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CITY OF DOVER, DELAWARE
COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 6:00 PM
City Hall Council Chambers, 15 Loockerman Plaza, Dover, Delaware
AGENDA
THIS AGENDA AND PACKET HAVE BEEN REVISED BY REMOVING LEGISLATIVE,
FINANCE, AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE ITEM #1 – PROPOSED ORDINANCE
#2026-04 WITH STAFF AMENDMENT #1 – AMENDING CHAPTER 22 – BUILDINGS AND
BUILDING REGULATIONS, ARTICLE XII – VACANT BUILDINGS
Public comments are welcomed on any item and will be permitted at the appropriate time. When possible,
please notify the City Clerk (302-736-7008 or email at cityclerk@dover.de.us) should you wish to be
recognized.
VIRTUAL MEETING NOTICE
This meeting will be held in City Hall Council Chambers with electronic access via WebEx. Public
participation information is as follows:
Dial: 1-650-479-3208
Link: https://shorturl.at/mxquE
Event number: 2530 563 5060
Event password: DOVER (if needed)
If you are new to WebEx, get the app now at https://www.webex.com/ to be ready when the meeting
starts.
CALL COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING TO ORDER
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
PRESENTATIONS
1. State Joint Resolution 8 - Land Use Reform - Overview and Schedule (Jason Lyon,
Water/Wastewater Director, and Ann Marie Townsend, ACIP, Senior Project Manager,
Rossi Group)
(Committee Action Not Required)
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COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING - May 12, 2026 PAGE 2
COUNCIL REPORTS - APRIL 2026
1. First District
2. Second District
3. Third District
4. Fourth District
5. At-Large
6. Council President
UTILITY COMMITTEE
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
1. Evaluation of Proposals - Underground Utility Locating Services (Jason Lyon,
Water/Wastewater Director)
(Staff Recommendation: Award a three (3) year contract with the option for two (2) one (1)
year extensions to Century Engineering, LLC, a Kleinfelder Company, as per the proposal
submitted in response to RFP #26-0017COD.)
ADJOURNMENT OF THE UTILITY COMMITTEE MEETING
LEGISLATIVE, FINANCE, AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
1. Proposed Ordinance #2026-05 - Amending Chapter 70 - Offenses and Miscellaneous
Provisions, Sec. 70-4. - Throwing and kicking objects and playing games in streets and
public places (Eddie Kopp, Chief Code Enforcement Officer)
(Staff Recommendation: Forward Proposed Ordinance #2026-05 to council for approval)
2. Proposed Ordinance #2026-06 - Amending Chapter 106 - Traffic and Vehicles, Article III.
- Stopping, Standing, and Parking, Division 1. - Generally, Sec. 106-123. - Vehicle parking
time limited where carrying capacity is in excess of one ton, and trailer and recreational
vehicle parking (Eddie Kopp, Chief Code Enforcement Officer)
(Staff Recommendation: Forward Proposed Ordinance #2026-06 to council for approval)
ADJOURNMENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE, FINANCE, AND ADMINISTRATION
COMMITTEE MEETING
ADJOURNMENT OF THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
THE AGENDA ITEMS AS LISTED MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED IN SEQUENCE. PURSUANT TO
29 DEL. C. §10004(e)(2), THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITION
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COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING - May 12, 2026 PAGE 3
OR THE DELETION OF ITEMS, INCLUDING EXECUTIVE SESSIONS, WHICH ARISE AT THE
TIME OF THE MEETING
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Item 1.
City of Dover
DSHA Technical Assistance for
Housing and Land Use Reform
Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
May 12, 2026
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Item 1.
Agenda
• Background
• Our Approach
• Housing Resources Committee
(HRC)
• Participating Jurisdictions
• Housing Affordability in Dover
• Chosen Reform
• Questions/Next Steps
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Item 1.
Background
In response to Delaware’s housing affordability crisis, the General Assembly passed House Bill
442, creating the Affordable Housing Production Task Force.
The Affordable Housing Production Task Force released a report which recommended
implementing zoning reform to allow more housing choices at a local level.
The General Assembly passed Senate Joint Resolution 8 (SJR8), directing the DSHA to create a
pilot program to provide technical assistance for municipal governments related to zoning reform.
DSHA opened an application process for municipalities to participate in this pilot program where
they could select zoning reform options and Dover applied to participate.
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Item 1.
Our Approach
Zoning &
Regulatory Drafting
Framework Analysis • Barriers and Amendments • Early Presentation
• Kick-off with DSHA opportunities
and TAs (Council)
• Develop worksheet matrix • Draft ordinances
• Kick-off with Dover for reviewing codes • Check in again mid
• Identify a list of and summaries process (both)
• First meeting with and processes potential changes • Administrative • Present draft
HRC • Existing housing changes
makeup ordinances (PC ->
• Site Plan Review Barrier Council)
process Identification &
Project Initiation Strategy Alignment Presentations to
PC, Council & HRC
Public Engagement, Municipal Coordination, Ongoing Support and Meeting Attendance, HRC & TA Coordination
HRC = Housing Resources Committee 7
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Item 1.
Housing Resources Committee (HRC)
Advisory group of non-participating jurisdictions and state agencies
who have deep understanding of local development processes
Role
Support technical assistance (TA) providers and local jurisdictions
Provide expertise and guidance on challenges and solutions
Engage and convene TA providers and municipalities via monthly meetings
Evaluate proposed solutions
Support development of public engagement
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Item 1.
Participating Jurisdictions & TA Providers
Rossi Group Smart Growth McCormick/Taylor
• Newark America • Sussex County
• Dover • Milford
• Lewes • Rehoboth Beach
• Laurel • Georgetown
• Bridgeville
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Housing Affordability in Delaware
Item 1.
Share of Cost-Burdened Renters and Owners (2005-2024) Cost-burdened households:
60%
Households who spend at least
RENTERS 30% of their total income on rent or
50% mortgage payments and utilities.
Percent of Cost-Burdened Households
40% According to 2024 ACS data,
50% of renters and 22% of
30% homeowners are cost-
OWNERS burdened in Delaware.
20%
Median monthly housing cost in
10%
Dover: $1,337
An individual would need to make
0%
$4,457 a month to afford the
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023 2025 median housing cost in Dover
Delaware renter households US renter households
Delaware owner households US owner households
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Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI)
Item 1.
• The ZHVI is a smoothed,
seasonally adjusted measure of
the typical home value and market
changes across a given region and
housing type.
• It reflects the typical value for
homes in the 35th to 65th
percentile range.
• Dover ZHVI: $339,650
• Kent County ZHVI: $368,542
• Delaware ZHVI: $396,207
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Item 1.
Dover Rental Market (ZillowRentals)
• Average overall monthly rent
in Dover is $1,800
• Average rent for a one-
bedroom apartment $1,450
Dover, DE average
rent
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Owner and Renter Occupancy in Dover
Item 1.
• Per 2024 ACS data, there are
Percent Owner
16,448 housing units in
47% Occupied
Dover, 15,428 of which are
53% Percent Renter
occupied
Occupied
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Item 1.
Occupancy by # of Units* per Structure
7,000
6,000
Number of Units Occupied
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
1, detached 1, attached 2 units 3 or 4 units 5 to 9 units 10 or more units Mobile home or other
type of housing
Number of Units Per Structure
Owner-Occupied Renter-Occupied
*A housing units refers to a house, a condo, an 2024 ACS, 5-Year Estimates
apartment, a mobile home or trailer, a group of rooms,
or a single room that is occupied 14
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Commuting Patterns: Item 1.
Inflow/Outflow of Workers
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Item 1.
Local Barriers vs. Local Levers*
Local Barriers Local Levers
• Zoning and Land-use constraints • Enable gentle density (ADUs,
limiting small-scale housing duplexes, and triplexes)
• Permitting timelines and • Streamline approvals for small
development friction increasing housing projects
project costs • Launch programs to bring vacant
• Infrastructure and site readiness units back online
issues • Support small-scale developers
• Financing gaps for small and rehab projects
developers and rehab projects • Expand attainable homeownership
• Market pressures such as rising pathways
construction costs, taxes, and
insurance
* From Fuller Center for Housing presentation of 3/10/2026 16
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Chosen Reform
Item 1.
• Allow ADUs and/or “missing middle” housing types as permitted in residential zones
• Increase buildable density for housing by reducing minimum lot sizes and bulk
standards
• Increase building heights for multifamily housing and/or mixed-use developments
• Establish an inclusionary zoning program to address affordable and workforce
housing needs
• Allow higher density, mixed-use with residential in commercial zones or
employment centers
Additional Reforms Available
• Allow manufactured and/or modular homes placed on permanent foundations as a
permitted use where single-family detached homes are permitted
• Create pre-reviewed design plans for “missing middle” housing types
• Reduce parking requirements in areas zoned for residential and mixed-use to
promote walkable communities and provide more affordable development
opportunities
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Additional Reforms Available – City Council Item 1.
Feedback
Reform Support Opposed Undecided
ADUs - - -
Missing Middle - - -
Buildable Density - - -
Building Heights - - -
Inclusionary Zoning - - -
Higher Density Mixed-Use Residential - - -
Manufactured/Modular Homes - - -
Pre-Reviewed Designs - - -
Reduced Parking Minimums - - -
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Item 1.
Questions?
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Item 1.
CITY OF DOVER, DELAWARE
ACTION FORM
PROCEEDING: Council Committee of the Whole (Utility)
DEPARTMENT OF ORIGIN: Water & Wastewater SUBMITTED ON: May 1, 2026
PREPARED BY: Jason A. Lyon, P.E., Director of Water & Wastewater and Paul Waddell, Electric
Director
REVIEWED BY: Sharon J. Duca, P.E., ICMA-CM, Acting City Manager and Patricia M. Marney,
Controller / Treasurer
SUBJECT: Evaluation of Proposals – Utility Locating Services
TIMETABLE: Contract to be executed on July 1, 2026
RELATED PROJECT: N/A
REFERENCE: N/A
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED: As Needed
AMOUNT BUDGETED: N/A
FUNDING SOURCE (Dept./Page in CIP & Budget): Funding is provided within the operations
budget. FY 27 budget includes $36,500 in each
of the Contractual Services accounts for Water
Engineering (400-40-26-99-000-53031) and
Wastewater Engineering (402-41-26-99-000-
53031) and $75,000 in Electric Engineering
(410-42-26-99-000-53031). The total budget is
$148,000.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends awarding a three (3) year contract with the option for two (2), one (1) year extensions to
Century Engineering, LLC a Kleinfelder Company as per the proposal submitted in response to RFP #26-
0017COD.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS:
The City of Dover is a member of the Utilities Service Protection Center of Delmarva, Inc., also known as
Delmarva811. This is an organization that receives excavation requests from all parties and notifies the facility
owners of locating requests in our service area.
Proposals were solicited and advertised according to City Policy by the City’s Contract and Procurement Manager
under RFP #26-0017COD and submissions were received from three (3) contractors. The proposals were evaluated
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Item 1.
based on work experience with locating water, wastewater, electric and fiber lines; safety record; ability to meet
response time; cost; geographical knowledge of Dover; ability to handle all aspects of ticketing and contractors and
ability to sustain locators. The contractor will be responsible for locating underground utilities owned by the City
of Dover and will be liable for damaged utilities due to incorrect locating. Additionally, the contractor will manage
the Delmarva811 ticket process, which includes receiving the tickets directly from Delmarva811, marking the
involved utilities, and entering the information on the web-based reporting system. Dover will be responsible for
providing the contractor with periodic updated prints and files of newly installed utilities.
The proposal had two (2) methods of billing: the first is price per ticket, and the second is an hourly rate. Staff
concluded that the hourly rate would be the cheaper option. The proposed contract from Century Engineering, LLC
a Kleinfelder Company is for a period of three (3) years with two (2), one (1) year extensions. The proposal includes
a static price for the first two (2) years of the contract and three percent (3%) increases on the remaining years of
the contract.
The following is a summary of the average proposal score for the three (3) proposers:
Company Name Location Average Score
Century Engineering, LLC, a Dover, DE 79.5
Kleinfelder Company*
Danella Plymouth Meeting, PA 77.0
J&M Locating, LLC Hartly, DE 59.5
*=Century Engineering, LLC a Kleinfelder Company claimed Local Vendor Preference, which entitles a 3% reduction on the evaluation of
prices, which is one aspect of the evaluation criteria.
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Item 1.
CITY OF DOVER, DELAWARE
ACTION FORM
PROCEEDING: Council Committee of the Whole- Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee
DEPARTMENT OF ORIGIN: Planning, Inspections, and Community Development- Code Enforcement
DATE SUBMITTED: May 5, 2026
PREPARED BY: Eddie Kopp, CCEO, Chief Code Enforcement Officer
SUBJECT: Amendments to the Dover Code of Ordinances
REFERENCE: Chapter 70- Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions, Section 70-4- Throwing and kicking
objects and playing games in the streets and public places.
RELATED PROJECT: N/A
REVIEWED BY: Sharon J. Duca P.E., ICMA-CM, Acting City Manager/Interim Director of Planning,
Inspections, and Community Development
EXHIBITS: Ordinance 2026-05
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED: N/A
AMOUNT BUDGETED: N/A
FUNDING SOURCE (Dept./Page in CIP & Budget): N/A
TIMETABLE: 5/12/2026 -Introduction to Council Committee of the Whole
6/08/2026 -First Reading at City Council
6/22/2026 -Final Reading at City Council
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve the text amendments to the ordinance.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
• Basketball goals and play equipment in the street are frequent complaints to staff and elected
officials.
• Play equipment in the street creates a life safety concern and disrupts traffic.
• Play equipment also interferes with street sweeping and trash collection.
• The amendments to this ordinance would provide enforceable language to prevent the storage of
play equipment in the street.
• The text amendments clearly define play equipment.
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Item 1.
City of Dover
PROPOSED ORDINANCE #2026-05
1 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN
2 COUNCIL MET:
3
4 That Chapter 70- Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions, Section 70-4- Throwing and kicking
5 objects and playing games in the streets and public places, is amended by inserting the text
6 indicated in bold, blue, italics, and deleting the text indicated in red strikeout as follows:
7
8 Sec. 70-4. Throwing and kicking objects and Pplaying games, and storing equipment in
9 streets and public places.
10 (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to throw, kick, or project, in any manner whatsoever,
11 any stone, ball or other object in the city streets and public places, or to play or practice
12 athletic games, quoits, pitching pennies, and like games on the city streets and public
13 places, unless those places are specifically designated for those purposes by lawful
14 authority.
15 (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to set up or store at any time, play equipment or
16 other similar objects in streets, public right-of-way, or any area where pedestrian or
17 vehicular traffic could be hindered or impeded within the corporate limits of the
18 city, unless those places are specifically designated for those purposes by lawful
19 authorities.
20 (c) Play equipment is defined as any structure or object designed for recreational play
21 use. This includes, but is not limited to, basketball goals, nets, ramps, swings, slides,
22 and climbing frames.
23 Charter reference - Power of council to regulate use of streets, subpart A, § 29.
24
25
26
27 ADOPTED: *
28
29 SYNOPSIS
30 This ordinance amends provisions related to basketball goals and other play equipment. The
31 amendments clarify requirements for the storage of such equipment, particularly prohibiting
32 placement within the street, and establProposedish a definition of play equipment.
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Item 1.
33
34 (SPONSORS: NEIL, SUDLER, AND DUCA)
35
36 Actions History
37 05/12/2026 - Introduction - Council Committee of the Whole/Legislative, Finance, and
38 Administration Committee
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Item 2.
CITY OF DOVER, DELAWARE
ACTION FORM
PROCEEDING: Council Committee of the Whole- Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee
DEPARTMENT OF ORIGIN: Planning, Inspections, and Community Development- Code Enforcement
DATE SUBMITTED: May 5, 2026
PREPARED BY: Eddie Kopp, CCEO, Chief Code Enforcement Officer
SUBJECT: Amendments to the Dover Code of Ordinances
REFERENCE: Chapter 106- Traffic and Vehicles, Article III.- Stopping, Standing and Parking, Division 1,
Section 106-123.
RELATED PROJECT: N/A
REVIEWED BY: Sharon J. Duca P.E., ICMA-CM, Acting City Manager/Interim Director of Planning,
Inspections, and Community Development
EXHIBITS: Ordinance 2026-06
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED: N/A
AMOUNT BUDGETED: N/A
FUNDING SOURCE (Dept./Page in CIP & Budget): N/A
TIMETABLE: 5/12/2026 -Introduction to Council Committee of the Whole
6/08/2026 -First Reading at City Council
6/22/2026 -Final Reading at City Council
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve the text amendments to the ordinance.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
• The amendments to this ordinance are minor text changes to clarify the ordinance further.
• The current ordinances use the term carrying capacity, which includes the weight of the vehicle, cargo, and
passengers.
• The average vehicle today weighs more than one ton, causing conflict within the ordinance.
• Updating the text to vehicle load capacity is aligned with the intent of the ordinance.
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Item 2.
City of Dover
PROPOSED ORDINANCE #2026-06
1 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN
2 COUNCIL MET:
3
4 That Chapter 106- Traffic and Vehicles, Article III.- Stopping, Standing and Parking, Division 1.
5 - Generally, Section 106-123. – Vehicle parking time limited where carrying capacity is in excess
6 of one ton, and trailer and recreation vehicle parking be amended by inserting the text indicated in
7 bold, blue, italics, and deleting the text indicated in red strikeout as follows:
8
9 Sec. 106-123. Vehicle parking time, vehicle load capacity, limited where carrying capacity is in
10 excess of one ton, and trailer, and recreational vehicle parking.
11
12 (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to park any vehicle with a carrying vehicle load
13 capacity of more than one ton, any trailer, which includes, but is not limited to, boat,
14 utility, construction or one that is used to carry goods regardless of weight capacity and
15 is designed to be towed or pulled by another vehicle, or any vehicle or trailer on the city
16 streets for a period longer than two consecutive hours.
17
18 (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to park any commercial vehicle with a carrying
19 vehicle load capacity of more than one ton, any trailer, which includes, but is not
20 limited to, utility, construction or one that is used to carry goods regardless of weight
21 capacity and is designed to be towed or pulled by another vehicle, or any vehicle or
22 trailer combination thereof, in any residential zone in the city except for temporary
23 parking for immediate deliveries, pickups, and/or service calls to residences or for
24 construction work on residential properties. A commercial vehicle shall be one which
25 that is used or maintained for the transportation of persons people, or property, or
26 goods, for hire, compensation, or profit, except taxicabs and rideshare.
27
28 (c) It shall be unlawful for any person to park a trailered boat under 25 feet on the streets of
29 Dover for a period longer than 12 consecutive hours. For any trailered boat with a
30 length of 25 feet or greater, refer to subsection (a).
31
32
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Item 2.
33 (d) It shall be unlawful for any recreational vehicle to park on any residential street for a
34 period longer than 12 consecutive hours without a permit. A resident owner of a
35 recreational vehicle may request a parking permit from the city to park on a residential
36 street in the vicinity of their residence for a period not to exceed 72 hours. The permit
37 would be made available at no cost to the resident. The parking permit shall be
38 displayed in the front window of the vehicle, visible from the street. A resident may
39 only request such a permit three times in any 12-month period.
40
41 (e) Nonresidents are exempt from subsection (d) for a period of up to seven days as long as
42 their recreational vehicle does not create a safety hazard or interfere with traffic in the
43 residential area that where they are parked in.
44
45 (f) All parking shall comply with the regulations in allowed in this section only applies
46 to streets that can accommodate parking in compliance with Aappendix A, Aarticle VI,
47 Ssection A.
48
49
50 ADOPTED: *
51
52 SYNOPSIS
53 This amendment clarifies and establishes a precise definition of vehicle capacity within the
54 ordinance. The current language does not adequately identify or define vehicle capacity.
55
56 (SPONSORS: NEIL, ANDERSON, SUDLER AND DUCA)
57
58 Actions History
59 05/12/2026 - Introduction - Council Committee of the Whole/Legislative, Finance, and
60 Administration Committee
27