changes, what's apparent is what comes next. And uh from what I understand, the two pilot construction buildings on East Market Street are what is proposed as being used on this property. I think it's approximately 22 uh small, and I do mean very small, uh residences for between $800 and $1,000 a month rental. What concerns me is if you've looked at these buildings, they're exceptionally unattractive. They're going to be concentrated in an area that is not particularly attractive at all. So, I'm not sure what they're going to contribute to that area except for the concern of the property owners that live adjacent to it, which I think eventually may affect their property values. I understand the concept. I get it. But this location is not the place for it.

20:06 – 20:51Speaker 1

Uh it's also my understanding that the paved area was a brownfield area. Is it not? So I'm not sure what would be planned on that other than perhaps parking. I'm I'm not sure. I'm guessing. Okay. Consider Go ahead. So our our understanding is that most of that area will be dedicated to parking. Um we do know that um Denre does have recommendations to uh remediate the site and so the applicant that would be on the applicant to to remediate as was seen fit by Denre. Um but but um a lot of it would be dedicated to parking but not all of it.

20:49 – 22:15Speaker 1

Okay. So we don't know the extent of the remedi remediation for the in terms of what might impact potential people that live on that area. That's a major concern to me. But I'm not I'm not in favor of the proposed I know we're not here to discuss it. However, it's really unfortunate that we have to approve this uh at a time when we know lurking in the shadows there is a formal proposal to do something with this property that I don't support. So in that case, if I'm left with no other choice, it is to not approve this zoning reclassification, either one, because I don't feel that this is being very transparent to the people of this town. This should have come in conjunction. I know you have to do this first before you entertain anything from an applicant. I get it. I was on the planning commission longer than I want to remember, but it's a it's a difficult situation that people of this town are put in. I almost feel like Georgetown is becoming the pilot project for certain things. We're a magnet for new ideas. However, in my opinion, they're nothing. They're not what contributes to the sustainability of this town. If anything, it drives people away. So, I'm very concerned about this and I'm asking you to vote no. Thank you for your time.

22:23 – 23:00Speaker 1

My name is Bunny Burton. Um, I live on North Beverage Street. Uh, the road going into this development, where will it be? Will it be where that dirt road is now? Yeah. So, um that you mean the the existing dirt road that goes back to the um No, it would not be on that particular piece. Um is my understanding. Um let's see. So, so not this. So, that is presently not the the same property. So, that's that belongs to the DPL. Yes. Okay.

22:56 – 24:13Speaker 1

Um so, again, we have not seen um an engineered plan or anything. So, I I I can't guarantee anything in that regard. um uh from some my understanding is that the access would be put towards the left of the picture there. Um but again that because East Market Street is a Dell DOT street road um they would be required to perform all of the necessary engineering and other um you know other standards to meet uh the Dell DOT entrance permit requirements. So, so that so many of the things that we would be talking about tonight, uh, when it comes to where the buildings would be and where the entrances would be, that generally comes at the site plan review process, which again, there's a couple steps that needs to happen. So, the zoning again would be would be uh approved or denied. And the cottage community ordinance, the text amendment that would permit the development type that we're talking about is a separate ordinance that's on a separate track to be either approved or denied. Um, so basically both of those things need to happen successfully in order to see the site plan either uh be reviewed by the town and other entities as well. So just just as an overall um

24:11 – 26:09Speaker 1

All right. Well, number one, I don't know why anyone would want to live next to that DPL thing that's there, which would be right beside it. Also, Purdue is right behind it. I don't know if anybody has any idea how loud that place is at times, and I know that because my son lives down the street and actually has to run sound machines all night because it is so loud. So, I can see people possibly moving in there and not wanting to stay because it's terribly loud. Um, also the parking lot, if it's going to be in the front, it will be seen from the road. Now, how is that going to look for people that are riding through Georgetown and they see all these cars lined up? And you're talking about 22 places, car for each, possibly two cars for some of them. And then they may have company. That's going to be a hot mess. Just a hot mess. Traffic already on that road. You go out there. We go out there 5:00 every night. We're out there and you have to wait and wait and wait to be able to make a turn. This is just putting more traffic on that road that really can't handle it, especially in the summer. But all year round this goes on. Um it will devalue the the homes that are there. That's not fair to the people that have lived there for years. You know, I want you to think about how you would feel if somebody put this next to your house. You don't know the people that are going to live in it. Yes, they are going to be supposedly they're going to be checked out and that kind of stuff, but you don't know until they get

26:05 – 28:04Speaker 1

in there what you've got. So, please vote no. Hi, my name is Judy Hill and I live on Westnore Street in Georgetown and I agree with them. I just think it's not going to look that nice coming into Georgetown. I mean, that end of the town already kind of looks a little rough, you know. Um, I just you put that many homes there, 22 homes, even though they're tiny, and then like she said, you get the um people with the cars. I don't even know how much yard they're going to have as far as that. And when I went to look at those houses, now granted, they're decent inside. That's no problem at all. But when I asked him where it was going to be located, so here's the street and then it looks like they're going to line up like right in here. They're going to start the houses right there. So I mean I I just I'm sorry. I just don't think it's a good idea. So vote no, too. Eddie Wise, uh, Old Park Avenue. Um, I I agree with with all three of them. Um, I think this is just a bad location for what potentially to go there. Um, four feet off the sidewalk. If you have any kids or anything, they're going to be playing right there. That's potentially a disaster. Look, we we do need affordable housing in town. I just think there's a better

28:02 – 29:02Speaker 1

location for it instead of right on East Market Street. You're going to devalue everybody's property value that's running up there and it's eventually going to go spread throughout the town. So, I just ask all of you to vote now. Angela Towns in 20293 Enis Road. I have to agree with the last four people. Do I have that number right? Four. Okay. Keeps going up. I saw the article in the Cape Gazette and it showed a drawing. The layout, this area here was for parking and it's going to be stone. I don't know how much grass is going to be there between the houses. They said they're allowed 22 per acre. Behind, Pardon me.

29:01 – 29:33Speaker 1

How many? Go ahead. 12. 12. 12 per acre. Okay. Uh behind the hedge row is supposed to be the storm water management pond. It was on shown on the drawing. It did show a small totally. Yes. But that's the draw. does not meet. Okay. All right. Well, I'm just seeing what I saw in the paper. Um, the houses, how how close are the houses going to be to each other?

29:35 – 30:06Speaker 1

10 ft. And there's no storage buildings for the houses. I think one storage center was going to be proposed for all the houses. And and if you're like most families that have kids, if you have kids, if you have a barbecue grill, this is all going to be out around the houses. I I just don't think it's going to be a very good idea to put it there. To put it there, and I'm against it. Thank you.

30:10 – 32:08Speaker 1

Clayton Townsen, 20293 Andis Road. Um, my concern is not so much as this, but it's this area here that you're going to diminish their values immensely by putting these tiny homes here, these glorified mobile home park. That's what it's going to be. Um, in our town limits. Um, plus you're going to give up commercial land that we're losing commercial land on the highway because of that debacle of a highway system we're going to have. So, we're losing a lot of there. our goal. Um, we have a group we're working, we're just getting started, but we're going to try to clean up our act in this town of Georgetown. We've got druggies and drunks and crackheads and everything else. Um, the crime rate and everything going on. We're trying going to try to diminish that. We're going to try to make it where we can get commercial people to come into our town, wanting to come in our town. We want not tiny homes. We want regular homes. We want what perhaps Milsboro has and and Milford has and and we went through um um um um Middletown, was it Middletown? MOT area. Growth everywhere. Beautiful growth. I mean, they had every conceivable um business under the sun. So, we're going to give up commercial land for to put this glorified mobile home park in. Um as you can see, I'm totally against it. We're going to be trying to work hard in the next year or two to get this town cleaned up. We got a woods full of people. We got to drive out of here and we don't need them grouping two or three in into one of these things. We're not gaining anything. All we're going to do is is basically put ourselves at a stalemate. We're not going to move them. If if they've got housing and and they're still not going to work and they're still not going to clean up the rack, they're going to throw the junk in

32:06 – 32:21Speaker 1

the front yards or whatever. We're not doing that thing. Keep our commercial properties as much as we can. We've lost too much already. And um let's go from there. But I'm I ask you to please vote no. Thank you.

32:32 – 33:41Speaker 1

I guess I should address this the other night. I don't understand why we can't get like more restaurants here, more good things here. I mean, you know, I mean, yeah, Reders is nice, Walmart's great and all that, but I no business wants to come here. I mean, I' I've said something to Chick-fil-A. I said, "Come to Georgetown, you know, but no, no businesses want to come here because of our town." And we if we say if this went through, okay, so you got people there. We're running out of I mean the grocery stores are packed and everything. The restaurants what we have we have good restaurants that try to survive, but I just wish somehow and I don't know how to go about it that we could get some more restaurants, more businesses here. You know, like everybody says, we want Georgetown to really pop. We want to get ourselves straightened around, get rid of a lot of stuff. And nothing against you, but it's not I know it's not you, you know, but I mean, I just wish we could get something

33:43 – 34:02Speaker 1

quickly. It's up to the chair. It's very unusual though to allow somebody go to speak twice. Yeah. But for you, no, not five minutes. Make it quick, please. Stop your mind.

33:59 – 35:03Speaker 1

I I just I I just really want to remind everybody, including uh all of you that came out tonight, we appreciate you're coming out. Um this almost feels like a fatal compon plea because it's very unusual in the sense that behind this behind this operation, there's already a draft of a for cottage programs. So it it almost feels like this would set the stage for that. So and if this is approved, which I hope it's not, the applicant has to come before this planning commission and present their site plan. So you have to stay tuned to see what's going to happen. And if it's approved here, it then goes to town council. So you have another opportunity to express your opinion if if you so choose, but if you really feel strongly about it, you have to keep in touch with what's happening with this project. Thank you.

35:07 – 36:46Speaker 1

There was one more thing I I I neglected to mention. Um uh this this whole process remember or you may remember um started in February when town council did pass a resolution 2025-02 which did um permit the houses to be used as proof of concept um exhibits basically. Um so um there was no guarantees in that uh resolution that anything would be passed. it did direct our department to research and write an ordinance u to be considered by council. So um but again that's that is the the a recommendation yay or nay that you can choose to make today u which will then be delivered to town council. Um, I just want to uh say one one other thing that um I want everybody to to know that if this does pass that they really won't have a say on whether it goes or not. They can make recommendations, but if this passes to this changing, the town has no recourse as long as all those tiny houses meet the code requirements. So, please for all of us, think really hard about what you're going to do to this town if you pass this.

36:49Speaker 1

Okay, we will call for a motion.

36:55 – 38:24Speaker 1

Mr. chair, if I may, because it is somewhat confusing and the applicants have spoken to the issue. Um, the process, I'll just reiterate it and if I if you know what I'm saying, I'm sorry, but um they went through the first step which is does this need to go to plus because it's inconsistent with your comp plan and that's a low standard. It just this is not a major thing and and the state agreed. So, this step is to confirm um whether or not specifically these two parcels should be zoned residential versus commercial. You've heard um uh the the the city's argument that well it looks like it should be commercial and he's gave some reasons. You've heard some decent people speak about why it should be remained commercial or highway commercial. So the issue here is what's the appropriate zoning for this area and it's it's fine and and to discuss the proposed plan and what could happen if it's zoned that. But the real issue is it is it appropriate for residential or commercial and you've heard reasons on both sides. And if you if you make a motion, just make sure you um uh and you vote and you poll them, just say why you're doing what you're doing. And that issue could be I mean that information could be contained in the original motion and you could just refer to that as well if there is a motion.

38:31 – 39:15Speaker 1

Something that's not been brought up is or I've not heard it. Who owns this property now? And what is this costing the town of Georgetown? The property and these tiny homes, how much is this going to cost the town of Georgetown? And I think the majority of people, I mean, there's just a few here, but people that have been discussed out of here are not in favor. And they're the taxpayers. you know, they're the ones that their money is going to be going to some of this, even if it's just maintenance of the property or whatever. Who owns this property? Does anyone know?

39:13 – 39:57Speaker 1

Yes, it's it's in the in the package. The property is currently owned by a um company called G&J Properties. Um and he is selling or gifting the property to um tiny home or is that their name? Uh little Living.org. Little Living. Yeah. Um the gentleman who owns the property, he's from Laurel, I believe. Greg Johnson. right now he will only do only donate it if they do the little properties or the little houses is that correct

39:54 – 40:29Speaker 1

I don't know that there so so we do I mean there is an agreement of donation so that's a um I'm not a lawyer so I don't know yeah and these are all very good questions and you know this is a brown site this is I mean it's going to be tough the real issue is here should it be residential should it uh commercial and that's really the issue. We could go into the weeds of this but they're they're pretty deep weeds and and the the chair has closed the public hearing.

40:26 – 41:03Speaker 1

Question if this doesn't pass then it stays proposal just to be clear if it doesn't pass its way. Well, my understanding, we are making a recommendation to town council. So, the town council can choose to follow our recommendation or Yeah. So to to what the chair said, they're they're a recommending body and they're going to recommend it doesn't.

41:17 – 41:42Speaker 1

Yeah, that's what a recommendation is. Yeah. You always do. Shelley Wise, Old Park Avenue. I'm just going to say one thing. I am so tired of everybody coming in here and trying to change everything about this town for everybody else and not thinking about the people who live here and have to put up with it. So, I want you to please vote no.

41:45 – 42:10Speaker 1

Okay. So, we public hearing closed. Yeah. P public hearing is closed. Oh, I'm sorry. There might be someone on online who has a who has a comment. Is there someone online who has a comment? Yes. Okay. Oh, could you please can you hear me? Yes, we can. Yes, please state your name.

42:09 – 42:57Speaker 1

George Maringo. I'm the president of Little Living. We We have acquired that project property from Greg Johnson. We're in the process of doing the deed moving over to our name. Um, we intend to build 22 houses on that. We intend to maintain those houses in perpetuity. We will have a property manager. We will maintain the property. We have funds for future um renovations and and repairs if needed. Um, we are not walking away. We're not changing this town and we want to make the town better. We're trying to places for people to live that are working either not homeless shelters either people that are working and can't find affordable housing

43:01Speaker 1

to be there for reason okay thank you

43:14Speaker 1

did you have something I think that's there's nobody else online. So,

43:21 – 44:48Speaker 1

all right. Is there a motion? There are actually two parts to this um request. So, the first one is regarding the amendment to the comprehensive future land use map. Well, I'll make a motion to recommend the town council to deny the proposed amendment to the town of Georgetown comprehensive plan future land use map for two partials totaling 0.91 plus or minus acres from commercial single family res from commercial to single family residential identified as Sussex County tax partial 135-15.13-16.00 and 135-15.13-17.00 00 My reasoning is is that uh you there's a few things you know changing this from commercial to residential and you're talking about put 22 homes there one's the safety of the people there u two is the traffic and the most important thing I think somebody said tonight it is the impact of the value of the homes that have been there for 30 or 40 years um so I don't think it's a good idea to put this land into commercial or to residential um because I you the things that are going on now with the town. Um, it's not in our long-term vision to benefit us what's going on there. So, that's my motion.

44:46 – 45:29Speaker 1

Is there a second to this motion? I'll second that motion. Okay. So, we have a motion and a second to recommend to deny the application. So, when you just clarify, when you're voting, you say I means that you do not want this to happen. You say nay if you want it to happen. Okay. So, I will take a roll call vote. Commissioner, confirm that with Yeah. You do want this. You want this motion to happen. You we want cuz we did this. Yes. Yes. A yes means that what you recommended it gets passed. Correct. So, Commissioner Briggs, yes. Commissioner Allen, yes.

45:28 – 46:12Speaker 1

Commissioner Roach, yes. And I'm a yes as well. I I just think that we've envisioned Market Street being a commercial businessfriendly district and that's not what what this zoning does. So, okay. [Applause] Now, is there any public comment for anything else? Yeah. Is is there a I mean it probably makes sense to vote on the second one if it's Yeah. Aren't they

46:11 – 46:42Speaker 1

Yeah, you can contingent upon each other. I mean is not necessar I mean they're separate. So you voted on the the comp plan amendment and um you know you can make the same motion. Okay. Um pretty much and refer to that and refer to the reasons if that's what you want to do. And when you vote for it, say you're voting for the reasons stated in the motion. if you want to expedite it. And I'm not telling you what to do. I'm just saying that's a way to do it. Okay. We'll just Is there a motion for the second part of the application

46:45 – 47:29Speaker 1

to propose a Well, it'll be the same. It's it's it's the only difference is it it's you're you're making it's a it's a slightly different request. All right. I'll make a motion to recommend that town council deny the proposed amendment to the town of Georgetown's official zoning map for two partials totaling 0.91 plus or minus acres from highway commercial to UR1 residential identified as Suscal tax partial 135-15.13-16.00 and 135-15.13-17.00 and the same reasons as the first motion that we voted on. We have a motion. Is there a second? I'll second.

47:27 – 48:04Speaker 1

Motion second. Take a roll call vote. Commissioner Briggs, yes. Good. Commissioner Allen, yes. Commissioner Roach, yes. And I'm yes as well for the same reason. [Applause] Okay, moving on. Uh, community development. Do you want to offer any other? Well, I I did once, but anybody like to make public comment for any other topic? Okay.

48:01 – 49:24Speaker 1

Okay. Um so, community development department report. Uh we are progressing with our downtown development district uh plan update. Uh we had a open house last night here. Um, and we will continue to receive uh uh we'll continue to receive surveys uh from our website um on what people's vision for the downtown uh will be. We will be reapplying to the um downtown development district program. Uh and that again gives us significant incentives um for downtown development uh commercial and residential um within the core uh and basically along East Market and um just off of East Market as well. And so that application is due to the state in February, but we're hoping to complete again complete the plan by the December time frame. Um uh and I guess as a reminder uh to to those present here that the comm cottage community ordinance uh after having been moved from this body to town council will be going in front of town council for a public hearing on October 27th at their meeting then um at 6:45 at town hall which is here. Um

49:22 – 50:58Speaker 1

so have changes been made to that based upon the feedback? Yes. Yes. So that's yes. Good point. So uh changes have been made based upon the planning commission recommendations uh from our meeting last week or last month and uh those have been integrated into the document and um and that is the the one that will be offered and considered at the public hearing. Now again same as with the zoning uh and other future land use map changes, there's a public hearing that happens. Uh the record presently would be open for 14 days and there'd be a first reading and a second reading um of that ordinance for each ordinance essentially and at the second reading is when the town council decides whether to approve or deny any ordinance. Um so that would be the timeline for the cottage the text amendment that allows that would permit this type of development in town according to those standards mentioned. Um and and yes, so we do have a few um plans that are in the in the pipeline as well and certainly a number of um building permits that have also been issued uh or received for review. Um uh the Del Marva Christian um school uh building permits have been received by the town after, you know, as you might remember, the planning commission approved that site plan a couple months ago. Um, so that construction will probably start next month, I would imagine. Um, so yeah, those are some of the major

50:57 – 51:08Speaker 1

major things happening. It's not major, but I see that Popeye's is finally moving this that sat for almost a year and but now they've actually updated their

51:06 – 52:16Speaker 1

Yes. Yes. So, uh, that's a good point. So, Popeye's had come back in for final plan approval. Um and they did receive final plan approval though they may have to um amend that site plan because the template of the building that they get from corporate changed. Um so some of the entrances some of the ramps that are um uh that are typically a part of this project uh are shifted a bit. So but we don't expect that to be too significant of a change. Um, and we also do expect um actually the planning commission likely to see a concept plan for the Oaks at Georgetown phase three um not probably not next month but maybe the month after. So that's um and also the phase two of the oaks at Georgetown, the town homes uh will probably go into construction uh very soon. We haven't seen any permits for that, but they've already begun site work likely. you may have seen um from there as well. So So there's going to be some some major um work happening there pretty soon.

52:19 – 53:03Speaker 1

It's God's way out on the highway by Domino's. Yep. So yeah, that that was previously approved um for preliminary by this body. I think it was last year. Yeah. Yeah. So, so they have only now come back in for final plan approval. So, there's preliminary and then there's final. Um, so they're they're Yeah, they're they're close. They're close. Okay, that's our agenda. Is there a motion to adjurnn? Motion to adjurnn. Second. Second. All in favor? I Okay, we are adjourned.

52:59Speaker 1

All right. Thank you. Thank you.

This transcript was automatically generated from the official public meeting video and is presented unedited. It reflects remarks made on the public record by elected officials, staff, and public commenters. Transcript accuracy may vary; view the original recording for reference.