Milford Planning Commission Meeting Summary – March 17, 2026

The Milford Planning Commission held a meeting on March 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included two public hearings on conditional use applications and a new business item for a preliminary site plan. All voting members were present except Commissioner Redden recused himself from the second hearing. The commission voted on waivers, variances, and site plan approvals.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public signed up to speak during the initial 15-minute public comment period; the period was closed.
• During the second public hearing (Mae Stanley short-term rental), Julie Morris (21142 Cedar B. True) asked remotely who had recused themselves (Commissioner Redden, due to living within 200 feet of the property).

Discussion Items

Public Hearing 1: Ordinance 2026-02 – CCGTL Properties LLC (Preliminary Conditional Use for Office Building)

• Project Description: Applicant Justin Hodges seeks to add a fourth tenant space by constructing a new building on an existing 3-unit office property at 282 North Rehoboth Boulevard (zoned C3 Highway Commercial). The site requires a conditional use approval because four or more non-residential tenant spaces are proposed.
• Variances Granted (by Board of Adjustment): Reduction in parking stall length from 18 ft to 15 ft (existing condition) and drive aisle width from 24 ft to 21 ft.
• Waivers Requested: From §230-20K (permanent upright curbing) to maintain existing parking lot drainage; from §197-14 (sidewalk along frontage) in lieu of paying into DelDOT’s shared-use path fund.
• Applicant Position: Hodges stated that adding curbing would impede natural stormwater flow across the property; neighbors were consulted and support the project; the parking lot is existing and will not be expanded; the new building will improve ADA access and add landscaping and a fence.
• Commission Questions: Addressed ADA access, parking for disabled persons, connectivity of sidewalks, and the impact of waivers on stormwater management. Staff clarified that the variances and waivers run with the land but future changes in use would trigger re-review.
• Public Testimony: No one spoke in favor, opposed, or in general.

Public Hearing 2: Ordinance 2026-03 – Mae Stanley (Conditional Use for Short-Term Rental)

• Project Description: Applicant Mae Stanley seeks to use an existing single-family detached dwelling at 7 Causey Avenue (zoned C2 Central Business District) as a short-term rental (less than 30 days). The city processes this as a motel/hotel conditional use under C2, since short-term rentals are not specifically listed in that district.
• Applicant Position: Stanley stated she and her husband live 12 minutes away and will manage the property personally; maximum occupancy of 8 people, maximum stay of one week; no parties; on-street parking limited to two vehicles; the property has been fully renovated.
• Commission Questions: Addressed management, parking limits, and whether the property would be subject to hotel fire/sprinkler requirements (staff said it would be treated as a single-family home). Commissioner Redden recused himself, leaving six voting members.
• Public Testimony: No one spoke in favor or opposed. One remote attendee (Julie Morris) asked about the recusal.

New Business: PSP 228 2025 – Ashley Furniture Preliminary Site Plan

• Project Description: A 30,380 sq. ft. retail furniture showroom on a 4.9-acre vacant parcel on Calvary Road (zoned C3). No public hearing required since it is a permitted use. The applicant’s engineer, Edwin Tanafoss, presented the plan.
• Pending Variances: Two variances already granted by Board of Adjustment (reduced parking from ~150 to ~70 spaces, and loading berths from 3 to 1). Two additional requests (freestanding sign height and building height parapet exemption) remain with the Board and do not affect the site plan.
• Applicant Position: Tanafoss explained that the store is a showroom only; furniture is shipped from Delmar, so minimal loading is needed; the 70 parking spaces meet their operational experience.
• Commission Questions: Discussed parking ratio origins, future changes in use (staff noted room for expansion to the north), traffic on Calvary Road, and landscaping buffer along Lighthouse Estates.
• Public Testimony: None (no public hearing).

Key Outcomes

• Waiver 1 (upright curbing – §230-20K): Motion to approve carried 7-0. Commissioners cited no impediment to stormwater flow and encouragement of redevelopment.
• Waiver 2 (sidewalk – §197-14): Motion to approve carried 7-0. Commissioners noted the applicant’s payment into the DelDOT fund in lieu of construction.
• Preliminary Conditional Use Site Plan (CCGTL Properties): Motion to recommend approval to City Council with previously granted variances and waivers carried 7-0.
• Conditional Use for Short-Term Rental (Mae Stanley): Motion to approve carried 6-0 (Commissioner Redden recused). Commissioners cited the presence of similar uses in the area, consistency with the comprehensive plan, and benefit to downtown exposure.
• Preliminary Site Plan (Ashley Furniture): Motion to approve carried 7-0. Commissioners found the plan consistent with Chapter 230 zoning and Chapter 200 subdivision, pending the two outstanding variance requests before the Board of Adjustment.
• Adjournment: Motion carried unanimously.