Kent County Regional Planning Commission Public Hearing - October 1, 2026

The Kent County Regional Planning Commission held a public hearing on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Levy Court Chambers, Dover, Delaware. The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual participation via Webex and phone. The sole agenda item was a public hearing on application CS-26-06 from Faith Life Church for conditional use site plan approval to expand an existing detached building from 1,500 to 3,500 square feet for use as a place of worship on a 5.218-acre parcel located outside the Growth Zone Overlay District. The commission took no final decision at the hearing, keeping the record open for two business days.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Applicant’s Presentation (Kevin Minick, engineer): Minick presented the application, noting that a variance for setbacks had been approved by the Board of Adjustment in April/May 2026. Stormwater management would be handled under a standard plan, and a pre-submittal meeting with DelDOT was favorable. He agreed to add additional handicap parking spaces and expressed willingness to incorporate conditions from the staff report, including a bicycle rack.
• Testimony in Favor (Ronald Fisher, trustee): Fisher expressed excitement about the project and commitment to being good neighbors. He noted that the church aims to make a positive impact in Marydale, similar to their 52-year presence in Chestertown. He commented that he had seen only one bicycle on Ends Road but supported providing a bike rack if needed.
• Testimony in Favor (Joshua Jeffers): Jeffers spoke in support, stating the church would add value and community spirit, bringing love, joy, and peace to the neighborhood without taking away.
• No Opposition: No members of the public spoke in opposition, either in person or online.

Discussion Items

• Commissioner Comments and Conditions:
  • A commissioner raised the need for more than one handicap parking space. Minick initially proposed one based on a 1-per-25 ratio but agreed to add at least two or three spaces after a commissioner noted that even a church of 50-60 people often uses all four of its handicap spots. The commission suggested making three handicap spaces a condition.
  • Commissioner Gauvery requested that the required 26 trees (from the staff report) be native to Delaware or indigenous to the region to support local habitat. Minick confirmed the landscape plan already uses native trees and agreed to a condition specifying native species.
  • A commissioner noted that the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (Den Rec) had extensive stock recommendations on trees, but staff clarified that these were standard comments based on maps, not the actual site plan, since the application does not impact existing trees.

Key Outcomes

• No Decision Tonight: The commission took no final vote on the application at this hearing. The record remains open for two business days (until October 3, 2026) for additional written testimony.
• Conditions Discussed: The applicant agreed to add at least two or three handicap parking spaces and to plant native trees as part of the landscape plan. These are expected to be included as conditions if the application is approved at a later meeting.
• Public Hearing Closure: The hearing was adjourned after all testimony was received and no further public comments or commission business were raised. The next meeting is scheduled for the following week.