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location: Long & Foster Agenda (One Hour Covenants Meeting @ 9:30) note: Board Meetings are open to Community Members |
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| Proposed Development of the Gallo Commercial Lot |
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On 7/16/07, The Board of Adjustment denied the request; the primary reason stated was a desire to not set a precedent for others seeking a similar variance for economic reasons.
They found the safety issues brought up were important, but not relevant to Board of Adjustment deliberation.
They said it should be brought before the Zoning Board, which had a preliminary meeting in early May.
On 7/3/07, Joe Reardon reported: At last night's meeting, the Board of Adjustment tabled the Gallo's request for a variance until their next meeting on Monday July 16th. The Board wanted more time to consider the facts and arrive at a decision. Six residents were at the meeting and spoke before the Board. They were Martha Branstad, Lindy Cohee, Fred and Norma Jean Craver, David Taylor and myself. The opposition totaling 45 from the speakers, the email responses and the letters organized by Dennis Bransted, Nancy Glasgow, Lynn Thelen and others, was the basic reason the Variance was not granted. Pedestrian safety on Bridge Road was the primary topic of our presentation which was in directly related to the topic of the variance request. The variance was from Sussex County's requirement that there be a 20-foot landscaped buffer along Route 1. The Gallo's wanted this requirement eliminated so they can block off Route 1 entrance for parking needed for the size of the building. Their plan called for two entrances on Bridge Road if their varance was granted. I will be talking with MBA's lawyer regarding our best options during the next two weeks. Thank you and all the others for your help in this matter. Original Info: The MBA Board has received information concerning the proposed redevelopment of the vacant commercial lot which is located on the south side of Bridge Road along DE Route 1 (Coastal Highway). This lot is also known as "the ex-Fishbones property".Sussex County B-1 zoning requires a 20' landscape buffer along the front of such a property. The lot owner (SE Gallo Family Partnership) is seeking a zoning variance from this requirement. As is required, they have reviewed the appropriate Tax Maps, and have notified all titled land owners within 200 feet. A hearing will be held regarding their requested variance in Georgetown, DE on Monday, July 2. Interested individuals may attend, and may submit their comments either at that hearing, or in writing PRIOR to that hearing. Comments should be directed to: Mr. Bud Richard, County Board of Adjustments, Sussex County Administration Building, Georgetown, DE 19947. The proposed development is for a 2 story office building, totaling over 8700 square feet of developed space. Sussex County parking requirements dictate that the owner provide 44 regular parking spaces, and 2 handicapped parking spaces. Approximately 1/4 of these parking spaces are proposed to be placed in the area that the county requires to be set aside for the landscape buffer. It should be noted that draft of their intended plans does seem to comply with MBA covenants concerning height and setback. However, as noted above, the proposal does NOT comply with existing Sussex County zoning requirements. The Board assumes that Sussex County enacted this landscape buffer requirement after giving the matter much thought, and we firmly believe that this requirement should not be waived unless the lot owners can show a good reason. On the request for this variance, they are required to list the variance they wish to be granted, and should state their reasons for this request. The application as filed contains NO REASON for granting this waiver. The MBA Board of Directors discussed this issue at their June 16, 2007 Board meeting, and is strenuously opposed to the granting of such a waiver. The Board will be represented at this hearing by Joe Reardon and Lindy Cohee. |