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Ocean View, Delaware

Ocean View public meetings in 2024

24 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.

Thu Dec 19, 2024

Planning & Zoning

✓ Decided: Planning commission approves Verizon tower site plan on conditions

The commission unanimously approved a preliminary and final site plan for a telecommunications tower at 222 Maintenance Road, contingent on the applicant securing and recording necessary easements and meeting all other outstanding conditions noted in the town engineer's review letter.

Thu Nov 21, 2024

Board of Adjustment

✓ Decided: Board approves two variances for residential properties

The Board of Adjustment approved two variance applications. One allows a garage to project 5 feet into the required side yard setback at 27 South Primrose Lane. The other permits lot coverage of 36.2% (1.2% over the 35% maximum) at 36 Hudson Avenue, correcting a contractor error.

Thu Nov 21, 2024

Planning & Zoning

✓ Decided: Lot consolidation approved for 79 Woodland Ave and three Atlantic Ave parcels

The Planning & Zoning Commission approved a lot consolidation plan (P-354) for four parcels at 79 Woodland Avenue and 72, 76, 80 Atlantic Avenue, contingent on compliance with engineering comments. A concept plan for a bank and office building at 33, 35, 39 Atlantic Avenue (P-355) was reviewed but no vote was taken. The meeting also included swearing-in of a new member and approval of prior minutes.

Tue Nov 12, 2024

Town Meetings

✓ Decided: Council approves smoking ban in parks with designated areas

The Ocean View Town Council approved an ordinance prohibiting smoking in public parks, with an amendment allowing designated smoking areas. The council also approved a 6% Gross Rental Receipts Tax increase, hired a financial advisor for long-range planning, authorized $12,000 for shower stall repairs, and opted out of the state paid family leave plan for a private alternative.

Tue Oct 8, 2024

Town Meetings

✓ Decided: Ocean View Council receives clean audit, introduces no-smoking ordinance

The Ocean View Town Council held a regular meeting on October 8, 2024, with all four council members present. They received the 2024 audit report with an unmodified opinion and net position of $28.6 million, introduced a first reading of a No Smoking in Town Parks Ordinance for November, and went into executive session with no decisions made. No other substantive actions were taken.

Thu Sep 12, 2024

Town Meetings

✓ Decided: Council approves ORPT grant, lighting contract, tree trimming, snow removal, planning commission appointment, and speed monitor

The Ocean View Town Council unanimously approved six items: a resolution for an ORPT grant for an outdoor classroom at Berzin’s Nature Trail; a $47,809 lighting contract with Byers Industrial Services at 33 West Avenue; a three-year tree trimming contract with SavATree Inc.; a five-year snow removal contract with SMI Site Services (budgeted $30,000 annually); the appointment of Sharon DiNoto to the Planning and Zoning Commission (term ending May 2025); and the purchase of a mobile speed awareness monitor using $14,454.20 in ARPA funds. In executive session, the council also supported adding one part-time assistant administrative position to the police department to meet state mandates.

Thu Jul 18, 2024

Board of Adjustment

✓ Decided: Board unanimously approves 185-ft Verizon tower in Bear Trap Dunes

The Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a height variance and special exception for Verizon to build a 185-foot telecommunications tower on Maintenance Road in Bear Trap Dunes, exceeding the 35-foot height limit by 150 feet. The board found the tower met all required criteria, including no substantial detriment to the public good and benefits outweighing detriments. Public comment was mixed, with some residents opposing due to property value and health concerns, while others supported improved cell service.

Thu Jul 18, 2024

Planning & Zoning

✓ Decided: Planning Commission reviews Verizon cell tower concept plan, no vote taken

The Ocean View Planning & Zoning Commission reviewed a concept site plan for a Verizon cell tower at 222-245 Maintenance Rd. The plan was presented for discussion only; no vote was taken. Commissioners heard technical details on fencing, lighting, and structural standards, and a formal preliminary/final site plan hearing will be held in the future.

Tue Jul 9, 2024

Town Meetings

✓ Decided: Council unanimously approves sale of water system to Tidewater Utilities

The Town Council voted 5-0 to approve the sale of the water distribution system to Tidewater Utilities, pending PSC and USDA approval. They also unanimously approved restatements of the FY24 operating and capital budgets. A letter from Miken Builders requesting rezoning of a Windmill Drive property was introduced but no vote was taken.

Tue Jun 25, 2024

Town Meetings

✓ Decided: Town Council hears presentation on water system sale to Tidewater Utilities

The Town Council received a presentation from staff and Tidewater Utilities regarding the pending sale of the town's water distribution system. No vote or decision was taken on the sale; the item was informational only. Citizens asked questions about agricultural wells and billing. The meeting was procedural and adjourned without substantive action.

Thu Jun 20, 2024

Planning & Zoning

✓ Decided: Commission approves minor subdivision at 9 Oakland Avenue

The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a minor subdivision application (P-353) to split one lot into three lots at 9 Oakland Avenue, zoned R-1 Single-Family Residential. Approval was conditioned on addressing engineering comments, including moving non-conforming sheds and providing utility and floodplain information. Public comment raised concerns about sidewalks, drainage, and house sizes.

Tue Jun 11, 2024

Town Meetings

✓ Decided: Council hears water system sale presentation, introduces budget ordinances

The council received a presentation on the proposed sale of the water distribution system, which would net the town about $152,000 and affect 971 properties. Two ordinances were introduced to restate the FY24 operating budget and the FY24-28 capital expenditure budget. All reports were received and filed, and the meeting adjourned without any citizen comments or executive session.

Thu May 16, 2024

Planning & Zoning

✓ Decided: Approved minor subdivision at 23 Holly Lane (4-0)

The Commission unanimously approved a minor subdivision application (P-352) to split one lot into two at 23 Holly Lane, subject to conditions in the planning engineer's letter. The applicant agreed to demolish a non-conforming shed. No public comment was received.

Tue May 14, 2024

Town Meetings

✓ Decided: Council approves $324,945 drainage contract and demolition contract

The Town Council unanimously approved a $324,945.85 contract with A-DEL Construction for Country Estates Drainage Improvements Phase II, and a $15,625 contract with Walker Construction for demolition of 8 Oakwood Avenue. A resolution to open a new bank account at Fulton Bank for employee flexible spending was also approved unanimously. The council entered executive session but took no votes or action.

Tue Apr 23, 2024

Town Meetings

✓ Decided: Council reappoints board members, approves meeting calendar and insurance broker change

The Ocean View Town Council held a reorganization meeting, swearing in Council Member Donald Walsh and electing him Mayor Pro-tem. The council unanimously approved the yearly meeting calendar, reappointments to several boards, and a change in insurance broker to Strategic Insurance Partners, saving $38,000. A beer garden event was discussed but no vote was taken.

Thu Apr 18, 2024

Planning & Zoning

✓ Decided: Planning Commission approves two minor subdivisions unanimously

The Ocean View Planning & Zoning Commission approved two minor subdivision applications, each splitting one lot into two, with conditions from the town engineer's review. Both votes were unanimous (4-0). No public comments were made on either application.

Tue Apr 9, 2024

Town Meetings

✓ Decided: Council unanimously approves FY2024 operating budget and capital plan

The Ocean View Town Council voted unanimously to adopt the FY2024 operating budget and the revised capital expenditures budget for FY2025–2029. They also approved an $80,000 grant to the Millville Volunteer Fire Company for a new van and air-packs, authorized $12,585 for duct cleaning at 201 Central Avenue, and adopted the FY25 fee schedule. All votes were 5-0.

Thu Mar 21, 2024

Town Meetings

✓ Decided: Town election cancelled, incumbent certified

The Board of Supervisors of Elections certified Don Walsh as reelected for District 4 and voted unanimously to cancel the 2024 town election. No other substantive decisions were made.

Thu Mar 21, 2024

Board of Adjustment

✓ Decided: Board of Adjustment unanimously approves lot depth variance for Windmill Drive property

The Board of Adjustment approved a variance (V-452) for two proposed lots at 32625 Windmill Drive, reducing the minimum lot depth from 100 feet to approximately 94 feet. The variance was granted because the state's road project took 21 feet of frontage, making the lots non-conforming through no fault of the owners. All other setbacks are met.

Tue Mar 12, 2024

Town Meetings

✓ Decided: Council approves FY25 budget, paving contract, and reserve study

The Ocean View Town Council voted unanimously on several items, including the FY25 annual budget, the FY2025-2029 capital budget, an updated 2024 Reserve Study, and a street paving contract with Jerry's Paving, Inc. They also approved an emergency sole source purchase of transfer switches for the generator and updated the Town Policy Manual's purchasing section. All decisions were made by unanimous 5-0 votes.

Tue Feb 27, 2024

Town Meetings

✓ Decided: Council reviews FY2025 balanced budget, warns of future deficits

The Town Council held a workshop to review the proposed FY2025 budget of $5,870,245, which keeps the tax rate at $0.2378 per $100 assessed value. The budget is balanced for FY2025, but the five-year outlook shows revenue shortfalls from FY2026 through FY2029, indicating a possible future tax increase. No formal votes were taken on the budget; the council decided no additional workshop was needed.

Tue Feb 13, 2024

Town Meetings

✓ Decided: Council appoints Marie Curran to Board of Election, approves water agreement

The Town Council unanimously approved the appointment of Marie Curran to the Board of Election to fill a vacancy. They also unanimously approved Amendment #5 to the Water Service Agreement with Tidewater Utilities. A vote on the Updated 2024 Reserve Study was deferred to the next meeting. The meeting included several reports and presentations but no other substantive decisions.

Thu Jan 18, 2024

Planning & Zoning

✓ Decided: Commission approves two condominium projects on Central Avenue

The Planning & Zoning Commission approved two subdivision applications: a concept plan for a 16-lot single-family subdivision at 107 Central Avenue (P-346) was allowed to proceed to preliminary plan, and two condominium projects (P-347 and P-348) at 129 Central Avenue were approved unanimously 5-0. The commission also approved the agenda and prior meeting minutes unanimously.

Tue Jan 9, 2024

Town Meetings

✓ Decided: Council approves FY25 budget direction, election calendar, and Oakwood parking lot

The council unanimously approved the FY25 budget direction, including a discount on prompt property tax payments, no reliance on transfer tax, CPI-based wage increases, sick leave buyback, and a new police vehicle. They also approved the 2024 election calendar with a revised voting machine request deadline of February 13, 2024. Additionally, they authorized the town manager to proceed with converting 8 Oakwood Avenue into a parking lot using grant, ORPT, and ARPA funds, and to give away the existing house if possible.