Milford council debates annexing property along S. Rehoboth Blvd.

By Leann Schenke
Posted 5/14/21

MILFORD — City Council is moving through the annexation process for about 2 acres of land on the east side of South Rehoboth Boulevard.

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Milford council debates annexing property along S. Rehoboth Blvd.

Posted

MILFORD — City Council is moving through the annexation process for about 2 acres of land on the east side of South Rehoboth Boulevard.

During a Monday meeting, council acknowledged a report by the Annexation Committee for the property, which is owned by Walter and Sharon Feindt. The land, currently outside of the city as part of Kent County, is zoned agricultural-residential.

Planning Director Rob Pierce said that by acknowledging the report, council was not necessarily approving the annexation but moving forward with the process. After a question from Councilman Todd Culotta about when a discussion can occur, David Rutt, the city’s solicitor, clarified there will be a public hearing soon.

“It’s just the findings of the committee, which is just a portion of council,” Mr. Pierce said. “The council will have the ability to make a final determination when the public hearings are held — after we get comments back from the state of Delaware.”

The planning director said it will be up to the council later if they want to annex the land and how it will be zoned.

During the meeting of the Annexation Committee, held immediately prior to council’s, it approved the request in a 2-to-1 vote but recommended that the property be zoned residential and not commercial, as the applicant requested.

Councilwoman Katrina Wilson voted against the annexation with amended zoning. Councilmen Dan Marabello and Brian Baer voted in favor.

Mr. Pierce said the property could serve as a gateway to the Windward on the River apartments and Deep Branch Plaza (located north of the proposed annexation site). He said his staff found “no real disadvantages” to annexation of the property.

Councilman Marabello, chairman of the Annexation Committee, suggested changing the zoning from commercial to residential because the property is partially surrounded by single-family homes.

Councilwoman Wilson, however, spoke against the change, saying it limits what businesses could be constructed there. She said bringing services like more restaurants to residents living in that area of Milford is “good growth.”

“We need more than one restaurant or two restaurants on each side of town,” she said. “We want the restaurants and retail to grow with the residents.”

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