Media weighs pros and cons of new county construction

MEDIA » Council President Brian Hall announced council would be holding a special meeting Oct. 5 for public input. The subject will be a proposal for construction of a building and parking facilities for the county.

Hall characterized the project presented by the county of Delaware as a “conceptual plan.” The garage and offices will be on a parcel bounded by Orange, Citron, Front and Third streets. Existing buildings, as well as the juror parking lot and employee garage, would be demolished.

County representatives have appeared before the Community Development Committee in the past months. This fairly common occurrence can begin the process of development — usually those which may have a significant impact. While the county’s plan is not new construction, Hall said the structure shown, to this point, is bigger and higher than existing buildings.

Among those impacts with the current plan would be a need to vacate a portion of Second Street between Orange and Citron streets. The residential neighborhood would not be landlocked, with other streets remaining accessible.

“We want input from those most affected — the residents,” said Hall. “There is nothing before council at this time to act on, just what the county would like. We are seeking public comment.”

The borough will notify by mail some households, essentially those in the immediate area. However anyone in the borough is welcome to attend the meeting 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5 in council chambers.

In another matter on the borough’s west side, council Vice President Paul Robinson proposed two board actions regarding the Third Street dam. With the partial breach of the dam, there is a buildup of grass and dirt near Broomall’s Lake Club. Robinson encouraged council to communicate with the club to dredge the lake “to make sure there is a lake” requiring the dam.

Hall said it would be worthwhile talking about the suggestion at the workshop meeting.

Robinson’s second idea received much more push back. He made a motion to authorize the solicitor to draft an ordinance to change the zoning specific to the club. The current zoning of R-2 and R-3 would permit several types of residential construction. Robinson indicated criteria would be satisfied for MERC (municipal, educational, recreation, community) zoning.

An ample amount of discussion ensued with Hall stating such a proposition should follow the process of going to the CDC, planning commission then council. Robinson countered he’d requested the matter be considered and was “going nowhere.” Councilman Peter Williamson opened the issue to the possibility of risk. Solicitor Bob Scott said he didn’t think a lawsuit was a “realistic” outcome and that the proposed zoning “made sense.” Scott’s reference to an “economic impact” of rezoning referred to elimination for Broomall’s Lake Club to develop land which is now a lake and related recreation.

Finally Hall framed issue as a “tension” Robinson’s two

“We would be asking (the club) to dredge the lake and rezoning their land,” Hall said.

Councilwoman Amy Johnson, who sits on the CDC, asked for it to be put on the commission’s Sept. 26 meeting as a means of moving forward on discussion. Williamson indicated support; Robinson withdrew his motion “out of respect for Williamson.”

“We want input from those most affected — the residents. There is nothing before council at this time to act on, just what the county would like. We are seeking public comment.” — Council President Brian Hal

the between initiatives.