Delaware City Council Regular Meeting - October 27, 2025

The Delaware City Council held its regular meeting on October 27, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered a range of items including liquor permits, consent agenda, public comments, public hearings on zoning and development plans, code amendments, and financial matters. Key decisions included approvals of new liquor permits, a zoning map amendment for townhomes, development plans for a Longhorn Steakhouse and a senior rental community, disposal of city-owned property, and authorization for the city to join a health insurance consortium. Several ordinances were advanced to second or third readings.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the motion summary from the October 13, 2025 meeting (7-0 vote).
• Approved consent agenda items including: accepting Airport Commission minutes, authorizing an airport grant application, and setting public hearing dates for November 10 and November 24, 2025 for multiple ordinances (7-0 vote).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tim Bachelor (30-81 Columbus Pike, land steward at MTSO) requested council consider an amendment to city code to allow controlled bow hunting on two parcels of MTSO’s 80+ acres to manage deer overpopulation. He cited crop damage at Seminary Hill Farm, $15,000 annual mitigation costs, and safety concerns. He outlined proposed safety measures including hunter certification, elevated stands, and notification to law enforcement. No action was taken; the request was noted.
• Deborah Giebert (265 West Fountain Avenue) spoke during the public hearings on the $1 million and $8.5 million bond ordinances. She expressed concern about adding debt when the city already has $55 million in debt and questioned the financial prudence, noting that expenditures have increased 59% over three years while revenue increased 24%. She also suggested adding links to the online agenda for better understanding of code references.

Discussion Items

• Liquor Permits (Penn Strikes & Meeker Rentals): Assistant Police Chief Juston Herning presented both requests with no objections from the police department. Both were approved 7-0.
• Ordinance 25-59 – Zoning Map Amendment (Maronda Homes): Sandra Pereira presented the rezoning of 44.05 acres at Peach Blow Road from A-1 to R-PUD for fee-simple townhomes (net density 5 units/acre). The property is annexed into the city. Planning commission and staff recommended approval. Council suspended rules and approved 7-0 (suspension passed 6-1, with Councilman Rider voting no).
• Resolution 25-76 – Longhorn Steakhouse Development Plan: A 5,700 sq ft restaurant on 2.355 acres at Coughlin Crossing. Approval with conditions. Passed 7-0.
• Resolution 25-77 – Briar Hill Villas Development Plan: A 62-unit senior rental community on 8.23 acres at Houk Road and Lansdale Drive. Includes clubhouse and amenities. Council discussed maintenance of Lansdale Drive (private road) and coordination with adjacent property owner. Passed 7-0.
• Ordinance 25-62 – Sidewalk Maintenance Code Amendments: City Engineer Jonathan Owen presented updates to Chapter 909 to align with current practice and PROWAG standards. Changes include reducing allowable vertical lip from 1/2 inch to 1/4 inch, and updating repair criteria. Council held for second reading after discussion.
• Ordinance 25-57 – $1,000,000 Notes for Byxbe Road: Notes for right-of-way acquisition. Finance Director Rob Alger noted the debt will be reimbursed via a future New Community Authority. Council held for third reading.
• Ordinance 25-58 – $8,500,000 Notes for Merrick Boulevard Extension: Notes for construction costs. Debt service will be covered by TIF and NCA payments from the Parkview and Lucy Ridge areas. Construction scheduled for 2026. Council held for third reading.
• Ordinance 25-61 – Disposal of London Road Property: City-owned parcel acquired for storm sewer easement; no longer needed. To be sold by auction. Council suspended rules and passed 7-0 (suspension passed 6-1, with Councilwoman Griffith voting no).
• Ordinance 25-63 – Utilities Code Repeal/Replace: First reading; public hearing set for November 10.
• Ordinance 25-64 – Fee Schedule Amendment: First reading; emergency declared; public hearing set for November 10.
• Ordinance 25-65 – 2026 Appropriations: First reading; emergency declared; public hearings set for November 10 and November 24.
• Resolution 25-81 – Finance Committee Budget Review: Authorized Finance Committee to review 2026 budget. Passed 7-0.
• Ordinance 25-66 – Release/Indemnity with Shelly Company: Held for another reading to narrow damage scope.
• Ordinance 25-67 – Competitive Bidding Procedures: Updates to allow electronic bid submissions and optional pre-bid meetings. Public hearing set for November 10.
• Resolution 25-83 – Jefferson Health Plan Agreement: Authorizes city manager to join a self-insurance consortium for stop-loss coverage, projected to reduce premiums by 5%. Passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Approved two new liquor permits (Penn Strikes and Meeker Rentals) with 7-0 votes.
• Approved consent agenda unanimously.
• Approved Ordinance 25-59 (zoning map amendment for Maronda Homes townhomes) after suspending rules (6-1 vote to suspend, 7-0 to adopt).
• Approved Resolution 25-76 (Longhorn Steakhouse development plan) 7-0.
• Approved Resolution 25-77 (Briar Hill Villas development plan) 7-0.
• Held Ordinance 25-62 (sidewalk code) for second reading.
• Held Ordinance 25-57 (Byxbe Road notes) and Ordinance 25-58 (Merrick Boulevard notes) for third readings.
• Approved Ordinance 25-61 (disposal of London Road property) after suspending rules (6-1 to suspend, 7-0 to adopt).
• Approved Resolution 25-81 (Finance Committee budget review) 7-0.
• Approved Resolution 25-83 (Jefferson Health Plan agreement) 7-0.
• Set public hearings for November 10 and November 24, 2025 for various ordinances.