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Special Council Meeting - Violations of the Dangerous Building Ordinance (VDBO)

Thursday, November 20, 2025, City Hall, City of Dover, Delaware

What happened

AI summary

The Dover City Council held a Special Council Meeting on Violations of the Dangerous Building Ordinance to consider demolition and repair orders for four blighted properties. Council unanimously voted (6-0) to approve staff recommendations for all four properties, setting a compliance deadline of December 22, 2025. Extensive discussion took place on 29 South New Street regarding homelessness, unauthorized occupancy, drug activity, and an illegal perimeter fence; property owner Apostle Wayne Lott of House of Pride testified that the property is under contract to NeighborGood Partners (NCALL) for demolition and affordable housing redevelopment. Council also ordered the demolition of 111 South Queen Street due to severe structural collapse from a February 2025 fire, and ordered repair or demolition for long-vacant properties at 303 West Division Street and 415 West Division Street.

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Votes

4 routine votes, all passed

Show 4 routine votes

  • Move to adopt staff recommendation declaring 29 South New Street dangerous and ordering the building and all accessory structures to be repaired or demolished on or before December 22, 2025.

    Passed 6 yes, 3 absent. Absent: Andre M. Boggerty, David L. Anderson, Roy Sudler, Jr..

    Play from 1:06:07

  • Move to approve staff recommendation to have the structure at 111 South Queen Street demolished on or before December 22, 2025.

    Passed 6 yes, 3 absent. Absent: Andre M. Boggerty, David L. Anderson, Roy Sudler, Jr..

    Play from 1:12:04

  • Move to adopt staff recommendation to order the building at 303 West Division Street to be repaired or demolished on or before December 22, 2025.

    Passed 6 yes, 3 absent. Absent: Andre M. Boggerty, David L. Anderson, Roy Sudler, Jr..

    Play from 1:22:09

  • Move to accept staff recommendation to order the property at 415 West Division Street to be repaired or demolished on or before December 22, 2025.

    Passed 6 yes, 3 absent. Absent: Andre M. Boggerty, David L. Anderson, Roy Sudler, Jr..

    Play from 1:28:39

Recording

Read the machine transcript (434 statements)

Agenda

Show 5 agenda items

  • 1. Adoption of Agenda

    Adoption of the agenda for the Special Council Meeting.

    Play from 00:00

  • 2. 29 South New Street - Violation of Dangerous Building Ordinance

    Public hearing and action regarding the dangerous building violation and proposed demolition order for 29 South New Street, owned by House of Pride, Inc.

    Play from 00:12

  • 3. 111 South Queen Street - Violation of Dangerous Building Ordinance

    Public hearing and action regarding the dangerous building violation and demolition order for 111 South Queen Street, following severe fire damage and structural collapse.

    Play from 1:06:36

  • 4. 303 West Division Street - Violation of Dangerous Building Ordinance

    Public hearing and action regarding dangerous building violations, detached chimney, and lack of utilities for the vacant property at 303 West Division Street.

    Play from 1:12:38

  • 5. 415 West Division Street - Violation of Dangerous Building Ordinance

    Public hearing and action regarding the dangerous building violation and order to repair or demolish 415 West Division Street, owned by Ham and Cheese, LLC.

    Play from 1:22:24

Documents

Attendance

7 in person, 3 absent.

Show 10 people
  • Robin R. Christiansen (Mayor; participated in discussion but does not vote under City Charter.)In person
  • Brian E. LewisIn person
  • Donyale M. HallIn person
  • Fred A. Neil (Council President; presided over the meeting.)In person
  • Gerald L. Rocha, Sr.In person
  • Julia M. PillsburyIn person
  • Tricia K. ArndtIn person
  • Andre M. BoggertyAbsent
  • David L. AndersonAbsent
  • Roy Sudler, Jr.Absent