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DRAFT
The New Castle City’s Planning Commission Meeting took place on April 25, 2005 at 6 p.m. in the City of New Castle’s Town Hall. Members Present: Jim Steele, Chairman Staff Present: Jackie Seneschal Mayor John Klingmeyer Chairman Jim Steele called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. and roll call was taken. Minor Sub-Division of 79-81 and 83 West 5th Street into 4 Lots – Chairman Steele reported it is a non-conforming lot. Today he met with Jeff Bergstrom and the City Engineer (Dave Athey) and they had a number of questions that need to be answered. A copy has been sent to the engineer and owners and hopefully questions will be answered satisfactorily in the next month or so. Mr. Freebery inquired about the questions. Ms. Seneschal read Dave Athey’s letter outlining the questions. One of the items was not having a copy of HAC’s approval. We were not provided with a copy of the sub-division plan either. We were told it wouldn’t be on tonight’s agenda. Ms. Davis said the word “approval” creates problems. HAC can only set side yard set backs. That is their job. To say we approve of something may not necessarily be correct. Ms. Seneschal said it would be very helpful to have HAC’s approval on this project. It is unclear whether they have approved it. Mr. Wilson said that we definitely need to get rid of the HAC “approval” and specify. Ms. Seneschal added it would be very helpful to know what we approved and what we recommended. Mr. Mendelsohn made a motion to table this matter. Ms. Miller seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously. Correspondence – Chairman Steele read a letter to the group from Herb Enden of the State Planning Coordinating Office regarding our annual report. Ms. Seneschal added that we applied for a Livable Delaware grant and said she believes the City has received a letter about the request, but has not seen it. The initial request was for funding for costs associated with the development of the tree ordinance. Chairman Steele was provided with a copy of the letter by former Councilman DiAngelo. The letter stated, 1) The Livable Delaware grant was approved for $5,640 to update the city code regarding a tree ordinance; 2) Participate in the Walkability Workshop in coordination with WILMAPCO; 3) Prepare materials for many elected City officials. Disbursement of funds will be processed once all three activities have been documented and submitted. It will be the City’s responsibility to submit receipts and bills for reimbursement. Chairman Steele reported that a public workshop on the Route 9 Ferry Cut-Off Project would be held at St. Peters Social Hall on 5/9/05 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be a public notice issued. WILMAPCO Walkability Workshop-Review – Chairman Steele and Ms. Davis represented the Planning Commission; Ms. Seneschal was also present. We walked through the new Livable Delaware plan. We went up to Delaware Street, then to 6th and Delaware Streets, took 6th Street south and back out to St. Anthony’s Club. It took about one hour. Ms. Davis reported that a lot of information on making a community pedestrian-friendly was offered. An hour-long presentation was given about what cities can do and what New Castle wants. It is more than putting in Greenways and trails. It is also about making the community itself pedestrian-friendly. Chairman Steele added that while walking the trail they critiqued each area. (He then informed about the suggestions offered by the experts from Seattle and New England who joined them.) Ms. Seneschal said some of the changes they recommended could be done on an interim basis. The DelDOT consultant actually attended the workshop and walked with us taking notes. Some of the things will be incorporated into the design. When Ms. Davis and Chairman Steele attend the meeting on 5/9/05 they can reinforce the things that need to be done. Crosswalks in front of schools should be widened and painted. Utilizing new signage to reflect new standards is encouraged. The City will have to follow up with a letter to DelDOT. The State should be paying for it. Mr. Wilson asked if they mentioned anything about pedestrian right-of-ways. He added that in New England crosswalks in the middle of the road have yellow blinking lights on them. If anyone walks into the crosswalk traffic has to stop. Ms. Seneschal said she would like to see those near schools. Chairman Steele informed that there is talk about removing the STOP sign at 6th and Tremont and putting in an island to control traffic. At 6th and South Streets they are talking about squaring that street up. A lot of good things were pointed out. Ms. Seneschal said a couple months ago the prior Council suggested having DelDOT community meetings. Then go to WILMAPCO to look at funding sources. He gave Buttonwood Avenue as an example. Improves the neighborhood without putting in speed bumps. They also addressed trees on the streets and suggested putting some type of half moon or circle allowing the tree to allow it to continue to grow. It was also suggested running the sidewalk around the tree. Bump outs would help narrow the street. Mr. Wilson felt the biggest deterrent is addressing the heavy traffic in the summer. Pedestrian right-of-ways will help. Trucks would have to stop and start. Ms. Petty said we have to have someone to enforce the law. We can have them in place, but we need people to enforce it. Ms. Davis said we did think of the enforcement part and other ways to implement other methods to help reduce it on its own. Ms. Seneschal said people will travel roads at the speed at which it is posted or the speed which it is designed for. We want to lower the designed speed to provide as much safety for drivers and pedestrians. Chairman Steele stressed to everyone they should attend the 5/9/05 meeting. The initial set of plans was to close 6th Street. I don’t know if that has changed. We put our ideas in writing and we should go as a body. Comments from City Council will be given. The Planning Commission would be given a fair amount of weight. 219 E. 2nd Street – Chairman Steele read the first paragraph from the minutes of 3/28/05. No action was taken due to the lack of a quorum. Ms. Davis reported that HAC had granted approval that they set the side yard set backs. Our job is to set the side yard set backs. That is all we have the authority to do. Ms. Seneschal said she had a conversation with Jeff Bergstrom about HAC’s parking. The zoning ordinance says it requires two spaces and HAC recommended no off-street parking. Any building permit requires HAC’s approval. HAC’s approval is intended for any building permit and if HAC says that they have no off-street parking he can’t issue a building permit. This would require the Board of Adjustment. Anyone who gets a new addition in the historical area has to go to the Board of Adjustment because Ms. Seneschal said anyone not having off-street parking is a non-conforming use. Ms. Seneschal said that an alley will be installed behind the 2nd Street property and parking will be extended off of it. A member of the audience informed there is an archeological study that has been done in New Castle and that site is sensitive. Whether it can be opened up without a full archeological investigation, I don’t know. It is an issue that needs to be addressed. Mr. DiMondi asked for clarification about non-conforming use. Every existing residential property in the historical district that doesn’t have off-street parking is a non-conforming unit? Ms. Seneschal said there was a change in the language of the Code that was made as a result of the amendments. It specifically intended to reduce the number of permits that needed to go to the Board of Adjustments. Mr. DiMondi doesn’t agree that they are all non-conforming. Ms. Seneschal informed that Mr. Bergstrom must work by the Code. Ms. Seneschal said she would address a letter to the City Solicitor and Mr. Bergstrom asking for a ruling from them on this matter. Mr. Jeff Davis suggested putting in the ordinance a note that this is order expo facto. That would do it. You don’t create something that effects the past. Mr. DiMondi requested Council be copied on Ms. Seneschal’s letter. He would like to add this matter to Council’s next meeting agenda. Ms. Seneschal reported that at the 3/28/05 Planning Commission Meeting the Commission indicated they would send a letter to City Council concerning notification of adjacent property owners and the establishment of a parking task force. I have drafted both of those letters, but have not presented them yet due to the election. Parking -- Mr. Mendelsohn said the Planning Commission recommends appointment of a town parking task force and would have two charges. One is finalizing plans for the finance and development of City parking lots. And number two is the Comprehensive Plan that was adopted talks about paving existing parking areas and encourages businesses to share parking and improve on directional signs. In December 2003 the Planning Commission recommended an additional downtown parking lot at 4th and Chestnut. City Council accepted that recommendation, but nothing has happened because we don’t have a tangible plan. He wants to see action on both of these items. Ms. Seneschal said the Comprehensive Plan didn’t suggest a new parking lot, rather paving what we already have. In order to get a design for a parking lot we need to contract with an engineering firm to do this. Chairman Steele informed he visited Delaware City and looked at their parking facility which was funded by the Delaware River and Bay Authority. The parking lot is two blocks from the downtown area, but it works. We have been talking about this project, but we need to get moving with City Council. The Mayor has suggested the old bowling alley and that would be an excellent spot. It would need to be addressed with the Trustees because it is their property. Mr. Mendelsohn added that we had a meeting a year ago with the River and Bay Authority and they needed a plan before we could go further. Ms. Davis suggested sending a letter asking for the task force, and then let them address the issues. New Castle Senior Center – Ms. Davis is concerned that a lot of time and effort was put into plans for the New Castle Senior Center and none of the suggestions were followed when the work was done. It is not following the Code as it was written up. Mr. DiAngelo suggested going back to the senior center and find out why they didn’t do what they were supposed to do it. The Mayor informed that the plan was likely approved. A brief discussion took place about violation of the law and holding the person(s)/contractor liable. Chairman Steele will check the paper trail and report back to the Commission. We do have a code enforcement officer in the city and they can handle it. Ms. Petty said that at our 10/25/04 meeting CPR Construction submitted a plan for a parcel split on Buttonwood Avenue. They have now changed it to put in one building/dwelling. I am asking the Planning Commission to look at drainage problems again. She doesn’t think anything should be on this property until drainage issues are corrected. Mr. Wilson added that it was his understanding that the drainage would have to be fixed before any building was put in. Ms. Seneschal said funding for this project has been secured, but doesn’t know how the City will proceed. Mr. DiAngelo reported the drainage issue is in the hands of the New Castle County Conservation District. There are funds from the County and then they can go out for bids when it is received. The City of New Castle doesn’t get involved. He presented additional pictures of the property to Ms. Petty. Chairman Steele reported that Ms. Petty has informed him she will be leaving the Planning Commission because of her recent election to City Council. He thanked her for her hard work and dedication. A round of applause followed. She will be the Council’s liaison on the Planning Commission. The Mayor distributed information on downtown areas to Planning Commission members for their reading. Adjournment -- Ms. Miller made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m. |
