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Record of Proceedings

Kent County Levy Court Business Meeting - September 1, 2026

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, September 1, 2026
BodyKent County, Delaware
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, September 1, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:24:20

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
3:42

This meeting is being transcribed and summarized.

4:42

At five five five Bay Road over Delaware one.

4:45

Levy Court Chamber room two oh three on Tuesday, September first, two thousand twenty-six.

4:51

County administrator shapeless president.

4:56

This meeting will be held in person at five five five Bay Road over dollar and the levy court chambers.

5:00

We're also making it available via the internet through WebEx.

5:03

Participants can join us by phone or by computer during the meeting.

5:06

There will be opportunities for public comment for those attending in person or online.

5:10

When the Vice President opens a public comment period, those attending in person may step forward to one of the two podiums and be recognized.

5:17

If you're joining us by phone and wish to comment, please press star three, which will raise your electronic hand.

5:22

Our operator will identify you and bring you into the meeting.

5:25

Pressing star six will mute and unmute your line.

5:28

If you are online, you will see a hand and microphone icon at the bottom of your screen.

5:32

Please use those at the appropriate times.

5:34

We ask the guest to begin public comments by stating your name and address for the record.

5:38

County attorney will administer an oath of affirmation to anyone giving testimony during public hearing.

5:44

We ask that public comments relate to the subject announced by the President.

5:47

Vice President.

5:48

In addition to public public hearings, there are two public comment periods.

5:52

One at the beginning of the meeting for agenda items and one near the end of the meeting for general comments.

5:57

This meeting is being recorded and will follow the rules and procedures adopted by Levy Court as well as the Mason Rules of Order.

6:02

Back to you, Mr.

6:03

Vice President.

6:04

Thank you, Mr.

6:05

Administrator.

6:06

Ms.

6:06

Tanaka.

6:07

Roll call.

6:11

Mr.

6:11

Angel.

6:12

Present.

6:13

Mr.

6:13

Hall?

6:14

Present.

6:15

Mr.

6:16

Hertz?

6:17

Here.

6:17

Mrs.

6:18

Maston, absent.

6:20

Mr.

6:21

Pepper?

6:21

Here.

6:22

Mr.

6:22

Sweeney?

6:23

Here.

6:24

Mr.

6:25

Scott.

6:26

Here.

6:27

Mr.

6:27

Vice President, roll call reveals six present, one absent.

6:32

Thank you, Mr.

6:32

Tanaka.

6:33

Since I went uh way out of order there.

6:35

We'll call the meeting to order this time, Commissioner Pepper, for invitation.

6:42

Oh, Rod, please.

6:50

Helen Father, thank you for allowing us to come together this evening to make important decisions affecting your land.

6:57

Please let our decisions be pleasing to you and our constituents.

7:03

Amen.

7:05

Thank you, Commissioner Pepper.

7:06

At this time I've asked uh Commissioner Hertz for a pledge of allegiance.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Zoning Variances████████████████16%
Personnel Matters███████████████15%
Education Programs██████████10%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Affordable Housing████████8%
Transportation Safety████████8%
Road Maintenance██████6%
Water And Wastewater Management██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Kent County Levy Court Business Meeting - September 1, 2026

The Kent County Levy Court held a business meeting on September 1, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Levy Court Chamber, Dover, Delaware. Six commissioners were present (one absent). The meeting covered routine approvals, presentations, a public hearing on personnel policy, and a major subdivision appeal. Public comments raised concerns about traffic, safety, and infrastructure impacts of the proposed Harmony Hills II development.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: Minutes from August 11, 2026, business meeting were approved.
  • Potential Action Items from August 25, 2026 Workshop:
    • SL-25-01 The Landings: Cash in Lieu of Active Open Space Requirement – approved.
    • Update Kent County Levy Court Policy Manual – approved.
    • EagleView Contract Renewal – approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Gerald Robinson (3908 Peach Tree Drive): Expressed concern about additional traffic from Harmony Hills II, questioning developer plans for traffic flow and entrances/exits.
  • Sheila Peace (3996 Peachtree Run): Asked how the development would integrate with the Star Hill community (civic association, school, community center, churches).
  • Dorotheen Abrams Rojas (636 Fochels Mill, Star Hill Road): Raised concerns about water and sewer capacity, resource strain, and whether the area would remain under Delaware State Police or be annexed into Camden Police jurisdiction (with associated tax implications).
  • Janette Glass (458 Bosch's Mill, Star Hill Road): Worried about school bus routing and overcrowding in Caesar Rodney School District; asked if new schools would be built.
  • Crystal Peace (3966 Peachtree Run): Questioned safety with one-way in/out; asked about emergency access regulations (e.g., tree blocking entrance).
  • Florida Johns (116 Lingo Drive, Dover): Concerned about property line proximity to her home, insufficient space for school buses, fire trucks, and trash collection; also asked about plans for houses vs. duplexes and traffic congestion.
  • Aubrey Hudson (Star Hill area): Noted the road (Peachtree Run) was historically serviced by DelDOT but service stopped after a daycare left; urged government agencies to cooperate to improve infrastructure for the 21st century.
  • Donah Barnes (63 Vanessa Drive): Criticized that existing traffic and safety issues on Peachtree Run are not addressed; said Star Hill is a historic neighborhood and new development would destroy it; called for solutions before adding more homes.

Discussion Items

  • Resolution 4177 – Literacy Month and Adult Education and Family Literacy Week: Proclamation recognizing September 13–19, 2026, as Adult Education and Family Literacy Week in Kent County. Representatives from Polytech Adult Education spoke about their programs serving 15,000 students annually. Approved unanimously.
  • September 2026 Employee of the Month: John DeAngelis, Engineering Project Specialist from Public Works, was recognized for his work delivering trash bins, creating districts, and excellent customer service over 30 years. Commissioners praised his dedication.
  • Public Hearing – Ordinance LC26-14: Amendment to personnel policy (Chapter 68, §68-7(D)(5)) updating pre-employment drug screening for safety-sensitive positions. No public testimony. Approved unanimously.
  • Old Business – Amendment of Effective Date for Ordinance 26-10: Clarified that sick leave changes are retroactive to August 11, 2026, while personal leave changes begin January 1, 2027. Approved unanimously.
  • New Business – SL-26-06 Harmony Hills II Appeal: Appeal of Regional Planning Commission's (RPC) denial of a 93-lot major subdivision (53 single-family homes, 40 duplexes) inside the Growth Zone overlay. The applicant (TPDL Management LLC, represented by Alex Burns and Frank DeMonty) argued all code requirements were met, including compliance with Senate Bill 23 (Housing for Every Delaware Act). Staff recommended approval. Commissioner Sweeney made a motion for conditional approval, including conditions for internal school bus stops, an entrance sign easement, and tree clearing restrictions. Commissioner Angel expressed moral concerns about single ingress/egress for safety but abstained to allow the issue to be addressed at the state level. Commissioner Hertz noted that under SB 23 and the Tony Ashburn case, the court must approve conforming applications. The motion passed 5-0-1 (one not voting, one absent).

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda 26-13: Approved unanimously (6 yes, 1 absent).
  • Resolution 4177: Approved unanimously.
  • Ordinance LC26-14: Approved unanimously.
  • Ordinance 26-10 Effective Date Amendment: Approved unanimously.
  • SL-26-06 Harmony Hills II: Motion to grant conditional approval passed 5 yes (Hall, Hertz, Pepper, Sweeney, Scott), 1 not voting (Angel), 1 absent (Maston). The applicant must comply with all staff and agency conditions, including a waiver for stormwater pond setbacks (35 ft and 40 ft instead of 100 ft), two internal school bus stops, an entrance sign easement, and bird nesting season tree clearing restrictions.
  • Executive Session: Not needed; meeting adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

This meeting is being transcribed and summarized. At five five five Bay Road over Delaware one. Levy Court Chamber room two oh three on Tuesday, September first, two thousand twenty-six. County administrator shapeless president. This meeting will be held in person at five five five Bay Road over dollar and the levy court chambers. We're also making it available via the internet through WebEx. Participants can join us by phone or by computer during the meeting. There will be opportunities for public comment for those attending in person or online. When the Vice President opens a public comment period, those attending in person may step forward to one of the two podiums and be recognized. If you're joining us by phone and wish to comment, please press star three, which will raise your electronic hand. Our operator will identify you and bring you into the meeting. Pressing star six will mute and unmute your line. If you are online, you will see a hand and microphone icon at the bottom of your screen. Please use those at the appropriate times. We ask the guest to begin public comments by stating your name and address for the record. County attorney will administer an oath of affirmation to anyone giving testimony during public hearing. We ask that public comments relate to the subject announced by the President. Vice President. In addition to public public hearings, there are two public comment periods. One at the beginning of the meeting for agenda items and one near the end of the meeting for general comments. This meeting is being recorded and will follow the rules and procedures adopted by Levy Court as well as the Mason Rules of Order. Back to you, Mr. Vice President. Thank you, Mr. Administrator. Ms. Tanaka. Roll call. Mr. Angel. Present. Mr. Hall? Present. Mr. Hertz? Here. Mrs. Maston, absent. Mr. Pepper? Here. Mr. Sweeney? Here. Mr. Scott. Here. Mr. Vice President, roll call reveals six present, one absent.

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