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Page 1
CITY OF DOVER PLANNING COMMISSION
Meeting and Quarterly Workshop Session
AGENDA
Monday, April 16, 2018 – 7:00 P.M.
City Hall, City Council Chambers
15 Loockerman Plaza, Dover, Delaware
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
ADOPTION OF MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING of March 19, 2018
COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTS
1) Reminder: The next Planning Commission regular meeting is scheduled for MONDAY, May
21, 2018 at 7:00pm in the City Council Chambers.
2) Update on City Council Actions
OPENING REMARKS CONCERNING APPLICATIONS
OLD BUSINESS
1) Requests for Extensions of Planning Commission Approval: None
2) MI-18-03 Text Amendments: Manufactured Housing and Land Lease Communities (Dover
Code of Ordinances, Chapter 66 and Zoning Ordinance, Article 3, Section 8 and Article 12)
–The Planning Commission on March 19, 2018 tabled action on the Review of Proposed
Ordinance #2018-01 of Text Amendments to the Dover Code of Ordinances, Chapter 66 -
Manufactured Homes, Mobile Homes, and Lend Lease Communities; to Zoning Ordinance,
Article 3, Section 8- Manufactured Housing (MH) Zone; and to Zoning Ordinance, Article
12- Definitions. A Report on the Planning Commission’s Public Hearing and action to table
this application was forwarded to City Council for their meeting of April 9, 2018. Planning
Staff is working on the information requested by the Planning Commission; continued review
is anticipated at a future meeting.
3) Update on Appointment of the Architectural Review Oversight Subcommittee of Planning
Commission (in accordance with Zoning Ordinance, Article 10 §2.28)
NEW APPLICATIONS: None
NEW BUSINESS
1) Presentation on Delaware PLAN4Health
a. Guidance for Incorporating Health into the City of Dover’s Comprehensive Plan
Page 2
City of Dover Planning Commission Agenda
Public Hearing: April 19, 2018
Page 2 of 2
2) Project for Dover’s 2019 Comprehensive Plan
a. Update on Project Activities
b. Evaluation of 2008 Goals and Recommendations
3) Department of Planning & Inspections Updates
a. Summary of 2017 and 2018 Applications
b. Updates on Current Studies and Projects
i. Downtown Parking Study
ii. Research Update on Potential Zoning Ordinance Amendments
iii. Certified Local Government (CLG) FFY2017 Grant Project and FFY2018
Grant Application
c. Updates on Program and Plan Activities
i. Downtown Development District Program
ii. Restoring Central Dover Community Plan
4) Open Discussion for Planning Commissioner Comments
ADJOURN
THE AGENDA ITEMS MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED IN SEQUENCE. THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
TO INCLUDE THE ADDITION OR THE DELETION OF ITEMS, INCLUDING EXECUTIVE SESSIONS.
Posted Agenda: April 6, 2018
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CITY OF DOVER PLANNING COMMISSION
MARCH 19, 2018
The Regular Meeting of the City of Dover Planning Commission was held on Monday, March
19, 2018 at 7:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers with Chairman Mr. Tolbert presiding.
Members present were Mr. Holden, Mr. Roach, Ms. Edwards, Mr. Holt, Mr. Baldwin, Dr. Jones,
Mrs. Welsh, Ms. Maucher and Mr. Tolbert.
Staff members present were Mrs. Dawn Melson-Williams, Mr. Eddie Diaz, Mr. Jason Lyon, Mr.
Julian Swierczek and Mrs. Kristen Mullaney. Also present was Mr. Brian Finnegan. Speaking
from the public was Mr. Michael Morton.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that there are a few updates to the agenda. First, is the correction of
an application file number. Item #1 under New Applications, that application file number should
be MI-18-03. It’s listed on the agenda as MI-18-02. They discovered that there were two files
that had the same file number so this text amendment being heard tonight is now tied to MI-18-
03. Also, Site Plan S-18-03 Lidl Grocery Store & Retail Space at North DuPont Highway and
Kings Highway NE will not be heard this evening at the request of the applicant to defer
consideration. As noted on the agenda, that application and its public hearing will be rescheduled
for a future meeting and will be subject to public notice requirements at that time. They did not
complete public notice for this meeting, but it was on some of their information that could
potentially be heard at this meeting.
Mrs. Welsh moved to approve the agenda as updated, seconded by Dr. Jones and the motion was
unanimously carried 9-0.
APPROVAL OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF
FEBRUARY 20, 2018
Ms. Edwards stated that there are typos on two of the applications from the February meeting
that state Mr. Edwards instead of Ms. Edwards. Responding to Ms. Edwards, Mr. Tolbert asked
that the record show the corrections to the minutes from February 20, 2018.
Mrs. Welsh moved to approve the Planning Commission Meeting minutes of February 20, 2018,
seconded by Mr. Holt and the motion was unanimously carried 9-0.
COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTS
Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that the next Planning Commission regular meeting is scheduled
for Monday, April 16, 2018 at 7:00pm in the City Council Chambers.
Mrs. Melson-Williams provided an update on the regular City Council and various Committee
meetings held on February 26 & 27, 2018 and March 12 & 13, 2018.
Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that the Planning Office has started some of the initial steps in what
will be the 2019 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Dover. They have started some of the
thinking process about how they are going to go about that so the Commission will definitely be
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CITY OF DOVER PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 19, 2018
hearing more on that as we move through the upcoming months.
Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that there is a training opportunity from the University of Delaware
Institute for Public Administration. Their next session which is Planning 203 which is scheduled
for Friday, March 23, 2018 at the Paradee Center. If a Commission member is interested,
Planning Staff can get them registered. It’s Advanced Land Use Development Administration.
OPENING REMARKS CONCERNING DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS
Mrs. Melson-Williams presented the audience information on policies and procedures for the
meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
1) Requests for Extensions of Planning Commission Approval: None
2) Revisions to Applications:
A. S-17-12 Capital Station Dover at 50 North DuPont Highway: Architecture Review –
Review of Architecture for Building 4 associated with the commercial development to be
known as Capital Station, at the northwest corner of North DuPont Highway and Division
Street and also adjacent to Maple Parkway. The Planning Commission granted
conditional approval on June 19, 2017 to the Site Development Plan S-17-12 for the
development consisting of a 24,197 S.F. retail and restaurant multi-tenant building, a
6,625 S.F. retail and restaurant multi-tenant building, a 6,100 S.F. retail or restaurant
building, a 6,080 S.F. restaurant building, and a 21,998 S.F. grocery store. Related site
improvements include demolition of the former Playtex factory and provision of parking,
landscaping, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities for the shopping center. The property is
zoned SC-1 (Neighborhood Shopping Center Zone) and subject to the SWPOZ (Source
Water Protection Overlay Zone – Tier 1: Secondary Wellhead Protection Area). The
owner of record is Capital Station Dover LLC. Property Address: 50 North DuPont
Highway. Tax Parcel: ED-05-077.06-01-02.00-000. Council District: 2.
Representative: Mr. Brian Finnegan, Capital Station Dover LLC
Mr. Diaz stated that back in June of 2017, the Planning Commission granted conditional
approval of the Site Plan for Capital Station at 50 North DuPont Highway. As part of that
approval, the Commission approved the architecture for four out of the five proposed buildings
on the site. Those building include a 24,000 SF retail and restaurant building, a 6,600 SF retail
and restaurant building, a 6,100 SF retail/restaurant building and a 22,000 SF grocery store. At
that time, the Commission did not receive the architecture for Building 4 on the site which is in
the northeast corner. The applicants were told that they would need to submit the architecture at
a future meeting of the Planning Commission. They have submitted the architecture for this
building that was seen before when the Comprehensive Sign Plan for the shopping center came
through. This is the proposed appearance of a restaurant building which includes a variety of
materials and colors throughout the building. Staff assessment of the architecture is that it
complies with the Architectural Guidelines of the Zoning Ordinance. Tonight, the Planning
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Commission needs to either approve the architecture as submitted or if necessary, request
changes.
Mr. Finnegan stated that Mr. Diaz stated perfectly why they are here tonight. He has nothing to
add; he is just here for any questions or concerns that the Commission has regarding the
architecture.
Mr. Tolbert questioned if the applicant had any problem working with Staff in a collaborative
manner with whatever requests or statements that they may make regarding the application?
Responding to Mr. Tolbert, Mr. Finnegan stated no.
Mr. Holden moved to approve S-17-12 Capital Station Dover at 50 North DuPont Highway:
Architecture Review for Building 4, seconded by Mrs. Welsh and the motion was carried 9-0 by
roll call vote. Mr. Holden voting yes; due to the pass success of the Site Plan and Staff
comments. Mr. Roach voting yes; it looks beautiful and it’s going to be a welcomed addition. He
loves the fact that the applicant took attention to detail to add signage to the back of the
building. Ms. Edwards voting yes; she thinks that it will make a great addition to the City of
Dover. Mr. Holt voting yes; it will be a great addition to the site. Mr. Baldwin voting yes; for the
reasons previously stated and also the colors tend to tie in with the rest of the complex. Dr. Jones
voting yes; it’s a welcomed addition and things are moving along nicely. Mrs. Welsh voting yes;
for all of the reasons previously stated. Ms. Maucher voting yes; for reasons previously stated.
Mr. Tolbert voting yes; he sees no reason to change his vote. He votes yes before and the
changes that are being presented now do not constitute a need to make any changes to his
previous vote.
NEW APPLICATIONS
1) MI-18-03 Text Amendments: Manufactured Housing and Land Lease Communities (Dover
Code of Ordinances, Chapter 66 and Zoning Ordinance, Article 3, Section 8 and Article 12)
– Public Hearing and Review for Recommendation to City Council on Text Amendments to
the Dover Code of Ordinances, Chapter 66 - Manufactured Homes, Mobile Homes, and Lend
Lease Communities; to Zoning Ordinance, Article 3, Section 8- Manufactured Housing
(MH) Zone; and to Zoning Ordinance, Article 12- Definitions. The proposed ordinance
reorganizes and clarifies a portion of the updates to the Dover Code made in August 2016
through Ordinance #2016-16. The proposed ordinance also brings the updates into
compliance with provisions of the Delaware Code related to manufactured housing and
rental housing, particularly Title 25, Chapters 53, 55, 70, and 71. The updates affected
include requirements for placing and licensing manufactured homes, standards for
management and maintenance of land lease communities, taxation, and code enforcement. A
distinction is also made between manufactured homes and permanently placed manufactured
homes in the Zoning Ordinance.
• A copy of the Proposed Ordinance #2018-01 is available on the City’s website
www.cityofdover.com under the Government Heading: Ordinances, Resolutions &
Tributes. https://www.cityofdover.com/ordinances-and-resolutions
The Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee reviewed the proposed Text Amendments
on February 13, 2018 and the First Reading before City Council occurred on February 26, 2018.
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The Public Hearing before the Planning Commission is set for March 19, 2018 and Public Hearing
and Final Reading before City Council is on April 9, 2018.
Representative: None
Mr. Tolbert recused himself because he is resides in a manufactured home.
Mr. Diaz stated that this is series of Text Amendments to the Dover Code of Ordinances. The
majority are in Chapter 66 Manufactured Homes, Mobile Homes and Land Lease Communities.
A few are also in the Zoning Ordinance, Article 3 Section 8 which is the Manufactured Housing
Zone and the Zoning Ordinance, Article 12 Definitions. We last had a major update to the
provisions of the Code dealing with manufactured housing back in August 2016. Following that
update and some concerns raised by the manufactured housing community, they recognized the
need for additional changes to better conform the Ordinance with State Law and then also to
clarify the procedures for enforcing the Ordinance and finally to reorganize Chapter 66 so that it
would be easier to navigate and present the information in it in a more straight forward manner.
Some of the substantial changes of this Ordinance include adding provisions to let land lease
community owners pass on maintenance responsibilities to tenants. There are also revised
provisions for office hours and rent receipts. In the Zoning Ordinance, there are provisions
establishing that homes which are taxed and homes which only pay manufactured home license
fees would not be permitted on the same parcel of land in order to simplify the Tax Assessor’s
tracking of what is taxed and what isn’t.
We received a few comments from the Development Advisory Committee regarding the
proposal. One is that stormwater facilities should be added to the list of private utilities a
community owner would normally be responsible for. That has resulted in Staff Amendment #1
which can be found at the end of the DAC Report. The other major comment was that the Chief
Building Inspector asked us to cross check the proposed changes with the upcoming proposed
changes to the Building Code which is being updated from the 2009 version of the International
Residential Code to the 2018 version. The 2018 version contains its own provisions for
manufactured homes and they were asked to make sure that there would be no conflicts. Tonight,
the proposed ordinance updates need either a positive or a negative recommendation from the
Commission members. Staff will forward that recommendation to City Council for their
approval or denial of the Ordinance.
Mr. Holt stated that he noticed that some of the streets going into the trailer parks need a lot of
work done. Some of them have bad holes in the streets and if you are not careful you will end up
losing a wheel or something. He questioned if this Ordinance will try to correct this situation in
the parks? Responding to Mr. Holt, Mr. Diaz stated that where the streets are the private property
of the manufactured housing community, this should create some stronger provisions for
enforcing that maintenance.
Ms. Maucher questioned if there has been any input from the manufactured home community
owner/operators or residents/tenants? Responding to Ms. Maucher, Mr. Diaz stated that input
from the manufactured housing community owners was in large part of what lead to these
proposed amendments during the second round. Their concern with the original amendment that
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passed in 2016 was that it might contradict some aspects of State private property laws. The
original Ordinance didn’t contain allowances for them to by contract, assign maintenance over
certain parts of their community to their tenants. For instance, the area immediately surrounding
their homes and the landscaping that might be in that. That was the major concern that led to the
change, but Staff believes that they have gone further than that in making the Ordinance clearer
than it was before.
Dr. Jones stated that her concern would be if the homeowners had benefit of reading or hearing
the changes or was the complete confidence placed in Staff and others to make the revisions?
She is not uncomfortable; she just senses that there was reference to the concern from the very
beginning. Responding to Dr. Jones, Mr. Diaz stated that homeowner representation was mainly
led by Councilman Neil who sponsored the Ordinance.
Mr. Holden questioned if Staff could count the changes as being more or less protective of the
tenants or provide us some commentary towards that end that gives them a flavor for what the
changes are going to impart in the practical sense moving forward. Responding to Mr. Holden,
Mr. Diaz stated that the original intent of the Ordinance updates in 2016 was definitely to be
protective of the tenants by the provisions for maintenance directed at the community owners,
adding better record keeping requirements, the requirement to post office hours where an onsite
representative of the owner would be required to be at the community and things like requiring
the owner to provide receipts to homeowners when they made payments for rent. With this latest
Ordinance update, they have rolled that back a little bit to make things a bit easier on the
community owners because their feedback was that the new provisions were too strict and didn’t
allow them the flexibility they needed to work with the tenants to share maintenance and
responsibilities.
Mr. Holden stated that he found it a little odd that in order to move a manufactured home from
its current site the owner has to get a Demolition Permit. Is it just lack of another process that it
would account for? He is not sure why a Demolition Permit applies there. Responding to Mr.
Holden, Mr. Diaz stated that a Demolition Permit applies because although the house itself may
not be disassembled or trashed, there are still things that would have to happen to the site that
would potentially be considered demolition like removing the footers of the old house,
disconnecting utilities, etc. It is a sort of a misnomer for naming but that is something that has
not changed since before the 2016 Ordinance.
Mr. Tolbert stated that Mr. Diaz made a statement that the development owners are responsible
for the streets in the communities of manufactured homes or mobile homes. Responding to Mr.
Tolbert, Mr. Diaz stated that where the streets are actually on the landowner’s property and
where they are private street they (the landowners) need to be responsible for the streets.
Mr. Tolbert stated that why he raised that question is because the development in which he lives
in, the homes are on a permanent foundation and the streets are owned by the City. The City is
responsible for the streets and therefore they pay for street repair and snow removal. Responding
to Mr. Tolbert, Mr. Diaz stated that Persimmon Park Place is a manufactured home community
that unlike the others in the City is not also a land lease community. There is no overarching land
owner who owns all of the land beneath the manufactured homes. The homes and the lots are
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owned by the individual homeowners and the streets in the development are owned by the City
so this amendment would not apply to the streets in that particular development.
Dr. Jones stated that in the 2016 version, the land lease community owner was held responsible
for all of the maintenance and she thinks that she read that the responsibility was going to be split
or shared. Responding to Dr. Jones, Mr. Diaz stated that what it does is it allows the maintenance
to be split or shared. It doesn’t say that the land owner must do this or the tenant must do this; it
says that the landowner must be responsible for all maintenance unless it is specifically
designated to a tenant by a private contract.
Dr. Jones questioned if this change was initiated to be a little easier on the community owner?
Responding to Dr. Jones, Mr. Diaz stated yes.
Mr. Holden stated that to the specific point that Dr. Jones was trying to make, in Section 66-
4(a)v. Delegation of Maintenance Duties, that seems to allow under appropriate contract the
responsibility of maintenance for roads or other to be transferred. The challenge is how do they
ensure that that’s a process that typically the residents of land lease communities are able to
understand and proceed through. It tilts the favor back towards the land lease underlying owner
and he doesn’t necessarily know that that is bad or good but it’s a challenge that he thinks maybe
some more discussion is needed on. Responding to Mr. Holden, Mr. Diaz stated that in terms of
the City determining or learning who is responsible for what, it is something that Planning Staff
is going to have to work closely with Code Enforcement Staff on who in turn will have to work
closely with the community owners and residents. Currently, when routine Code Enforcement
issues come up in a lot of the manufactured home parks, for instance, trash left out on the street
our Code Enforcement Officers go to the homeowners first. For less routine things like potholes
in the road, they will go to the community owners first. He foresees that under the new
Ordinance, that will largely continue to be the case. In cases where a land owner or a community
owner can furnish proof in the form of the contract in question that responsibility needs to go to a
different party then our Code Enforcement Staff can be redirected accordingly.
Mr. Holden stated that other than the correspondence you have had with the owners of these
types of properties have you had other entities push for that allowed delegation of maintenance?
Responding to Mr. Holden, Mr. Diaz stated no.
Mr. Holden questioned if currently it is the underlying owner that is responsible? Responding to
Mr. Holden, Mr. Diaz stated that under the current 2016 Ordinance, the letter of the Code holds
the owner responsible but their allegation to Staff is that they could not be held responsible
because the language of the Code that is currently in place would go against other laws. The
allowance for the delegation of maintenance responsibilities to a different party comes from the
Delaware Code, Title 25 Chapters 53 and 55 which is the Landlord Tenant Code. Without the
addition of this particular provision, they would be going against State Law.
Mr. Holden questioned if the City Solicitor offered that opinion to Staff? Responding to Mr.
Holden, Mr. Diaz stated yes, he believes so.
Mr. Holden stated that his concern is that it is easy to pass off responsibility to an HRA or a
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Homeowner’s Association. He knows the wrangle that we have had in the State with getting
Homeowner’s Associations to take care of their roads and their stormwater ponds and generally
it’s a process that doesn’t work. His concern is that the responsibility gets passed along and then
allows these facilities to fall under greater disrepair. Those HOA’s are much harder to get called
to task to rectify a situation. He personally would love to challenge the City Solicitor to find us a
path that can hold the underlying land owner, the person with the means to resolve a lot of these
issues more responsible. At the end of the day, that cost likely gets flowed through to the
residents but then they ensure as a City that these areas are going to be maintained and not have a
negative drain on the City as a whole. He would seek from Staff a path to allow that time. How
might the Planning Commission offer a pause to give that a closer look?
Ms. Maucher questioned if there was any requirement that the entity receiving responsibility has
the technical expertise or the knowledge or financial ability to carry out those responsibilities?
It’s kind of vague in that regard and having dealt with failing wastewater systems, it can be
unpleasant if they don’t have the expertise. Responding to Ms. Maucher, Mr. Diaz stated that
from a practical standpoint, he has a hard time foreseeing a circumstance where a land lease
community owner would assign a homeowner responsibility for maintaining the whole
stormwater pond behind their house. More typically, the sorts of maintenance responsibilities
that are delegated are responsibility over the lot that the house sits on maintaining that lot free of
trash or maintaining grass and whatever grass and bushes might be planted around the house.
Without this provision, a homeowner could theoretically plant their own landscaping around the
house and instead of taking care of it themselves; they could say it was the community owners so
they should maintain it.
Mr. Holden stated that there certainly seems that there should be the ability to split out
maintenance on the lot which he thinks is the issue with the Landlord Tenant Code and also
maintenance of the roadways and/or utilities which are ones that a single resident has no ability
to impact. He thinks that we could all agree that HOA’s generally are not as adept as the
underlying owner at taking care of those. He doesn’t know our path and he asks Staff how the
Commission can put this back in Staff’s laps and give them some time to do what they may do
with it? Do they table this action for the evening? He personally doesn’t think that putting roads
and utilities in an HOA is the right path either for the residents or for the City as a whole.
Responding to Mr. Holden, Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that if the Planning Commission has
some concerns about a particular section they could certainly in taking their action this evening
make the recommendation that certain provisions or topic areas be further addressed or evaluated
by Staff to bring additional information back to the Commission. The Commission could
certainly do that without making a final recommendation on the entire package. This is subject to
public hearing this evening. As with all text amendments, that (notice) was published in the local
newspaper so there is that opportunity as well as being posted on these various agendas and the
First Reading that occurred at City Council. There is nothing in our Code that requires us to send
this proposed Text Amendment to every property owner and/or tenant that it may affect. On the
question about how to move forward with this package, if you have concerns about the Text
Amendment and would seek additional information you could certainly defer action on it until
you receive a specific list of information and it could be brought up for continued discussion at a
specific future meeting of the Commission.
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Mr. Tolbert stated that in his experience with HOA’s they don’t seem knowledgeable enough to
carry out the duties that they are supposed to carry out in being responsible for the developments
that they are overseeing.
Dr. Jones stated that as we possibly defer action she would suggest that there are a couple of
other things, in her opinion, that need to be tightened. She is not trying to make things difficult
for the community owners. On Page 5 Office Hours (line 185), in her mind this doesn’t really
give a feeling of assurance to the tenants that there are going to be regular fixed office hours.
Maybe she is adding a little bit too much to this and she doesn’t want to nit-pick but if this is
what people have to live by then we want to make very certain that there is not a lot left for
interpretation. In Section 66-4(b)ii Receipt for Lot Payment (line 194), has this not been the case
in the past? Responding to Dr. Jones, Mr. Diaz stated that there have been comments from
various homeowners that they do not receive receipts for payment of rent so that was one of the
things desired in the original 2016 Ordinance that is still here.
Ms. Maucher questioned if the additions comport with the Landlord Tenant Code? Responding
to Ms. Maucher, Mr. Diaz stated that the Landlord Tenant Code does include provisions for the
provision of receipts. The feedback received on that was that those provisions don’t go far
enough so we were asked to make our provisions for rent receipts more strict.
Mr. Tolbert opened a public hearing.
Mr. Michael Morton – First State Manufactured Housing Association
Mr. Morton stated that he is the President of First State Manufactured Housing Association and
he also represents many of the community owners in the State of Delaware. He brought with him
comments that he would like included in the record (a copy was provided to the Commission).
He can represent to the Commission as an attorney who has been practicing in Delaware for over
35 years that the parts of Mr. Diaz’s presentation that he heard were inconsistent with the law.
This proposed Ordinance is a revision of changes that were passed roughly 18 months ago. They
were stayed by agreement with the City Executive so that interest holders like himself and his
clients could participate in the redrafting. They were told that they would be actively engaged in
redrafting and the first notice that we got of a redraft was roughly 10 days ago that it was
completed and would be heard this evening. This is quite a surprise to those of us who appeared
at a prior time when the first version of this was heard. They have considerable concerns on the
concept of pre-emption. He brought with him a case from the Supreme Court of Delaware that
says these matters are pre-empted by State Law. That the efforts of the Dover City Council and
the Planning Commission; however noble, conflict directly with the expressed provisions in the
Manufactured Housing Act and are therefore unenforceable. He has gone through every single
line of this Ordinance and he has highlighted roughly twenty-five specific examples where it
conflicts with the Manufactured Housing Code. That is why this was stayed by agreement so that
they could go through those to discuss them with the Solicitor. The Solicitor is well aware of
their concerns about the constitutionality of this Ordinance and the enforceability of the
Ordinance. Since he is handing out copies he will not go through every single thing. He will
simply point out two very specific things and then a number of examples. The applicable
Manufactured Housing Code Section 7001 very specifically says that in reference to the
relationship between a landlord and a resident in a manufactured housing community, this Code
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regulates and determines that legal rights, remedies and obligations of all parties to a rental
agreement wherever executed for a lot, a manufactured home and a manufactured home
community within the State. The second provision that is in difficulty with this is the State
Installation Code. It is very specific that it is the only Code governing installations of
manufactured homes. The reason that he points out both of these is that multiple sections of this
proposed Ordinance conflict directly with that. The Supreme Court in Cantinca vs. Montana
back in 2005 referring back to a case in 1965 had made it absolutely clear that the prerogative on
issues of this nature belong to the House and the Senate not to local entities like cities and
counties. The purpose statement for this Ordinance itself clearly conflicts both with the purpose
statement of the State Code and with the specific elements. Your purpose statement says that
“this subchapter applies to rental agreements for manufactured home lots and regulates and
determines legal rights and remedies.” It also references obligations for communications and
other specific issues on maintenance and the like. All of these are specifically referenced in the
State Code under the concept of pre-emption that determines the scope of those. This body is not
authorized, empowered or cannot enforce an Ordinance that tramples on the specific language of
the Manufactured Housing Code. The Manufactured Housing Code also says that sole
enforcement rights of those rights and responsibilities lies with the Attorney General’s Office.
From the beginning to the end, we have great concerns about this. He has written portions in his
comments by line with specific references to the fact that even the definitions that the City has
proposed to use conflict with the long term well recognized definitions in the Manufactured
Housing Code. The Manufactured Housing Code which he calls in this response, sets forth
extensively the maintenance requirements of land community owners such as Wild Meadows
within the City of Dover. It sets forth the responsibilities and the obligations and it also sets forth
the remedies for landlords and tenants in this relationship. They are extensive provisions and
they distinctly define the rights and responsibilities of each party. Under the concept of pre-
emption, you as a City cannot enlarge, decrease or impact of State stated rights and
responsibilities however laudable your concerns might be. In the section of this proposed
Ordinance, it references maintenance responsibilities. Starting with trees, there is specific
contrary language in the State Code that says it does not include any responsibility to do some of
the things that the City would define as being a responsibility of the community owner. Section
7006.13 of the Manufactured Housing Code very specifically references trees and that language
is contrary to the language that the City is proposing. Section 7006.13L defines what a tree is and
the definition is different. Section 7003.24 defines what a utility is and again it conflicts with the
language contained in this proposed Ordinance. Section 66-3 of this proposed Ordinance
conflicts entirely with the pre-empted language of Title 24 Delaware Code Chapter 44 which is
the State Manufactured Installation Code. The reason he points that out is that even the
inspectors for the City must be licensed and be certified by the State Installation Board. Even the
standards are clearly State issued and State controlled that the City’s inspectors use to determine
if an installation has been done properly. Therefore, the City cannot on their own determine what
they think is acceptable or what should be added to the State Code. As he stated earlier, this has
multiple difficulties. He would respectfully suggest that this body do what he was promised
before by the Director before the current Director came into office, which is table it so that they
can have a meaningful discussion as stakeholders on the conflicts so that you don’t spend
unnecessary time proposing language and attempting to put it in place that will result inevitably
in Court conflict. The final comment is regarding the licensing provision for the manufactured
housing community he and his clients found in Subsection E – Provisional Order. This section
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CITY OF DOVER PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 19, 2018
proposes that an unresolved violation issued conceivably by the City as an instant ticket could be
deemed to be a nuisance without any definition of what a nuisance is. The license that you are
required to have to run the community could be revoked or impacted with no meaningful
explanation in the body of this Ordinance as to the need for, the requirement of or the desire to
have a deprivation hearing or due process for the community owner when they have been alleged
to have had a violation. The definition itself under the provision for provisional orders conflicts
directly word for word with the existing State Code. There is absolutely no reason for this to be
in conflict. It’s contrary to the exclusive authority of the State for enforcement of this type of
item and it leads to the impractical result of a community potentially having no license and not
being able to operate as a community when they still have several hundred residents there.
They checked every couple of months with the City Executive asking where this stood and the
City Executive kept saying “we will get back to you.” When Mr. Hugg started working for the
City, they checked with him every couple of months, specifically referencing the fact that they
had a standstill agreement. No one ever denied that they had a standstill agreement and yet no
one ever gave them an opportunity to give the feedback that they are giving tonight which would
have been incredibly helpful in a drafting of an Ordinance within the confines of the concept of
pre-emption.
Mr. Holden stated that Mr. Morton mentioned some Dover communities that would be impacted
by this that he represents. Who are those communities? Responding to Mr. Holden, Mr. Morton
stated that he represents Wild Meadows which is an RHP community. It changed ownership a
couple of months ago. They are one of the five largest ownership groups in the Country. He has a
tentative agreement to represent two of the other three owners, but it’s not signed so he can’t
fully disclose who they are right now. It’s certainly a concern both for those owners and for the
association which represents all owners within the State of Delaware that this has to be
consistent. The reason for pre-emption is so that you don’t have vastly different rules and
regulations in each community. As you can imagine, his view of the hourly requirements for a
manager to be present is considerably different than one that was voiced earlier tonight by one of
the other members because there is nothing in the State Code that requires that. He respectfully
suggests that he doesn’t see any other business where the City requires x number of hours for
somebody who represents that business to be present and open and available for questions.
Certainly, there is no such requirement for apartment complexes at the State level and they have
exactly the same issue of pre-emption with residential apartments.
Mr. Holden stated that City Council held a First Reading of this Ordinance. He asked if Mr.
Morton was able to be present for that? Responding to Mr. Holden, Mr. Morton stated that he
wasn’t even aware that it was going on because they had been told that they would be given
notice before there was even a draft. The first notice that they received was received in his office
on March 1, 2018 from Mr. Hugg indicating that it has already been drafted and that it has
already had a First Reading. He doesn’t think that it is fair or equitable to keep telling them that
they are going to participate and then not let them participate in the meaningful discussion about
the language.
Mr. Holden stated that they (the Planning Commission) had a fair amount of discussion over the
concern over maintenance of common areas and the roadways really being the specific one. He
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CITY OF DOVER PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 19, 2018
asked if Mr. Morton had any commentary regarding that. Responding to Mr. Holden, Mr.
Morton stated that the Code (Delaware Code) has specific language in the section that he cited
that extensively details what the community owner’s responsibilities are including roads which
means that it’s been addressed by the Code. If you follow the logic of his comments, it would
mean that that’s what you have. You can’t, and he means this in the most respectful way
possible, try and impose some additional obligations. That is was pre-emption means.
Mr. Tolbert asked Mr. Morton to state the name of his organization and what his organization
does in respect to this type of housing. Responding to Mr. Tolbert, Mr. Morton stated that we are
the exclusive industry group for manufactured housing communities in the State of Delaware.
It’s called First State Manufactured Housing Association. It was founded in 1995 and has
represented the communities, retailers, vendors and installers in this industry since that time.
They participated in the drafting of the statewide Installation Code. It was approved by the
legislature and became part of the regulations. They participated in the drafting of the
Manufactured Housing Code. He drafted significant portions of that. He was also a chairperson
of the committee that drafted the Residential Landlord Tenant Code. This is not a new era for
him; it’s an era of specialty for his firm and for him personally. His has absolutely no
reservations about the accuracy of his concerns about pre-emption.
Mr. Tolbert stated that Mr. Morton mentioned Wild Meadows and his understanding is that Wild
Meadows is a land lease development. The development next door to it is a mobile home
development where the homes are permanent, but it’s not land lease. Noble’s Pond is also a land
lease operation. Responding to Mr. Tolbert, Mr. Morton stated that Noble’s Pond is not a
manufactured housing community. The State Relocation Trust Authority has already decided that
Noble’s Pond is not a manufactured housing community.
Mr. Tolbert stated that Wild Meadows has asked the State to put a cap on the lease payments that
they can pay and he thinks that the State refused to do that and they have had their hands full
with that battle. Responding to Mr. Tolbert, Mr. Morton stated that one of the City Councilman
is a long-term member of the community at Wild Meadows and has been an advocate for their
issues in the legislature for many years. He would probably tell you that he was solely or
significantly responsible for the imposition of rent justification in manufactured housing
communities. There has been no State imposed limitation on the rent at Wild Meadows and we
are half way through the required arbitration procedure for this year’s rent with the homeowner’s
association for Wild Meadows tenants. They have had multiple ones of those and they have been
quite successful in the court on those issues.
Dr. Jones stated that Mr. Morton referenced a case. Is it in the information that was provided?
Responding to Dr. Jones, Mr. Morton stated that it is attached to the master copy and is
specifically referenced and cited in the case. It is also a case that the City Solicitor is well aware
of and has been since before this first version was passed eighteen months ago.
Ms. Maucher questioned if there are other stakeholders that should be informed of this process
aside from your association such as representing particularly tenants in these types of
communities? Responding to Ms. Maucher, Mr. Morton stated that he is fairly certain that
Councilman Neil has notified all tenant advocacy groups of this pending Ordinance. He can tell
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CITY OF DOVER PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 19, 2018
you that the board of the First State Manufactured Housing Association is aware and all four
owners of the communities located within the City limits are aware of it. The Association itself is
considering the possibility of funding any litigation if we can’t have something worked out that
will benefit everyone. They want to be at the table to discuss this. That is what they thought the
deal was from the very beginning.
Mr. Tolbert closed the public hearing.
Mr. Holden stated that he thinks they had landed at some concerns that they aren’t quite able to
address without the City Solicitor’s input to understand the legality of the path forward and the
legality of trying to assure that their concerns will be addressed. Further, they are faced with a
legal opinion shared that contravenes what the Ordinance is trying to get done. It seems like
tabling the Ordinance to allow Staff and the City Solicitor time to give these comments some
thought and address them. It seems like a reasonable path forward.
Ms. Maucher moved to table MI-18-03 Text Amendments: Manufactured Housing and Land
Lease Communities (Dover Code of Ordinances, Chapter 66 and Zoning Ordinance, Article 3,
Section 8 and Article 12) in order to meet with the interested parties and the City Solicitor to
ensure that it complies with the State Law and it’s not over reaching, seconded by Mr. Holt and
the motion was carried 8-0 by roll call vote with Mr. Tolbert recused. Mr. Holden voting yes;
due to the large number of outstanding questions. Mr. Roach voting yes. Ms. Edwards voting
yes; for the reasons previously stated. Mr. Holt voting yes; to try to address all of our concerns
before we tackle this problem again. Mr. Baldwin voting yes; for all of the reasons stated. Dr.
Jones voting yes; for all of the reasons stated and to make sure that we are in compliance. Mrs.
Welsh voting yes; due to all of the outstanding issues and in order to ensure that the issues are
addressed before the application is brought back to the Planning Commission. Ms. Maucher
voting yes; to ensure that there is sufficient input into the City Ordinance.
1) Update on Appointment of the Architectural Review Oversight Subcommittee of Planning
Commission (in accordance with Zoning Ordinance, Article 10 §2.28)
Mrs. Melson-Williams stated that she has no new information to report on that. They are still
seeking the confirmation from the two individuals that had previously served on the
Subcommittee: Mrs. Kieffer and Dr. Chandler. Staff has reached out to them but they have not
heard back from them as of this afternoon. They will continue to work on that.
Meeting adjourned at 8:14 PM.
Sincerely,
Kristen Mullaney
Secretary
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MI-18-03 Text Amendments: Manufactured Housing and Land Lease
Communities (Dover Code of Ordinances, Chapter 66 and Zoning Ordinance,
Article 3, Section 8 and Article 12) – The Planning Commission on March 19,
2018 tabled action on the Review of Proposed Ordinance #2018-01 of Text
Amendments to the Dover Code of Ordinances, Chapter 66 - Manufactured
Homes, Mobile Homes, and Lend Lease Communities; to Zoning Ordinance,
Article 3, Section 8- Manufactured Housing (MH) Zone; and to Zoning
Ordinance, Article 12- Definitions.
• The proposed ordinance reorganizes and clarifies a portion of the updates to the
Dover Code made in August 2016 through Ordinance #2016-16. The proposed
ordinance also brings the updates into compliance with provisions of the Delaware
Code related to manufactured housing and rental housing, particularly Title 25,
Chapters 53, 55, 70, and 71. The updates affected include requirements for placing
and licensing manufactured homes, standards for management and maintenance of
land lease communities, taxation, and code enforcement. A distinction is also
made between manufactured homes and permanently placed manufactured homes
in the Zoning Ordinance.
• A copy of the Proposed Ordinance #2018-01 is available on the City’s website
www.cityofdover.com under the Government Heading: Ordinances, Resolutions &
Tributes. https://www.cityofdover.com/ordinances-and-resolutions
• The Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee reviewed the proposed
Text Amendments on February 13, 2018 and the First Reading before City
Council occurred on February 26, 2018. The Public Hearing before the Planning
Commission was scheduled for March 19, 2018 and Public Hearing and Final
Reading before City Council was scheduled on April 9, 2018.
• The Planning Commission began review of the Proposed Ordinance #2018-01 at
their March 19, 2018 meeting and conducted a Public Hearing. The Planning
Commission took action to table the Application seeking additional information.
o A Report on the Planning Commission’s Public Hearing and action to
table this application was forwarded to City Council for their meeting of
April 9, 2018. The agenda for the City Council Meeting of April 9, 2018
notes a recommendation to Postpone the Public Hearing and Final
Reading of Proposed Ordinance #2018-01.
o Planning Staff is working on the information requested by the Planning
Commission; continued review is anticipated at a future meeting.
Page 16
Appointment of the Architectural Review Oversight Subcommittee of
Planning Commission
As part of the Annual Meeting of the Planning Commission, one of the responsibilities of the
Planning Commission is to appoint the Architectural Review Oversight Subcommittee. The
following excerpt from the Zoning Ordinance is provided.
Appendix B: Zoning Ordinance, Article 10 Section 2. Site development plan approval.
2.28 Consideration shall be given to the physical orientation and architectural characteristics
of proposed buildings, the relationship of proposed buildings to existing buildings and to
other proposed buildings, and their contributions to the overall image of the immediate
vicinity by considering the building and architectural design guidelines as set forth in article
5, section 19. Design characteristics of proposed buildings and building additions shall not
detract or devalue existing buildings in the immediate vicinity.
(A) If the planning commission determines that the proposed physical orientation and
architectural characteristics of the proposed buildings do not meet the intent and
objectives of this section, then the planning commission shall refer the proposal to
the architectural review oversight subcommittee for review and comment.
(B) The subcommittee shall meet and review the proposal with the applicant, and return
its comments to the planning commission by the next regularly scheduled meeting.
(C) The architectural review oversight subcommittee shall be appointed by the
commission at its annual meeting, and membership shall consist of two planning
commission members, and two design professionals with experience in construction,
and the mayor or the mayor's designee. Two alternate design professionals with
experience in construction shall also be appointed.
As part of the Annual Meeting of the Planning Commission shall appoint the membership of the
Architectural Review Oversight Subcommittee. This is an opportunity to consider individuals to
serve on this subcommittee.
At the Annual Meeting of the Planning Commission on December 18, 2017, the following
individuals were appointed to the Architectural Review Oversight Subcommittee of Planning
Commission.
o Kathleen Welsh, Planning Commission member
o Dean Holden, Planning Commission member
o Mayor or Mayor’s designee
The Planning Commission directed Planning Staff to contact other the previous Subcommittee
members to determine their willingness to continue as a member.
o Ms. Sarah Keifer, Director of Planning Services for Kent County, Design Professional
o Dr. R.G. Chandler, former Director of Architecture at DelTech Community College,
Design Professional
o Alternates (Design Professionals): To Be Determined
Update on Architectural Review Oversight Subcommittee of the Planning Commission 2-9-2018
Page 17
Guidance for
Incorporating Health
into the City of Dover’s
Comprehensive Plan
Prepared by Planning4Health Solutions, November 2017
Page 18
Delaware Plan4Health
Acknowledgements
Delaware Chapter of the
American Planning Association
www.delawareapa.org
Delaware Academy of Medicine/
Delaware Public Health Association
www.delamed.org
Delaware Coalition for Healthy
Eating and Active Living (DE HEAL)
www.deheal.org
Table of Contents Planning4Health Solutions
www.planning4healthsolutions.com
CRJA-IBI Group
www.crja.com
1 Overview ..............................................................................................3
Introduction - Plan4Health 3
Guidance Document Purpose 3
Planning and Public Health 4
Health Challenges 4
2 Principles for Incorporating Health into Dover’s Comprehensive Plan ......5
The Seven Core Principles 5
3 Recommendations for Dover’s Comprehensive Plan Update ....................7
Summary of Recommendations 7 Figures
Introduction 8 12 Figure 1. Dover - Proposed Bicycle
Network
Population, Development and Employment Trends 8
14 Figure 2. Saulsbury Park -
Citizen Participation 9 Conceptual Plan
Natural Resources and Environmental Protection 9 14 Figure 3. Saulsbury Park - Bird's
Public Utilities and Infrastructure 10 Eye Perspective
Community Services and Facilities 10
Transportation 11
Economic Development 14
Housing 15
Land Development 16
Intergovernmental Coordination 17
Implementation 17
Appendix ...............................................................................................18
Dover Comprehensive Plan Guidance Page 2
Page 19
Delaware Plan4Health
DE Plan4Health: Tools
Resident Survey: The Dover and Kent
County resident survey captures self-
reported information and perceptions
1 | Overview regarding physical activity and eating
patterns
Geospatial Analyses: The equity
composite, retail food environment,
park density and active transportation
Introduction - Plan4Health density maps summarize data from the
U.S. Census Bureau, State of Delaware,
In 2016 the Delaware Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) was the City of Dover, and Kent County. The
awarded a Plan4Health grant to combat two determinants of chronic disease—lack of maps illustrate priority areas in terms
physical activity and access to nutritious foods. Their project, Delaware Plan4Health, of: health equity; healthy food access;
brought together the Delaware Chapter of the APA and the Delaware Public Health park and open space access; and active
Association (DPHA) to work with the Delaware Coalition for Healthy Eating and transportation networks, respectively.
Active Living (DE HEAL) on integrating health equity into future planning efforts in Scorecard - Plan Review: The
the City of Dover and Kent County. Scorecard summarizes an in-
Delaware Plan4Health used surveying, geospatial analysis, document review and depth review of the City of Dover’s
Comprehensive Plan and the Kent
community charrettes to understand community health issues and how they may be
County Comprehensive Plan, providing
addressed (see Appendix). Based on their findings, the Delaware Plan4Health team a measure of how well written plans
developed a series of recommendations for incorporating healthy living into Dover’s integrate key modern public health
comprehensive plan update. The comprehensive plan update, scheduled for 2019, is an concepts.
opportunity to benefit public health by codifying elements into the plan that support
Community Design Charrettes:
healthy communities.
Charrettes are public/stakeholder
engagement exercises that often involve
Guidance Document Purpose visioning project designs and community
plans. Dover’s charrette included
The purpose of this guidance document is to aid the City of Dover Department of community stakeholders, city planners
Planning and Inspection in integrating health and equity concepts into the upcoming and members of the public in reviewing
comprehensive plan update. This document contains recommendations to strengthen maps and data, identifying community
the plan with regard to public health. It is hoped that the Planning Department, priorities, and developing actionable
the Planning Commission, the City Council and the public will consider these strategies.
recommendations for the comprehensive plan update with the goal of impacting a See Appendix for information about these
healthier future. tools and their findings.
Dover Comprehensive Plan Guidance Page 3
Page 20
Overview Delaware Plan4Health
Planning and Public Health Comprehensive Plans
Today there is a broad understanding that better planning for our neighborhoods Comprehensive plans are policy guides
for a city or county’s long-range
and communities can positively influence many factors that affect people’s health:
development. They anticipate and
land use patterns; air and water quality; urban design; transportation; and parks respond to population change and other
and recreational facilities to name a few. Given that comprehensive plans touch challenges by proposing strategies to
on so many aspects of a community, they offer a unique opportunity to holistically meet transportation, utilities, land-use,
promote healthy eating and physical activity - and prevent overweight/obesity housing, recreation, community facilities,
and chronic health conditions - by proposing modifications to built and social and economic development goals.
environments. Specifically, the comprehensive plan can, and should, address public
health by encouraging the city to grow and develop in a way that provides residents
opportunities to be physically active and have access to high quality, healthy foods in
their neighborhoods.
Health Challenges1
Like so many other communities, obesity is a major challenge in Dover and Kent
County. Kent County is the most obese county in Delaware, with one third of all
adults in the county having obesity2. Being overweight or obese can lead to chronic
diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, hypertension and some cancers.
Kent County ranks last in terms of length of life, quality of life, health behaviors, and
clinical care. Cancer and heart disease are the leading causes of death in those under
75 years of age3.
Physical inactivity and poor nutrition are risk factors for overweight/obesity, and
chronic diseases. Physical inactivity is high (28%) and access to exercise opportunities
is relatively low (69%) in Kent County2. And while food security and access to healthy
food levels were on par with the state average2, our mapping indicates there are
geographic disparities in terms of healthy food retail. Half of all Census Tracts (8 of
16) in Dover are considered food deserts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture4.
In terms of equity, Kent County ranks last in social and economic factors2. Median
household income ($56,000) is lower than the state average ($61,000), and a relatively
high proportion of children live in poverty (21%)2. Dover is more diverse than Kent
County and Delware as a whole, with over half of residents identifying as non-white,
and 42% of residents identifying as black4. Communities that are low income and
communities of color may be at elevated risk for overweight/obesity and certain
chronic diseases.
1
Limited data are available publicly for
municipalities smaller than counties.
2
Source: County Health Rankings, 2017
3
Source: CDC WONDER (primary), County
Health Rankings, 2017 (secondary)
4
Various data sources accessed through
Community Commons
Dover Comprehensive Plan Guidance Page 4
Page 21
Delaware Plan4Health
2 | Principles for Incorporating The Seven Core Principles
1. Guided by health equity
Health into Dover’s Comprehensive 2. Mobility for all modes of
transportation
Plan 3. Recognize health value of park
system
4. Community facilities to support
Principle 1 - Health Equity | let health equity guide the planning process health
• Use health data and mapping to evaluate community health needs and 5. Healthy food systems planning
opportunities 6. Economic value of healthy
communities
• When drafting plan chapters, goals and policies, consider health data and
maps, and policy systems and environmental change strategies 7. Compact, mixed-use, place-based
land use
Principle 2 - Transportation | promote all transportation modes and prioritize
mobility
• Prioritize active transportation (walking, biking and transit)
• Planning for automobiles should not come at the expense of pedestrians,
cyclists and transit
Principle 3 - Parks and Recreation | let community health needs guide parks
and recreation planning
• Evaluate the entire park system (not just individual park facilities),
identifying “park deserts” and assessing adequacy of existing facilities
• Improve access to parks, particularly pedestrian and bicycle access
• Provide for programming and a range of recreational activities for all ages
and abilities
• Promote passive recreation and trails in natural areas
Principle 4 - Community Facilities | provide facilities that help keep people
healthy
• Identify public and private sector facilities that contribute to healthy
communities (e.g. libraries, schools, health care facilities)
• Explore opportunities to leverage these facilities and their associated
programs/activities to improve health
Principle 5 - Food Systems | promote a vibrant agricultural industry that
focuses on rural and urban agriculture
• Strongly focus on maintaining a viable agricultural industry
• Promote urban agriculture and gardening in neighborhoods as a means to
expand access to fresh, healthy food
Dover Comprehensive Plan Guidance Page 5
Page 22
Principles for Incorporating Health Delaware Plan4Health
Principle 6 - Economic Development | emphasize strategies to alleviate
poverty and improve employment opportunities while expanding healthy
food retail
• Evaluate opportunities to expand healthy food retail
• Build the business case for and support healthy food retailers
• Incorporate farmers markets, produce carts, mobile markets and other
initiatives into an economic development strategy for healthy food retail
• Generally, emphasize strategies that alleviate poverty, and improve
employment opportunities and quality of life, particularly for disadvantaged
groups
Principle 7 - Land Use | create compact, walkable, mixed-use, vibrant
communities
• Synergize transportation strategies with land use planning to promote
walkable and bikable places
• Emphasize proximity and accessibility of parks and community facilities to
neighborhoods
• Promote community gardening in neighborhoods
• Provide for a range of housing types and prices
• Encourage place-making and community cohesion, and create places people
want to live, work and play
Dover Comprehensive Plan Guidance Page 6
Page 23
Delaware Plan4Health
3 | Recommendations for Dover’s
Comprehensive Plan Update
Introduction Recommendation 1. Integrate health and equity into goals, including transportation and
land development goals
Population, Recommendation 2. Include relevant health and demographic data and discussion of
Development and
Employment Trends trends
Citizen Participation Recommendation 3. Leverage participation strategies to promote health and equity
Natural Resources Recommendation 4. Include health benefits of accessing nature, natural areas and open
space
Recommendation 5. Promote public access to the City’s natural resources
Public Utilities and Recommendation 6. Include language about health implications of public utilities and
Infrastructure
infrastructure
Community Services and Recommendation 7. Restructure the chapter to emphasize community services and
Facilities
facilities, and their abilities to promote health
Recommendation 8. Leverage capital projects for health
Transportation Recommendation 9. Emphasize bicycle, pedestrian and transit modes, focusing on
mobility, equity and health
Recommendation 10. Support the expansion and improvement of transit services
Recommendation 11. Support the expansion of facilities that encourage walking
Recommendation 12. Improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity between schools,
senior housing, other institutions and points of interest
Recommendation 13. Explore opportunities to designate Safe Routes to Schools, Safe
Routes for Seniors and Safe Routes to Parks
Recommendation 14. Address connectivity gaps in the existing Pedestrian Trail System
Economic Development Recommendation 15. Pursue economic development linked to active recreation
Recommendation 16. Pursue economic development linked to improved healthy food
access
Recommendation 17. Promote inclusive workforce development programs, strategies
and partnerships, especially for disadvantaged groups
Housing Recommendation 18. Articulate the link between housing and health
Land Development Recommendation 19. Promote mixed-use development near targeted residential areas
Recommendation 20. Explore a Healthy Food Zone around schools and/or places
populated by youth
Recommendation 21. Promote shared-use, temporary-use and adaptive reuse of
properties for parks and community space
Intergovernmental Recommendation 22. Encourage coordination among agencies to foster healthier
Coordination
communities
Implementation Recommendation 23. Ensure all communities are on-track to achieving community
health goals
Dover Comprehensive Plan Guidance Page 7
Page 24
Recommendations for the Comp Plan Delaware Plan4Health
The following recommendations are organized by the chapter from the 2009 Example Indicators for Kent
comprehensive plan for which they are most relevant. Recommendations provide County6
example goals, actions and text (in italics) to include in the updated comprehensive
plan, and other ideas for incorporating health principles. Healthy Food Access
22% - Low Food Access (Dover: 24%)
19% - Low Income/Low Food Access (Dover: 20%)
Introduction 79% - Inadequate Fruit/Vegetable Consumption
13% - Food Insecurity (Dover: 13%)
13 - Food desert Census Tracts (Dover: 8)
The current Introduction chapter orients readers to Dover and articulates goals of the
55 per 100K - Fast Food Restaurants (Dover: 55 per 100K)
plan. The chapter update should integrate health and equity concepts into the goals it 15 per 100K - Grocery Stores (Dover: 15 per 100K)
espouses, particularly the transportation and land development goals.
Physical Activity
Recommendation 1 | Integrate health and equity into goals, including 4% - Biking or Walking to Work
transportation and land development goals 27% - Physical Inactivity
The below example language that describe determinants of health and health equity should be integrated into 9 per 100K - Recreation/Fitness Facility Access
the Introduction chapter.
Health Outcomes
Health status is influenced by a range of personal, social, economic and environmental factors. Built environment 33% - Obesity (+37% Overweight)
factors influence our ability to engage in healthy behaviors, like regular physical activity and healthy eating 12% - Diabetes
habits, as well as safety and economic opportunities where we live, work and play. To achieve health equity, the 15% - Asthma
attainment of the highest level of health for all people, we must eliminate obstacles to health, particularly for 15% - Poor or Fair General Health
groups with socioeconomic disadvantages. Using a lens of health equity, we can take a targeted approach to
Employment, Housing,
improving transportation, land use and other built environment factors that influence health.
Transportation, Etc.
The following language can be used for new transportation equity and health-enhancing land development 5% - Unemployment (Dover: 5%)
goals. 34% - Substandard Housing
34% - Housing Cost Burden: 30% (Dover: 40%)
Transportation Equity: Promote a complete and comprehensive transportation system that enhances safety, 3% - Public Transportation Use
prioritizes mobility and accessibility for all users, emphasizes connectivity, minimizes environmental impacts and 18% - Lack of Social or Emotional Support
encourages community cohesion.
Health-Enhancing Land Development: Emphasize land development strategies that enhance community
health by improving access to fresh and healthy foods, creating opportunities for physical activity, minimizing
environmental impacts, and prioritizing equity and inclusion.
Population, Development and Employment Trends
The Population, Development and Employment Trends chapter identifies trends and
economic characteristics of Dover. The chapter update should include relevant health
and demographic data and a discussion of trends.
Recommendation 2 | Include relevant health and demographic data and
discussion of trends
The below language that explains health inequities and disparities should be integrated into the Population,
Development and Employment Trends chapter.
When health outcomes differ by income, race/ethnicity and other social determinants, we observe health
disparities. For example, we see health disparities in terms of race with African-Americans having a higher risk
for developing Type 2 Diabetes. We also see health disparities by income with low-income families less likely
to have access to healthy, affordable foods, thus increasing their risk for chronic conditions, such as obesity,
diabetes, and hypertension. By identifying equity priority areas, planners and policy-makers can focus efforts in 5
Limited data are available publicly for
these areas to improve health outcomes. municipalities smaller than counties.
Gather up-to-date data for Kent County and Dover, as available5, to describe community health characteristics. 6
Various data sources accessed through
Community Commons
Example indicators are given at right.
Dover Comprehensive Plan Guidance Page 8
Page 25
Recommendations for the Comp Plan Delaware Plan4Health
Citizen Participation Health Priorities
The Citizen Participation chapter7 describes the public-engaged process used to Residents who participated in
Plan4Health suggested various
develop the comprehensive plan. With the plan update, it is recommended that public
strategies for improving physical activity
and stakeholder engagement efforts address health and equity. levels and access to healthy foods.
Participants were in favor of produce
Recommendation 3 | Leverage participation strategies to promote carts and healthy corner stores to
health and equity improve access to affordable produce
There are many ways to solicit feedback from the public about health concerns and priorities, including in residential neighborhoods, among
interviewing key informants, conducting focus groups with residents, facilitating charrettes and workshops, other strategies to improve healthy food
and surveying the public. Health priorities identified through Delaware Plan4Health are given at right. Public access. Participants were also in favor
engagement activities commensurate with the comprehensive plan update should be leveraged to understand of improving pedestrian and bicycle
facilities to support physical activity.
community health needs and opportunities, and promote public health. See Appendix for example tools.
Natural Resources and Environmental Protection
The Natural Resources and Environmental Protection chapter includes information
about Dover’s natural resources, including land and water, and recommends actions
that the City should take to protect them. The chapter update should include a
discussion of the health benefits of accessing natural resources, and a new goal to
improve public access to Dover’s natural resources.
Recommendation 4 | Include health benefits of accessing nature, natural
areas and open space
Include the following language to describe the link between nature and health.
Open space and outdoor recreation areas can improve physical and mental health by: providing opportunities for
physical activity (e.g. walking, biking, sports) and community gatherings; reducing stress and depression; and
improving cognition in adults and behavioral issues in children. Ensuring good access to outdoor recreation areas
and their amenities will help maximize the potential public health benefit of the City’s natural resources.
Recommendation 5 | Promote public access to the City’s natural resources
The following language can be used for a new goal to improve access to nature.
Access to Nature: Modify the City Code to eliminate/minimize barriers to public access of the City’s natural
resources, and support policy amendments and programming to improve access and utilization. The following
specific actions to increase public access to nature are recommended:
• Evaluate the City Code and other policies, identifying those that potentially limit public access to nature
(e.g. parking requirements, use restrictions)
• Improve pedestrian, bicycle and transit networks to parks and natural areas
• Explore new opportunities for parks and open space
• Support programs that promote access to nature (e.g. environmental education programs, Scouts
programs)
7
To be more inclusive, it is recommended that
the name of this chapter be changed to Public
Participation, Community Engagement, or
something comparable.
Dover Comprehensive Plan Guidance Page 9
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Recommendations for the Comp Plan Delaware Plan4Health
Public Utilities and Infrastructure
The Public Utilities and Infrastructure chapter describes the City’s water, wastewater
and electric utilities and stormwater sewer system, and promulgates recommendations
and goals for these systems. The chapter update should articulate the public health
benefits and implications of these systems.
Recommendation 6 | Include language about health implications of public
utilities and infrastructure
The following language to describe the link between public utilities and health should be included.
Water, energy and their infrastructure play important roles in keeping the public healthy. Water quality
requirements like source protection and chlorination exist to prevent contamination of our water supplies and
ensure its quality for drinking and other uses. Energy powers our homes, workplaces, schools, hospitals and
other critical facilities, keeping us safe and healthy. However, certain energy sources (i.e. fossil fuels, coal) also
contribute significantly to air pollution and other environmental impacts that are deleterious to public health.
Community Services and Facilities
The Community Services and Facilities chapter discusses the City’s various services
and facilities, including public safety, parks and recreation, as well as public education
and healthcare. There are many connections between the discussed services and
facilities, and health that could be better emphasized by restructuring the chapter
and adding health-related content. Further, it is recommended that the City seek
opportunities to expand park and community space, and leverage future capital
projects for health.
Recommendation 7 | Restructure the chapter to emphasize community Active Transportation
services and facilities, and their abilities to promote health Active transportation refers to walking,
The Community Services and Facilities chapter should be restructured, with Parks and Recreation, and Library bicycling and transit use. Prioritizing
Services sections that describe their health benefits, and recommended actions to maximize these benefits. these transportation modes enables
Sample text is provided below. residents to integrate physical activity
into their daily lives. Increased levels of
Parks and Recreation: Parks and recreation facilities are important public health resources that confer certain physical activity that result from active
physical and mental health benefits, and enhance wellbeing and quality of life. Parks provide opportunities for transportation help reduce/prevent
a spectrum of structured and unstructured physical activities for people of all ages, including trails; playground overweight/obesity, Type II diabetes and
equipment; and sports facilities (e.g. fields, courts, pools). They are natural gathering places that promote other chronic diseases, and minimize
community connectivity and cohesion. Greenspace helps mitigate air and water pollution, and reduce heat healthcare costs.
island effects which can impact public health. The following strategies are recommended for maximizing public
health benefits of parks and recreation facilities:
Active Recreation
• Complete Parks and Recreation Master Plan
• Improve active transportation networks to parks, open space and natural areas Active recreation refers to physical
• Explore opportunities for new parks and trails activities like walking, running, bicycling,
• Support programming for parks and recreation facilities for all ages and abilities kayaking, swimming, playing sports
and other physical activities done
for recreational purposes. Increased
physical activity that results from
active recreation supports active
lifestyles which can reduce/prevent
overweight/obesity, Type II diabetes and
other chronic diseases, and minimize
healthcare costs.
Dover Comprehensive Plan Guidance Page 10
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Recommendations for the Comp Plan Delaware Plan4Health
Library Services: Libraries are information and community hubs. They provide vital community services and Local Food Hub
resources with a range of public health benefits. These include: literacy and employment assistance programs
Food hubs link local producers with
that develop the workforce; daytime programs that engage youth and seniors who may be vulnerable to social networks for distribution to local
isolation; and health-focused classes on diabetes management, cooking and exercise. During very hot and very consumers. Hubs typically manage
cold weather, libraries can become designated cooling or warming centers for those most vulnerable to impacts aggregation, distribution and marketing
of extreme weather (i.e. seniors and people experiencing homelessness) and they may function as shelters in of food products. Both private and
the event of a disaster. Libraries are able to partner with schools, parks and recreation, nonprofits and others to public-private partnership food hub
provide programs and services that address community health issues. The following strategies are recommended models exist. Local food distribution
for maximizing public health benefits of libraries: hubs have the potential to source
• Improve active transportation networks to libraries local produce for schools and other
institutions, healthy corner stores,
• Collaborate with and support library programs, including: education and workforce development
mobile markets, produce carts and local
programs; daytime programs for youth and seniors; health focused classes (e.g. diabetes management,
food retailers.
healthy cooking, exercise)
• Encourage the use of libraries as cooling and warming centers, and shelters
• Support collaborative initiatives between libraries, public health agencies, schools and others to
support community health
Public Safety and Community Services: A new Public Safety and Community Services chapter would address
public safety functions and other vital community services not offered by the city. The chapter would include
information about: police, fire and emergency management services; schools, universities and other educational
organizations; and hospitals, clinics and other healthcare providers, and the public health benefits they provide.
Police, fire and emergency management help keep our communities safe and secure. Schools provide educations
that open doors to opportunities and build the workforce of tomorrow. Healthcare facilities are involved in
preventive and primary healthcare.
Recommendation 8 | Leverage capital projects for health
Include the following new goal to maximize the potential health benefits of capital projects and investments.
Maximize Health Benefits of Capital Projects and Investments: Future investments and capital projects
can be leveraged to promote health through the following:
• Prioritize projects that address gaps in community health resources, including parks and trails, and a
food distribution hub
• Require or incentivize projects to incorporate design features that support public health, including
pedestrian, bicycle and transit facilities, green infrastructure and community-accessible space
Transportation
The Transportation chapter describes Dover’s transportation system, travel patterns,
and roadway classification, and it assesses future transportation needs. The chapter
update should more strongly emphasize bicycle, pedestrian and transit modes (i.e.
active transportation) which promote physical activity and health equity.
Recommendation 9 | Emphasize bicycle, pedestrian and transit modes,
focusing on mobility, equity and health
The updated chapter should consider bicycle, pedestrian and transit modes as equally important to automobiles.
In recent years, there have been significant efforts to improve pedestrian and bicycle networks across Delaware,
improving mobility and transportation equity. The updated chapter should be expanded to reflect these
improvements. See Page 12 for a Proposed Bicycle Network for Dover, developed through Delaware Plan4Health.
Dover Comprehensive Plan Guidance Page 11
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Recommendations for the Comp Plan Delaware Plan4Health
Proposed Bicycle Network
Figure 1. Proposed Bicycle Network
Dover Comprehensive Plan Guidance Page 12
Page 29
Recommendations for the Comp Plan Delaware Plan4Health
Recommendation 10 | Support the expansion and improvement of transit
services
Include the following new goal to expand and improve transit services.
Expand and Improve Transit Service: In collaboration with DART, enhance transit connections between
neighborhoods and employment centers, institutions, commercial areas, schools and recreational facilities-
particularly neighborhoods with large transit-dependent populations such as retirement, nursing and group-
living facilities and economically disadvantaged areas. Enhancing transit shelters and increasing stops increases
mobility, improves the transit experience and makes transit use more appealing. The following specific actions to
support the expansion and improvement of transit services are recommended:
• Support the addition of new transit stops
• Enhance existing transit stops with good pedestrian and bicycle facilities
• Build transit shelters that protect riders from inclement weather
• Advocate for more frequent and reliable transit service to attract and retain ridership
• Support improved transit routes to the Capitol Area from North/South and East/West
Recommendation 11 | Support the expansion of facilities that encourage
walking
Include the following new goal to improve pedestrian facilities.
Improve pedestrian facilities: Support the expansion of transportation facilities that make walking an
attractive and accessible form of transportation for all, especially for children, elders and people with disabilities.
The following specific actions to support the expansion of facilities that encourage walking are recommended:
• Install seating, benches and other street furniture
• Ensure adequate street lighting is provided
• Address gaps in sidewalk connectivity
• Support the maintenance of sidewalks
• Ensure ADA compliance for sidewalks and crosswalks
• Improve pedestrian crossings
Recommendation 12 | Improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity between Converting Saulsbury Park
schools, senior housing, other institutions and points of interest Saulsbury Park, located in the City of
Include the following new goal to improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to neighborhoods. See Page 12 Dover, is an opportunity to support
for a Proposed Bicycle Network for Dover. active transportation by improving
connectivity between Simon Circle, a
Improve Pedestrian and Bicycle Connectivity to Neighborhoods: Improve pedestrian, bicycle and transit low-income, publicly-subsidized housing
connectivity between neighborhoods and points of interest, like schools, neighborhood centers and healthcare development, and a nearby commercial
facilities, particularly for transit-dependent groups, including seniors, youth and people with disabilities. The area with a grocery store. The Saulsbury
following specific actions are recommended: Park site is currently maintained as an
open field. During the charrette, the
• Use analyses of sidewalk and bicycle connectivity to prioritize actions field was conceptually transformed
• Encourage the development of complete neighborhoods into a park, connecting the adjacent
• Improve way-finding, and designate key walking routes neighborhood and shopping center,
and providing recreation space with
playgrounds, basketball courts, and a
trail. See Page 14 for renderings of the
proposed Saulsbury Park.
Dover Comprehensive Plan Guidance Page 13
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Recommendations for the Comp Plan Delaware Plan4Health
Saulsbury Park HA
YE
JAWD DRIVE
S
LE
RC
SHADE TREES, TYP.
NEIGHBORHOOD CI
FLOWERING TREES, TYP. TO HEAD START TELAMON
MEDITATIVE SPACE, TYP.
CONCRETE SIDEWALK, TYP. WATER FEATURE, TYP.
TO CVS
ADULT PLAYGROUND, TYP.
WILDFLOWER GARDENS, TYP. NEIGHBORHOOD
EVERGREEN SCREEN, TYP. CONNECTION
CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND, TYP.
BASKETBALL COURTS, TYP.
BICYCLE PARKING PICNIC PAVILION, TYP.
MULTI-USE TRAIL;
CONNECTS TO RESIDENTIAL
COMMUNITY GARDEN, TYP.
LAWN/
RECREATION
SCREEN
PLANTING
PARK ENTRY COLUMNS
SHADE TREES, TYP.
IMPROVED CROSSWALKS, TYP.
EXISTING
PARK ENTRY COLUMNS SIDEWALK, TYP.
D
IMPROVED CROSSWALKS, S SAULSBURY ROA LIT SAFETY BOLLARDS SAFE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING, TYP.
TYP.
TO GATEWAY WEST
SHOPPING CENTER WITH
GROCERY STORE
Figure 2. Saulsbury Park - Conceptual Plan
SAULSBURY PARK- Conceptual Plan
Dover, DE December 31, 2016 0 10’ 20’ 40’ 100’
VEHICULAR AND
E
BICYCLE PARKING DRIV
JAWD
BASKETBALL NEIGHBORHOOD MEDITATIVE
COURTS CONNECTION SPACE
CHILDREN’S
PLAYGROUND
PICNIC
PAVILION
ADULT SHADE TREES
PLAYGROUND COMMUNITY
LAWN/ GARDEN
RECREATION
EXISTING
SIDEWALK
PEDESTRIAN
LIGHTING
STREET
LIGHTING
SS MULTI-USE
AU TRAIL
LSB
URY PARK ENTRY
RO COLUMNS
AD
LIT SAFETY
Figure 3. Saulsbury Park - Bird's Eye Perspective BOLLARDS
SAULSBURY PARK- Bird’s Eye Perspective
Dover, DE December 31, 2016
Dover Comprehensive Plan Guidance Page 14
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Recommendations for the Comp Plan Delaware Plan4Health
Recommendation 13 | Explore opportunities to designate Safe Routes to Safe Routes to Schools
Schools, Safe Routes for Seniors and Safe Routes to Parks Safe Routes to School initiatives map
The following recommendation for Safe Routes should be included. walking and biking routes from nearby
neighborhoods to schools, and address
Promote Safe Routes: Explore opportunities to designate Safe Routes to Schools, Safe Routes for Seniors and safety hazards along the designated
Safe Routes to Parks, and support programming efforts to encourage their use. The following specific actions are routes. Unsafe roads and crossings,
recommended: disconnected sidewalks and bike lanes,
and dangerous traffic conditions are
• Identify current Safe Routes programs and evaluate deficiencies
concerns for parents/guardians when
• Conduct a community-engaged process to designate new Safe Routes and develop their programming
deciding how their children get to and
• Promote and support Safe Routes programs from school. Safe Routes to School
initiatives create safer environments for
Recommendation 14 | Address connectivity gaps in the existing Pedestrian walking or biking to school and in nearby
neighborhoods, thereby removing a
Trail System significant obstacle to physical activity
Include the below new goal to enhance connectivity of the existing Pedestrian Trail System. for youth and families. Safe Routes to
School initiatives often also include
Enhance Connectivity of the Existing Pedestrian Trail System: Continue to maintain and address
encouragement strategies like creating
connectivity gaps in the existing Pedestrian Trail System. The following specific actions are recommended:
walking school buses, weekly walks,
• Evaluate gaps and deficiencies contests and other incentives to motivate
• Explore opportunities to develop new parks and greenspace, including temporary and pocket parks, youth and families. A wealth of resources
along the existing Pedestrian Trail System exist for communities to take up Safe
Routes to School initiatives, including the
State of Delaware Safe Routes to School
Economic Development Program, Safe Routes to School National
Partnership and SafeKids.
The Economic Development chapter discusses Dover’s major economic drivers
and key sectors. Many community amenities that benefit health, such as bicycle
and pedestrian improvements, and parks and open space, also make communities
attractive from an economic development perspective. The chapter update should
promote economic development that is linked to active transportation/recreation, and
healthy food access. The chapter update should also highlight economic development
strategies that promote equity.
Recommendation 15 | Pursue economic development linked to active
recreation
Include the following new goal to promote business entrepreneurship linked with active transportation/
recreation.
Business Entrepreneurship and Active Recreation: Promote business entrepreneurship linked with Dover’s
trails, parks, natural areas and other active recreation resources. Entrepreneurship may take many forms,
including retail, tour operators, concessions, and maintenance services. The following specific actions are
recommended.
• Contract with local businesses to provide services, such as maintenance and concessions services, to
City-owned park and recreation facilities
• Identify opportunities to use parks and trails as catalysts for economic development, such as mixed use
development and other zoning changes near key parks
• Evaluate and promote economic development strategies (e.g. monetary or incentives, linked to local
natural resources)
Dover Comprehensive Plan Guidance Page 15
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Recommendations for the Comp Plan Delaware Plan4Health
Produce Carts
Recommendation 16 | Pursue economic development linked to improved Produce Carts are mobile units that sell
healthy food access fresh fruits and vegetables. The mobile
unit model allows produce carts to easily
Include the below new goal to encourage new ventures that expand healthy food options.
locate in neighborhoods with low access
Expand Healthy Food Access: Encourage new ventures that expand healthy food options across Dover, to healthy food retail. Produce carts may
including corner markets, produce carts, food hubs, farm stands and farmers markets. And support existing be outfitted to accept EBT vouchers for
grocery stores and other food retailers in expanding healthy food availability through distribution chain customers with WIC or SNAP benefits.
development, technical assistance, marketing and incentives. The following specific actions are recommended. Produce cart programs provide new
opportunities for entrepreneurship
• Support farmers markets programs, and seek to expand them in priority areas
and jobs. Local governments can offer
• Support the development of a City or County-sponsored produce cart program financial incentives for produce cart
• Advocate for the development of a local food hub operators through subsidized or waived
• Advocate for the founding of a healthy corner store program permit fees and other tools.
Recommendation 17 | Promote inclusive workforce development programs,
Healthy Corner Stores
strategies and partnerships, especially for disadvantaged groups
Include the below goal to promote inclusive workforce development initiatives. Healthy Corner Store initiatives seek to
transform corner stores and small food
Inclusive Workforce Development: Support the development of workforce development programs, strategies retailers into healthy corner stores that
and partnerships that increase employment opportunities for low income, communities of color, young adults, increase access to healthy, affordable
people with disabilities, ex-offenders, and others that face economic injustices and barriers to employment. The food, especially in communities not
following specific actions are recommended. well served by grocery stores, and
• Collaborate with government and civil society partners on workforce development initiatives for low other healthy food retailers. Local
governments can stimulate healthy
income, communities of color, young adult, people with disabilities, ex-offenders and other priority
corner store development by: launching
groups recognition programs; providing
• Prioritize contracting with women and minority-owned businesses financial incentives like fee waivers or
tax credits to recognized participants;
marketing for recognized participants;
Housing providing technical assistance, including
perishable inventorying, nutrition
The Housing and Community Development chapter describes Dover’s housing education and business management;
stock, housing and community initiatives, and projected housing needs. The chapter and sharing investments with would-be
includes several recommendations that support healthy communities; however, the participants to upgrade store interiors
chapter update should go further to describe the link between housing and health. and equipment.
Recommendation 18 | Articulate the link between housing and health Urban Agriculture Networks
The below text that describes links between housing and health should be included:
School gardens, community gardens,
Housing and Health: Factors related to housing have significant impacts on health. The links between housing and urban farms and small-scale agriculture
health fall into three broad categories: the physical conditions of our homes; the conditions of the neighborhoods projects can provide fresh produce to
surrounding our home; and affordability and other economic dimensions of housing. For instance, housing in local food pantries, schools and other
disrepair can present a range of physical safety hazards, from shoddy wiring that is a fire hazard, to leaks that create institutions, and food distribution hubs,
damp conditions and lead to mold growth. The materials from which our homes are constructed can also present mobile markets, produce carts and local
food retailers. Coordinated approaches
health hazards, including Asbestos and lead paint. The neighborhoods we live in determine our access to resources
to link local producers with community
that support health and opportunity like grocery stores, community gardens, healthcare facilities, recreation consumers are termed Comprehensive
facilities, employment centers and schools. Neighborhoods influence our safey and perception of safety. The amount Garden/Urban Agriculture Networks.
we spend on housing; if we are able to access financing for home loans and rental assistance; and issues that affect To expand productive lands, local
renters, like cause/no cause evictions and discriminatory leasing practices determine where we live, if we experience governments can temporarily or
housing insecurity or homelessness and our economic and financial wellbeing. The following specific actions are permanently transition suitable vacant
recommended to promote healthy housing for all. and underutilized lots into community
gardens or urban agriculture projects.
Dover Comprehensive Plan Guidance Page 16
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Recommendations for the Comp Plan Delaware Plan4Health
• Collaborate with public health agencies, housing authorities, advocacy groups and others on matters Brownfield Redevelopment
concerning housing and health
Brownfields are former industrial or
• Support programs that promote good quality housing (e.g. collaborate on weatherization programs,
commercial sites for which expansion,
collaborate on lead paint hazards programs) redevelopment or reuse may be
• Advocate for the development of complete neighborhoods and mixed-use development complicated by real or perceived
• Support programs to address housing inequities and injustices (e.g. collaborate with tenants alliance, contamination. Brownfields are often
promote neighborhood initiatives to address hazards) vacant or underutilized properties and
sources of blight in neighborhoods.
Brownfield redevelopment programs
Land Development take actions on designated brownfields
to restore sites to productive uses.
The Land Development chapter ties goals articulated throughout the plan to land Brownfield redevelopment projects
development policy. The chapter update should highlight policies that encourage can be leveraged to increase park
complete, walkable communities, promote healthy food availability and identify new and community space permanently
opportunities for community amenities. or temporarily, while remediating
environmental contamination in
communities. The U.S. Environmental
Recommendation 19 | Promote mixed-use development near targeted Protection Agency provides resources
residential areas for communities interested in pursuing
Sample language for a new mixed-use development goal is below. brownfield redevelopment projects.
Mixed-Use Development: Explore opportunities for mixed-use development near targeted residential areas.
Mixed-use development helps create complete neighborhoods and a compact, walkable urban form that Transitional Use Zoning
encourages physical activity and cohesive, vibrant communities. Transitional use zoning can support
temporary use of vacant lots for parks,
Recommendation 20 | Explore a Healthy Food Zone around schools and/or community gardens and other public
spaces. Partnerships with nonprofit
places populated by youth organizations or churches may facilitate
Below is language for a new Healthy Food Zone goal to include. this use of space.
Healthy Food Zones: Explore opportunities to establish Healthy Food Zones near schools, community centers,
parks and recreation facilities and other places populated by youth. Healthy Food Zones aim to create healthier
food environments for youth by: restricting new fast food restaurants and convenience stores from locating near
schools; and finding solutions to expand fresh produce and healthy food availability at/near schools.
• Evaluate policy options, such as ordinances and zoning code amendments, to restrict new fast food and
convenience stores near schools
• Target healthy corner store and produce cart programs near schools
• Partner with schools on CSA and farmers market programs
Recommendation 21 | Promote shared-use, temporary-use and adaptive reuse
of properties for parks and community space
Include the following new goal to aimed at expanding park and community space.
New Parks, Pocket Parks, Community Space: Explore opportunities to develop new temporary or permanent
parks, pocket parks and community space through shared use, redevelopment or adaptive reuse of vacant and 8
Better Block programs, commonly
underutilized properties. The following specific actions are recommended. community-based initiatives, reimagine built
environments as for people first. They typically
• Encourage policy development (e.g. transitional use zoning) that expands parks, community gardens use temporary installations to calm traffic and
• Promote shared use of publicly-held properties (e.g. schools) with potential to provide needed activate spaces in order to demonstrate the
potential and build support to improve public
community resources such as playgrounds, recreational facilities and community kitchens spaces and build more vibrant neighborhoods.
• Support brownfield redevelopment programs and neighborhood cleanup programs 9
PARK(ing) Day is an annual global event that
• Support Better Block programs8 brings together diverse stakeholders from
• Found a Dover PARK(ing) Day9 across a community to temporarily transform
parking spaces into temporary public places
• Pilot a pocket park program with the mission to call attention to the need
for more public open space.
Dover Comprehensive Plan Guidance Page 17
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Recommendations for the Comp Plan Delaware Plan4Health
Intergovernmental Coordination
The Intergovernmental Coordination chapter describes the interactions and
coordination efforts between Dover and other governmental agencies, including
municipalities, Kent County and the State of Delaware.
Recommendation 22 | Encourage coordination among agencies to foster
healthier communities
Include the following goal to collaborate on public health matters.
Collaborate for Public Health: Encourage coordination among the various agencies involved in land use
planning and public health to foster healthier communities through active transportation networks, protection
of natural resources and critical infrastructure, and prudent planning practices.
Implementation
The Implementation chapter describes how to enact policies and recommendations
articulated throughout the plan. The chapter update should include performance
measures to track progress toward healthy community goals.
Recommendation 23 | Ensure that all communities are on track to achieving
healthy community goals
Evaluate activities to improve access to healthy foods and active transportation, among other community health
measures of interest over time. Develop measurable goals for improving healthy food access and promoting
physical activity, and adapt programs to meet the needs of target populations. The following text for a goal for
tracking indicators of community health should be included.
Track Community Health Indicators: Ensure that all communities are on track toward improved access to
healthy foods and active transportation facilities, while prioritizing communities of need. In collaboration with
local and state agencies and community stakeholders, track progress towards improving access to healthy food
and pedestrian, bicycle and transit facilities for communities throughout Dover on an ongoing basis.
Dover Comprehensive Plan Guidance Page 18
Page 35
Project for Dover’s 2019 Comprehensive Plan
Evaluation of 2008 Goals and Recommendations
As part of the preparation of the City of Dover’s 2019 Comprehensive Plan, the
Planning Office is looking to evaluate the implementation of the 2008
Comprehensive Plan. Please complete the following task.
Using the attached Chart entitled “Evaluation of 2008 Goals and
Recommendations,” please evaluate each goal and provided any comments
regarding each goal. These Plan Goals are found in Table 1-1 and in Chapters 5-11
of Dover's 2008 Comprehensive Plan as amended.
Use the following scale of 1 to 5 in evaluating the importance of each goal.
1 = Less Important
2 = Somewhat Important
3 = Important
4 = More Important
5 = Very Important
Page 36
Evaluation of 2008 Goals and Recommendations
From Table 1-1 and Chapters 5-11 of Dover's 2008 Comprehensive Plan as amended
Evaluation of
Chapter Goals Goal Statement Importance Comments
Rate 1-5
Natural Goal 1: Protect the Natural Protect the natural environment through
Resources and Environment the conservation of significant ecological
systems that naturally work to enhance
Environmental
the quality of life for residents.
Protection
Goal 2: Improve Watershed Quality Continue the City’s partnership with
DNREC, Silver Lake Commission, and
other environmental groups to improve
the water quality in Silver Lake and the
St. Jones River watershed and Little Creek
Watershed.
Goal 3: Encourage Green Begin the process of creating both Code
Development and Sustainable amendments and/or policy amendments
and revisions which encourage
Energy Practices
environmentally sensitive development
and allow for emerging “green” trends to
flourish in the City.
Historic Goal 1: Preserve and Protect Preserve and provide better protection
Preservation Historic Resources for historic resources including individual
properties and historic districts in order
to maintain community character and the
plan for integration of these places into
everyday use.
Goal 2: Provide and Promote Provide and promote incentives for
Incentives for Preservation public and private preservation activities
and the protection of residential and non-
Activities
residential historic properties including
incentives to encourage continual use, on-
going maintenance of such properties,
and appropriate in-fill project design.
Goal 3: Increase Public Increase and promote dissemination of
Information on Historic Resources information on preservation activities,
the value and significance of historic
resources, and historic and cultural
heritage tourism opportunities to the
general public and elected/appointed
officials.
Evaluation of Importance: Rate 1-5 with 1 = Less Important, 2 = Somewhat Important, 3 = Important, 4 = More Important 5 = Very Important 1 of 5
Page 37
Evaluation of 2008 Goals and Recommendations
From Table 1-1 and Chapters 5-11 of Dover's 2008 Comprehensive Plan as amended
Evaluation of
Chapter Goals Goal Statement Importance Comments
Rate 1-5
Goal 4: Collaborate with Diverse Partner and collaborate with special
Groups and Governments interest groups, within municipal
government, and state and federal
government agencies regarding
preservation activities, cultural activities
and heritage tourism.
Public Utilities Goal 1: Proactively Maintain Continue to place highest priority on
and Community Existing Infrastructure and Expand maintaining existing utilities and
community infrastructure so that reliable
Infrastructure Infrastructure When Beneficial
service can continue to be provided to
existing community.
Goal 2: Enhance Infrastructure to Enhance public utilities and infrastructure
Meet Community Needs where studies indicate that community
services standards are not being met.
Goal 3: Meet or exceed the State -
and Federal requirements of the
NPDES permit and Stormwater
Management Plan
Community Goal 1: Provide a System of Provide a walkable open space network
Services and Interconnected Open Space Areas which links the community to facilities,
schools, libraries, and travel paths.
Facilities and Recreational Opportunities
Goal 2: Provide a New & Modern The City should pursue and support the
Public Library construction and operation of a newly
constructed modern library facility.
Goal 3: Disaster Preparation The City must be prepared to face and
quickly address potential disasters both
natural and man-made.
Goal 4: Provide and Maintain High The City should provide and maintain
Quality City Services high quality services to all residents,
properties, and visitors within Dover.
Evaluation of Importance: Rate 1-5 with 1 = Less Important, 2 = Somewhat Important, 3 = Important, 4 = More Important 5 = Very Important 2 of 5
Page 38
Facilities
Evaluation of 2008 Goals and Recommendations
From Table 1-1 and Chapters 5-11 of Dover's 2008 Comprehensive Plan as amended
Evaluation of
Chapter Goals Goal Statement Importance Comments
Rate 1-5
Goal 5: Protect and Preserve the The City should work to ensure the
City Owned Resources protection and preservation of its own
resources ranging from natural, historic,
and cultural resources to the physical
facilities.
Transportation Goal 1: Preserve and Maintain the Encroaching development and unlimited
Existing Transportation System access onto the region’s major roadways
reduces system capacity. By guiding
development, controlling access, and
taking active steps to preserve
transportation system investments that
have already been made, the existing
system can be maintained.
Goal 2: Increase Coordination with Work with citizens, DelDOT, and the MPO
Agencies to ensure that Dover’s long and short-
range transportation needs are
addressed.
Goal 3: Develop and Expand Expanding facilities and services for
Alternate Modes of Transportation alternate modes of transportation such
as walking, bicycling, taxi, and transit
services enhances mobility for residents,
reduces the number of single-occupant
vehicles, and reduces the need to own an
automobile.
Goal 4: Create Recommendations The City should cooperate with DelDOT
and Policies for Roadways and through the Development Advisory
Committee (DAC) and the Dover/Kent
Development
County MPO on the following: • Support
for access management along minor
arterials and collector roads to protect
traffic capacity and preserve the
character of existing neighborhoods. •
Support for pedestrian, bikeways, and
public transit facilities in subdivisions and
site plan applications.
Evaluation of Importance: Rate 1-5 with 1 = Less Important, 2 = Somewhat Important, 3 = Important, 4 = More Important 5 = Very Important 3 of 5
Page 39
Evaluation of 2008 Goals and Recommendations
From Table 1-1 and Chapters 5-11 of Dover's 2008 Comprehensive Plan as amended
Evaluation of
Chapter Goals Goal Statement Importance Comments
Rate 1-5
Goal 5: Air Quality: The Ozone The City of Dover is committed to
Challenge working with the Dover/Kent County
MPO to reduce the air quality impact of
auto emissions through sound land use
planning, enhancing the bicycle and
pedestrian transportation network in
Dover, and encouraging increased use of
public transit.
Economic Goal 1: Attract and Retain High- -
Development Paying Quality Jobs by Targeting
Large Firms and Businesses to
Major Growth Areas in the City
Goal 2: Revitalize Downtown -
Dover as a Vibrant Town Center
Integrating the Hospital, the
Colleges & Universities, the State
and City Governments with
Business (Retail and Professional),
Housing and Tourism
Goal 3: Ensure that Zoning -
Requirements Encourage the Uses
Desired and Do Not Create
Impediments to Desired Business
Growth
Goal 4: Create an Environment for -
Long Term Economic Investment in
Dover Focusing on Green
Technology and Entrepreneurial
Businesses
Goal 5: Actively Market Garrison -
Oak
Evaluation of Importance: Rate 1-5 with 1 = Less Important, 2 = Somewhat Important, 3 = Important, 4 = More Important 5 = Very Important 4 of 5
Page 40
Evaluation of 2008 Goals and Recommendations
From Table 1-1 and Chapters 5-11 of Dover's 2008 Comprehensive Plan as amended
Evaluation of
Chapter Goals Goal Statement Importance Comments
Rate 1-5
Housing & Goal 1: Encourage Balanced Ensure that adequate, safe, and
Community Housing Opportunities for All affordable housing is offered to all
income levels, ages and citizens of the
Development Income Levels and Phases in Life
City.
Goal 2: Preserve Existing Housing Preserve the existing housing stock in the
Stock City of Dover through the continuation of
the rehabilitation of existing homes.
Goal 3: Provide Safe Livable Continue to provide safe livable
Neighborhoods residential and commercial
neighborhoods to improve the quality of
life.
Goal 4: Provide Homeownership Provide homeownership opportunities
Opportunities for Low/Moderate throughout the City, especially within low
and moderate-income neighborhoods.
Income
Evaluation of Importance: Rate 1-5 with 1 = Less Important, 2 = Somewhat Important, 3 = Important, 4 = More Important 5 = Very Important 5 of 5