SLC March 2022 draft minute

Silver Lake Commission March 9, 2022 5:30 PM In person & Via Weblink * DRAFT * Members Present Guests John DeMarie Carolyn Courtney, Parks & Recreation Staff Kathy Doyle Robin Eaton, Director Parks & Recreation Marie Kozel Andrew Howard, Environmental Scientist, DNREC Michael Lewis Dawn Melson‐Williams, Acting Planning Director William Satchell Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc Staff WELCOME & CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM MEMBER & STAFF INTRODUCTION Mr. Eaton started the meeting and welcomed the members. With that said, the members and guests each gave a brief introduction for their self and their affiliation to Dover. REVIEW SILVER LAKE RESOLUTION & NOMINATE & SELECT CHAIRPERSON Members reviewed the Silver Lake Resolution and were welcomed to call the office if they had any questions by Mr. Eaton. The floor was opened for Chair nominations. Mr. Lewis nominated Ms. Kozel as Chairperson. With a second to the motion, Ms. Kozel accepted the nomination. The motion passed without objection. CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATION S‐22‐03 RESTAURANT AT 801 N STATE STREET Mrs. Melson‐Williams gave a brief introduction of background on land use in the city, noting certain environmental aspects of the code. In the case of various water bodies, there are setbacks so that development does not get to close and as part of the zoning ordinance, there is a process of review to the site plan, if the property is next to Silver Lake, the application must come before the Silver Lake Commission for review. This project is moving through process within the city with is a review of various bodies. The application will go to a public hearing at the Planning Commission meeting. Review includes for example DELDOT review due to access point off N. State Street. KCCD will also review for compliance with Delaware Sediment and Stormwater management regulation. The city side having to get approvals for water & sewer services, the Planning Office is looking at placement of building, adequate parking, tree planting & buffering requirements being met. You will hear from the applicant tonight about their project. Ms. Kozel asked if the site is currently residential, has it already been rezoned? Mrs. MW noted that is part of zoning process. The application was then reviewed. This is a C2A zone area a limited central commercial zone. The proposal brought to us is for a restaurant, one story building. The property was residential and was changed a few years ago. There will not be a re‐zoning process. Land planning is necessary in this process at they are proposing a restaurant. Mike (Davis, Bowen & Friedel) Brief outline of project, a restaurant. We are presenting a lower density project that will allow for to do additional landscaping and onsite stormwater management. The building is design so that there are view of Silver Lake. We do have outdoor dining in the plan. They intend to reestablish shoreline along the property. They are required to install a new riparian buffer. They have worked with local landscape architect for this. The rendering was reviewed. (Attached) Plan to install stone along the shore line, above that including biostable plantings will be used. All native species. All plantings are utilizing native plantings and are meant to provide long term stability and absorb pollutants which will help the lake long term. Review and plan discussion took place. Mr. Lewis noted he is a resident of the adjacent to the property. He completely understands this property will be developed. He noted the alley on the back side of the property and ask if there would be a back door entrance to the property and when do you plan to begin construction? No, we do not plan to open the back of the property/fence for accessing this parcel. Construction is expected to begin in the Fall of 2022, with appropriate approval from DelDOT and the city. Mr. Lewis noted his appreciation for the detail in the plans and answer received this evening to his questions. Mrs. Doyle stated she was delighted to see put thought into the riparian buffer, asking who maintains this area. It was answered, the restaurant owners are responsible. She talked about the current trees and tree requirements and what is in the

current plan. They are planting new trees and keeping the established healthy trees. Mrs. Melson‐Williams noted a couple of the ordinances and they had met those requirements with the present plan. Mr. DeMarie noted he was looking yesterday at the site and the bald cypress tress that have been there serve as habitat. I am concerned about how these trees and if they are being removed? With a response, it was noted the intent is to keep as many trees as possible on the property without impact to the construction. Mr. DeMarie asked if a new dock would be put in? In reply, it was noted the dock currently there will be removed with no plans to replace at this time. Hours of operation were discussed. They will not be open past 10 PM and patrons of the restaurant will not have water access. Mr. Satchell asked if he could walk the site to become more familiar with the area? In reply, yes he may do so. It was noted no access from Lepore’s Road is planned. Mrs. Melson‐Williams noted this is still in review process, and tonight they are looking for guidance and recommendations for the Planning Commission to have for their review process. The information from this meeting will be provided. The public hearing is set for March 24th. Members are welcome to attend. This is one of four applications Meeting participation is in person and in‐person. Mr. Eaton then recommended the commission member forward their comments via email to Ms. Courtney. Ms. Courtney will collect the responses and forward as a package Mrs. Melson‐Williams onto the Planning Commission. Mr. Lewis motioned to have all comments to Ms. Courtney by March 14. This was seconded and passed without objection. UPDATE ON SILVER LAKE PARK PROJECTS & MAINTENANCE CREW UPDATES Mr. Eaton noted we are doing things at the lake. The kayak dock is in and we are ordering an actual kayak launch. The beach will have plantings that will be coming. Benches are ordered and I’d like to get those in. Yes, this is still funding with a grant funding (50/50). Plants that are designed for this environment and wont grow so tall they block the view. Some trees came down and we cleaned those up (north end of parking lot). We had a slide vandalized, we have replaced that. In collaboration with the Library, we are doing a story walk. We are putting laminated pages out along the pathway. This our third year of doing the walk. Using the existing post, we have new boxes coming in next week that will offer better protection of the pages. We have been in the park removing invasive species and vines that have crept in the park. Ms. Kozel noted she has seen lots of clean up and city staff working in the park. Mr. Eaton noted a split rail fence was removed at the entrance (Washington St). He has asked he crews to report on things we may need or not need in the park. We have volunteer groups that come in, for Bally’s is coming soon. They will be helping with tree plantings, mulching, and overall clean up. Yes, native plants are being used. This have been neglected and it’s a start to get the parks in good shape. General discussion on park trees, the dam, sink hole, and amenities. The sewer leak has been resolved. The sink hole seems to be resolved as well. We are keeping an eye on that area. There is no open hole at this point. SPRING CLEAN UP EVENTS Currently schedule clean up events include: March 12 Holy Cross Honor Roll Students 8 am March 19 The Legion of Anglers 8 am April 9 Holy Cross Honor Roll Students 8 am Members of the Commission are invited out to participate with these groups. Usually, they are here from 8 am – Noon. ADJOURNMENT With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:42 PM.

Area Building Area: 6774 SF Covered Patio: 907 SF Tortilla Making Merch. Storage Storage Office Mechanical 119 Dish Room 113 114 116 117 Retail/To Go 102 112 Seats Entry 101 Dining: 212 Wait Support 111 Bar Seats: 24 Total: 236 Tortilla Dining 103 Cooler c Kitchen Mens Prep & Pickup Prep Dry Goods/Commisary 109 104 110 115 118 Womens 105 Freezer b Main Dining 106 Keg Cooler a Private Event 107 El Azteca Dover 3 Season Bar Patio Bar 002 108 Event Patio 001 Floor Plan & Renders Level 1 Copy 1 1 1/8" = 1'-0" REV REV DATE DESCRIPTION Firm Name and Address : Lighthouse Construction, Inc. 859 Golf Links Lane, Suite 1 Magnolia, DE Project Name and Address : El Azteca Dover 801N State Street Dover, De 19901 Project : Sheet : El Azteca Dover Date : Issue Date A100 Front Entrance Outdoor Dining 2 3 Scale : 12" = 1'-0" 12" = 1'-0" As indicated

P:\Lighthouse\El Azteca\PRELIMINARY\EXISTING CONDITIONS.dwg Feb 04 , 2022 - 9:50am resd DAVIS, BOWEN & FRIEDEL, INC. ARCHITECTS ENGINEERS SURVEYORS

P:\Lighthouse\El Azteca\PRELIMINARY\PRELIMINARY PLAN.dwg Feb 04 , 2022 - 9:51am resd 0 20 40 60 DAVIS, BOWEN & FRIEDEL, INC. ARCHITECTS ENGINEERS SURVEYORS

P:\Lighthouse\El Azteca\PRELIMINARY\PRELIMINARY PLAN.dwg Feb 04 , 2022 - 9:52am resd 0 20 40 60 DAVIS, BOWEN & FRIEDEL, INC. ARCHITECTS ENGINEERS SURVEYORS

Silver Lake Park ‐ Scheduled Clean Up Events March 12 Holy Cross Honor Roll Students 8 am March 19 The Legion of Anglers 8 am April 9 Holy Cross Honor Roll Students 8 am Members of the Commission are invited out to participate with these groups. Usually, they are here from 8 am – Noon. Some pics of previous clean up events: