Ocean View public meetings in 2023
30 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board of Adjustment
The Board of Adjustment approved two variance requests unanimously. One allowed a patio and grill encroachment into a rear yard setback at 23 Murrells Court, subject to a drainage easement condition. The other reduced the required driveway setback from five feet to one foot for townhouse lots in the Shore Vista subdivision at 142 Woodland Avenue.
- Approved variance V-450 for patio/grill encroachment 1.81 ft into rear yard setback at 23 Murrells Court, with drainage easement condition (5-0)
- Approved variance V-451 reducing driveway setback from 5 ft to 1 ft for Shore Vista townhouse lots at 142 Woodland Avenue (5-0)
Planning & Zoning
The commission unanimously approved the final land development site plan for Shore Vista (P-342), a townhouse project by DRB Group, subject to four conditions: satisfying all outstanding town engineer comments from November 10, 2023; obtaining all outstanding agency approvals (including Sussex Conservation District and DNREC drainage); amending the master declaration to require the homeowners association to maintain a 30-foot wooded buffer; and providing further information on a Balsa Street drainage issue. The approval followed extensive staff review comments covering grading, drainage, landscaping, ADA compliance, and other technical items.
- Approved P-342 Shore Vista final site plan (5-0) with conditions including engineer comments, agency approvals, buffer maintenance, and Balsa Street drainage info
- Approved the meeting agenda (5-0)
- Approved the August 17, 2023 meeting minutes (5-0)
- Adjourned the meeting at 4:36pm (5-0)
Town Meetings
The Town Council unanimously approved a $495,294.67 contract with Mumford and Miller for Woodland Avenue and Daisey sidewalks, and approved a replacement emergency generator at 201 Central Avenue. The council also appointed Kittie Rehrig to the Board of Assessment and approved a Christmas bonus request not to exceed $1,600. All votes were 5-0.
- Approved $495,294.67 contract for Woodland Avenue and Daisey sidewalks (5-0)
- Approved replacement emergency generator at 201 Central Avenue (5-0)
- Appointed Kittie Rehrig to Board of Assessment (5-0)
- Approved Christmas bonus request not to exceed $1,600 (5-0)
Board of Adjustment
The Board of Adjustment unanimously denied two variance requests for a property at 32 Hudson Avenue. The applicant sought variances for exceeding the maximum lot coverage of 35% and for a driveway wider than 20 feet, both due to builder errors. The board found no exceptional practical difficulty to justify the variances.
- Denied variance for lot coverage exceeding 35% (5-0)
- Denied variance for driveway width exceeding 20 feet (5-0)
- Approved agenda (5-0)
- Approved minutes of July 20, 2023 meeting (5-0)
Town Meetings
The Town Council voted unanimously (4-0) to prohibit marijuana cultivation, manufacturing, testing, retail stores, and smoking lounges in all zoning districts. A related ordinance banning licenses for marijuana businesses also passed 4-0. The Council approved a property maintenance code update, a 15-year lease extension for the Ocean View Historic Society, a 3-year engineering contract with KCI, an appointment to the Board of Adjustment, and a memorandum of agreement with the state DTI.
- Approved ordinance banning marijuana cultivation, manufacturing, testing, retail stores, and smoking lounges in all zoning districts (4-0)
- Approved ordinance prohibiting licenses for marijuana-related businesses (4-0)
- Approved property maintenance code amendments adding nuisances and building/yard requirements (4-0)
- Approved 15-year lease extension for Ocean View Historic Society at 39 Central Avenue through 2040 with 5-year option (4-0)
- Awarded 3-year engineering services contract to KCI with two 1-year extension options (4-0)
- Appointed Ron Galey to the Board of Adjustment to fill Bob Lawless's vacancy (4-0)
- Approved memorandum of agreement with Delaware Department of Technology and Information (4-0)
Town Meetings
The Town Council unanimously approved the purchase of 8 Oakwood Avenue and a related grant application for the Outdoor Recreation and Parks Trail. No public comment was offered. The meeting lasted 46 minutes.
- Approved purchase of 8 Oakwood Avenue (4-0)
- Approved resolution for Outdoor Recreation and Parks Trail Grant application (4-0)
Town Meetings
The council unanimously approved a contract with Mumford and Miller for drainage improvements in the Cottages, accepted streets in Tidalwalk, and extended a property assessment contract through 2028. Public hearings on ordinances regarding land use, licenses, and property maintenance were held but no votes were taken.
- Awarded Mumford and Miller $812,861.40 drainage contract (5-0)
- Accepted streets in Tidalwalk (5-0)
- Approved 5-year extension of real property assessment contract through 12/31/2028 (5-0)
- Adopted agenda with amended order (5-0)
- Approved July 11, 2023 meeting minutes (5-0)
Planning & Zoning
The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that Town Council adopt an ordinance prohibiting marijuana cultivation, product manufacturing, testing, retail, and smoking lounges within Ocean View.
- Approved agenda unanimously (5-0)
- Approved July 20, 2023 minutes unanimously (5-0)
- Recommended ordinance banning marijuana facilities to Town Council (5-0)
Board of Adjustment
The Board of Adjustment unanimously approved two variance requests for the Silver Woods Mixed Use Planned Community townhouse district. One variance allows rolled curb instead of vertical face curb; the other reduces the driveway setback from 5 feet to 1.5 feet for 161 lots. Both were approved 5-0.
- Approved V-447: variance to allow Type 2 Integral Curb & Gutter (rolled curb) instead of Type 1 vertical face curb (5-0)
- Approved V-448: variance to reduce driveway setback from 5 feet to 1.5 feet for 161 townhouse lots (5-0)
Planning & Zoning
The Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously approved the final land development plan for the townhouse district within the Silver Woods mixed-use planned community, subject to conditions including revisions per the town engineer's July 18, 2023 comments, a ditch-filling timeline, and arborist oversight of tree buffers. The approval followed extensive discussion of drainage, grading, landscaping, and amenities, with public comments raising concerns about tree removal, parking, and noise.
- Approved final land development plan for Silver Woods townhouse district (5-0)
- Required revisions per town engineer's July 18, 2023 comments
- Mandated ditch-filling by 20th certificate of occupancy
- Required arborist inspection and protection of large trees in buffer area
- Required exact list and placement of plantings before certificates of occupancy
Town Meetings
The council unanimously approved a $60,000 contract with Adel Construction for ADA work at 201 Central Avenue, along with a $6,000 funding increase to Mott McDonald. They also approved additional funding for the Lord Baltimore Footbridge ($35,000, awarded to George & Lynch Inc for $124,839), DelDOT TAP Grant coordination ($30,000), and Berzins Parcel engineering ($25,000). Two ordinances restating the FY23 operating and capital budgets were also passed unanimously. No public comments or other substantive decisions were made.
- Approved ordinance restating FY23 annual operating budget (5-0)
- Approved ordinance restating FY23-27 capital improvements budget (5-0)
- Approved $6,000 funding increase to Mott McDonald for ADA project (5-0)
- Approved $60,000 contract with Adel Construction for ADA requirements at 201 Central Avenue (5-0)
- Approved $35,000 additional funding and awarded Lord Baltimore Footbridge project to George & Lynch Inc for $124,839 (5-0)
- Approved $30,000 additional funding for DelDOT TAP Grant coordination for Woodland/Daisey Project (5-0)
- Approved $25,000 additional funding for engineering costs for Berzins Parcel (5-0)
Town Meetings
The Town Council voted unanimously to appoint Tom Maly to the Planning and Zoning Commission to complete Jay Tyminski's term. They also approved banking resolutions for WSFS and Fulton Bank due to the new Mayor Pro-tem, and voted to convert a town generator from propane to natural gas. Two ordinances were introduced to restate the FY23 operating budget and the FY23-27 capital expenditures budget.
- Appointed Tom Maly to Planning & Zoning Commission (5-0)
- Approved WSFS banking resolution (5-0)
- Approved Fulton banking resolution (5-0)
- Approved conversion of generator from propane to natural gas (5-0)
- Introduced ordinance to restate FY23 Annual Operating Budget
- Introduced ordinance to restate FY23-27 Capital Expenditures Budget
Board of Adjustment
The Board of Adjustment unanimously approved three variance requests: a flood-elevation variance for an addition at 27 Hudson Avenue, a lot-coverage variance for a patio at 14 Seabrook Road, and a rear-yard setback variance for a patio at 34 Old Forge Drive. All votes were 4-0.
- Approved flood-elevation variance for 27 Hudson Avenue addition (4-0)
- Approved lot-coverage variance for 14 Seabrook Road patio (4-0)
- Approved rear-yard setback variance for 34 Old Forge Drive patio (4-0)
Planning & Zoning
The commission unanimously approved the preliminary site plan for Shore Vista, a 104-lot subdivision at 142 Woodland Avenue. The vote was 3-0 after receiving required documents including a wetlands report and traffic study. Public comments raised concerns about stormwater management, buffers, and trash collection.
- Approved agenda as presented (3-0)
- Approved minutes of April 20, 2023 (3-0)
- Approved preliminary site plan for Shore Vista subdivision (3-0)
Town Meetings
The meeting was a routine reorganization session. Council unanimously elected Donald Walsh as Mayor Pro-tem, approved the FY24 meeting calendar, and reappointed members to the Board of Adjustment, Planning & Zoning Commission, Board of Assessment, and Board of Election. No substantive policy decisions were made.
- Elected Donald Walsh as Mayor Pro-tem (5-0)
- Approved FY24 meeting calendar (5-0)
- Reappointed Sue NeGreg and Greg Neuner to Board of Adjustment (5-0)
- Reappointed Kent Liddle to Planning & Zoning Commission (5-0)
- Reappointed Bob Lawless, Ed Donnelly, and Bill Olsen to Board of Assessment (5-0)
- Reappointed Baptist Damiano to Board of Election (5-0)
Board of Adjustment
The Board of Adjustment approved a variance for Joanne Gichner to keep a pole building on a lot without a principal dwelling, conditioned on a house being permitted within three years. A separate variance request for a porch addition at 8 Winchester Drive was amended to allow only a one-foot encroachment. Both decisions were unanimous.
- Approved variance V-445 for pole barn without principal dwelling, conditioned on house permit within 3 years (3-0)
- Amended variance V-444 for porch encroachment to allow only 1-foot setback reduction (3-0)
Planning & Zoning
The Commission approved a minor subdivision application (P-344) to divide two parcels into three lots, subject to final site plan approval. The applicant intends to give each lot to one of her three children for future home construction. Conditions include removal of an existing pole barn or obtaining a variance, and compliance with dimensional, topographic, floodplain, and utility requirements.
- Approved agenda as presented (3-0)
- Approved minutes of February 16, 2023 (3-0)
- Approved minor subdivision P-344 at 31 Woodland Ave and 28 Central Ave, subject to final site plan approval (3-0)
Town Meetings
The Board of Supervisors of Elections certified the election results for Mayor and Council District 3, proclaiming John Reddington as Mayor and Joseph Tyminski as Town Council member for District 3. Both motions passed unanimously 6-0. The board also approved the minutes from March 15 and March 27, 2023, and appointed Gayle Driver as Chair after Chairman Damiano resigned.
- Approved agenda (6-0)
- Approved minutes of March 15, 2023 (6-0)
- Approved minutes of March 27, 2023 (6-0)
- Approved election of Joseph Tyminski to Town Council District 3 (6-0)
- Certified election results proclaiming John Reddington Mayor (6-0)
- Appointed Gayle Driver as Chair (6-0)
- Adjourned meeting at 10:18am (6-0)
Town Meetings
The Ocean View Town Council voted unanimously to adopt the FY24 operating budget and a revised capital expenditures budget for 2024-2028. They also approved a three-year ambulance subscription fee increase from $35 to $50 for town properties, a water service agreement amendment, a new fee schedule, a maintenance contract, and additional funding for drainage and culvert projects. All votes were 5-0.
- Approved FY24 Operating Budget (5-0)
- Approved revision of Capital Expenditures Budget for FY2024-2028 (5-0)
- Approved three-year ambulance subscription fee increase to $50 for town properties (5-0)
- Approved Water Service Agreement Amendment #4 with Tidewater Utilities (5-0)
- Approved Resolution establishing a Fee Schedule for the Town (5-0)
- Awarded Municipal Maintenance Contract OVPZ&D 23-10 to George & Lynch Inc. (5-0)
- Approved additional funding for Country Estates Drainage Improvements (5-0)
- Approved additional funding for Hudson Avenue Pipe Culvert (5-0)
Town Meetings
The Board of Election Commissioners voted unanimously to keep Candidates' Night on March 29th after hearing a challenge from candidate Richard Jennison. The board also approved Gayle Driver as moderator, allowed audience questions from the microphone, and kept the 3-minute introduction limit, defeating a motion to extend it to 5 minutes.
- Denied request to cancel Candidates' Night (unanimous 6-0)
- Approved Gayle Driver as moderator (5-0, Driver abstained)
- Approved allowing audience to speak and ask questions (5-1)
- Kept 3-minute introduction limit (5-1)
- Defeated motion to extend introduction time to 5 minutes (5-1)
Town Meetings
The Board of Assessment unanimously denied Raymond Wockley's appeal of his property assessment at 3 Edisto Court. The board found the assessment fair and standardized, with the only change being a $1,600 increase for a new patio. No other substantive decisions were made.
- Denied Raymond Wockley's property assessment appeal (3-0)
- Nominated Bob Lawless as Chairperson (3-0)
- Approved the agenda as presented (3-0)
- Adjourned meeting at 1:56pm (3-0)
Town Meetings
The Board of Election Commissioners approved the agenda, reorganized its leadership by electing Baptist Damiano as chair and Caryn Cleveland-Short as vice chair, and certified four candidates for mayor and district seats. The board also voted to keep the three-minute time limit for candidate introductions and decided to hold training at 201 Central Avenue on a Monday afternoon.
- Approved agenda (7-0)
- Elected Baptist Damiano as chair (7-0)
- Elected Caryn Cleveland-Short as vice chair (7-0)
- Certified John Reddington as candidate for mayor (7-0)
- Certified Randy Robust as candidate for mayor (7-0)
- Certified Jay Tyminski as candidate for District 3 (7-0)
- Certified Richard Jennison as candidate for District 3 (7-0)
- Kept three-minute time limit for candidate introductions (7-0)
Town Meetings
The council introduced ordinances for the FY2024 operating budget and capital expenditures budget, and approved a grant request from the Millville Volunteer Fire Company. Two appointments to the Board of Election Commission were also confirmed. No final votes were taken on the budget ordinances; they were only introduced.
- Introduced ordinance establishing annual operating budget for FY ending April 30, 2024
- Introduced ordinance revising capital expenditures budget for FY 2024-2028
- Approved appointment of Gayle Driver to Board of Election Commission (5-0)
- Approved appointment of Bette Meredith to Board of Election Commission (5-0)
- Approved annual grant request from Millville Volunteer Fire Company (5-0)
Town Meetings
The Town Council discussed the proposed FY24 operating budget, capital improvements budget, and water budget, which includes no tax rate increase and a 6.39% cost-of-living adjustment for most employees. The council decided to move the budget forward as presented and canceled a previously scheduled March 28th workshop. No formal votes were taken on the budget itself.
- Adopted meeting agenda as presented (4-0)
- Decided to move proposed FY24 budget forward as presented
- Canceled March 28th workshop as not needed
- Adjourned meeting at 3:39pm (4-0)
Town Meetings
The Town Council voted unanimously to reinstate the original election calendar dates of February 28 for mayor and March 13 for District 3 council, as recommended by the town solicitor to comply with state code. No other substantive decisions were made; the meeting was largely procedural.
- Approved amended election calendar reinstating original dates (5-0)
Board of Adjustment
The Board of Adjustment voted 4-0 to deny a variance requested by Shane Truitt to build a detached pole building at 13 Longview Drive. The property is zoned R-1, and the proposed structure would have exceeded the maximum allowable lot coverage (44% vs. 35% limit) and the maximum height for accessory structures (18 feet vs. 14 feet limit). Board members found no exceptional practical difficulty to justify the variance.
- Denied variance V-441 for lot coverage and height at 13 Longview Drive (4-0)
Planning & Zoning
The Commission deferred a vote on the Shore Vista preliminary development plan (104 townhouses) to allow the applicant to address extensive staff comments on wetlands, traffic, drainage, and grading. No substantive decisions were made; the item will return for a future vote.
- Deferred vote on Shore Vista preliminary plan (4-0)
- Approved agenda as presented (4-0)
- Approved November 17, 2022 minutes (4-0)
- Adjourned meeting at 4:27 p.m. (4-0)
Town Meetings
The council unanimously approved an ordinance amending conditions of approval for 115.59 acres annexed into town (Silverstock Builders, LLC) after a public hearing. The council also approved the 2023 election calendar with corrected dates and parking restrictions on Willow Oak and October Glory Avenues. The proposed FY24 budget was presented with no tax increase; a vote is scheduled for April 11.
- Amended conditions of approval for 115.59 acres annexed by Ordinances 282, 321, and 353 (Silverstock Builders, LLC) (4-0)
- Approved 2023 election calendar with amended closing dates for mayor and district 3 (4-0)
- Approved parking restrictions on one side of Willow Oak and October Glory Avenues (4-0)
Board of Adjustment
The Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a variance to allow wall signs perpendicular to the building at 24 Village Green Drive, exceeding the 12-inch projection limit. The applicant cited safety concerns because the building is close to the roadway and parallel signs would be less visible. The town's Planning and Development office did not oppose the request.
- Approved variance V-440 for perpendicular wall signs at 24 Village Green Drive (5-0)
Town Meetings
The council unanimously approved two construction contracts: $299,535 for Savannah's Landing ADA improvements and $323,878 for Woodland Sidewalks from SR26 to Hudson Avenue. They also unanimously adopted the Sussex County Hazard Mitigation Plan and discussed FY24 budget with a goal of no tax increase. A public hearing was held on an ordinance amending conditions for a 115.59-acre annexation (Silverstock Builders), but no vote was taken on that item.
- Approved $299,535 contract with George and Lynch for Savannah's Landing ADA improvements (5-0)
- Approved $323,878 contract with A Del Construction for Woodland Sidewalks, SR26 to Hudson Avenue (5-0)
- Adopted the Sussex County Hazard Mitigation Plan (5-0)
- Approved minutes of November 8, 2022 regular meeting (5-0)
- Adopted agenda as amended (5-0)