[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6127102,"mediaKeyId","2664960-d6843bef8fbb15cb3ec1b71038d6063f","parentId",2664960,"title","Votes at a glance: Seaford council approves site plan, leases, equipment bids, grants assistance and hires deputy chief","audioSeconds",492,"startMs",610000,"endMs",1102000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664960-d6843bef8fbb15cb3ec1b71038d6063f&start=610&end=1102","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664960-d6843bef8fbb15cb3ec1b71038d6063f/thumbnail_610000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6127102/Seaford/Sussex-County/Delaware/Votes-at-a-glance-Seaford-council-approves-site-plan-leases-equipment-bids-grants-assistance-and-hires-deputy-chief","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127102-b11e1f429146e6bc5a40b57ca4fa53b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157640&Signature=kxnJrFdebEXCpKGXNC8isMaU07xlFewzvVSMeHUb8LqmSGZnP5yxSE1rln3fjt3~xO2oai~gmyfNk42JtWhNMG2KtNPDjMPoKdEWnDorXqWw2sYBknC6R~sOSG9JNnhESTgZyK5m1BGeYBhCa-1BkBGcuZjNi-y33QXYjQ7q9e9neu6USvGNOJHuCsldgsAPo-4e5NV4eddNr~vZ9gA2yQ4rxNYB53rn~Jp6~RmBp24zI7vBPjTt-6QaIMw072bbq3pufO5DQm1ULvWsI0YJJYcTuxKMAYhFugfNbaX55UlfIAwu6SLemw4-n~PA7NErKIXHpulnC0l6MU-xPAm2IQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Seaford, DE","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","Seaford Mayor and Council took a string of formal actions at their Jan. 28 meeting. Most passed unanimously; below are the motions, movers/seconders and outcomes as recorded in the meeting transcript.

Aldi preliminary site plan (public hearing and approval)
Motion: Approve preliminary site plan for a 20,275-square-foot Aldi food market on Sussex Highway (tax map and parcel 331-6-1; variances previously granted for signage and setbacks). Motion by Councilman Quillen; second by Councilman Bradley. Roll call: Vice Mayor Dan Henderson, Councilwoman Dr. Stephanie Grasset, Councilman Holland, Councilman Mike Bradley, Councilman Quillen — all voted yes. Outcome: approved unanimously.

400 High Street lease (city-owned building)
Motion: Approve updated three-year lease for the city-owned building at 400 High Street (lease to George Miles & Buhr/GMB Engineers) and authorize city manager to execute. Motion by Councilman Holland; second by Councilman Quillen. Outcome: approved unanimously.

Chapter 15 zoning amendments (procedural)
Motion: Set public hearing for proposed Chapter 15 amendments (definitions, accessory uses, area and bulk regulations) for Feb. 25, 2025. Motion by Councilman Quillen; second by Councilman Holland. Outcome: motion passed; hearing set.

Assistance for 500 Pond/Pine Street development (Jeffrey Stevenson)
Motion: Approve economic development committee recommendation to provide assistance covering labor and equipment reductions for sewer and electrical distribution improvements to service a development at 500 Pond Street (tax map 331-7-79); committee estimated assistance at $16,658.72. Motion by Councilman Holland; second by Councilman Bradley. Outcome: approved unanimously.

Transformer procurement (electric department)
Motion: Authorize electric department to publish bid specifications for three 3-phase pad-mount transformers and eighteen single-phase pad-mount transformers to secure equipment for FY26 projects (stock, Western Sussex Business Campus build, Dolby North project). Motion by Councilman Bradley; second by Councilwoman Dr. Grasset. Outcome: approved unanimously.

Employment agreement — Deputy Chief of Police
Motion: Approve employment agreement for Deputy Chief Tyler Justice (three-year contract, compensation set at 10% above highest lieutenant per city policy, standard benefits and pension participation). Motion by Vice Mayor Dan Henderson; second by Councilman Holland. Outcome: approved unanimously.

Sale of Hooper’s Landing lots to D.R. Horton
Motion: Approve sale of lots 1–5 of Hooper’s Landing to D.R. Horton with stipulations; motion included language requiring Horton to provide Horton Level 1–3 product on those lots. Motion by Councilman Cohen; second by Councilman Bradley. Outcome: approved unanimously. (Detailed coverage of debate and product assurances in separate article.)

Procedure and notes: Where the transcript records roll-call votes, the names of council members who verbally recorded their votes are listed. Several items were presented by city staff (city manager, building official, director of electric) and vendors or applicants were present for public hearing items. All recorded formal votes at this meeting passed unanimously.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Seaford Mayor & Council Meeting 2025 01 28","oneSentenceSummary","Seaford Mayor and Council on Jan. 28 approved multiple agenda items in a string of unanimous votes, including a preliminary site plan for an Aldi store, a three-year lease for a city-owned building, authorization to publish transformer bid specs, assistance for a private development’s infrastructure, and an employment agreement for a new deputy police chief.","taxTitle","Seaford, Sussex County, Delaware","taxId",68854,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6127105,"Seaford council sets public hearing to modernize R-3 zoning definitions and standards",298,1116000,1414000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664960-d6843bef8fbb15cb3ec1b71038d6063f&start=1116&end=1414","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664960-d6843bef8fbb15cb3ec1b71038d6063f/thumbnail_1116000.jpg","/articles/6127105/Seaford/Sussex-County/Delaware/Seaford-council-sets-public-hearing-to-modernize-R-3-zoning-definitions-and-standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127105-55e07de28a9d507a7fff39ee07ad8e1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157640&Signature=J5Jb0d53Ew4PnZdG2us3pqD2~eQmkuR77LKTtDN4CY1a3zXiWIr70tiqVRr9unJqrBAXz9ZTDr~Nv0jdmGr66j42hnogzfSw7AA-V4oJ44M~HsWTJPwzNH3aSJhsysIzMn13nBAAiQN7tzL81Z1Ef5Bq3BW1INs-3FviPs0pXny9GBiLK1Ee6nCi-Vau90QNtZNGTzzs8PjEIyQQXCAvePmzFNwlYPzwBP9j1G3VQ4C~eptJnaZPoPNAE8G2wOo3KJRNSgbmVWk4jbjwpiKPiPenIYDbI0j2IKbvBMixlAt8GLK~rI2z2L-X14iBLX9kguxRKvVZS7rWPJdjXhBBFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Seaford Mayor and Council on Jan. 28 voted to set a public hearing for Feb. 25 on proposed amendments to Chapter 15 of the municipal code that would modernize the R-3 zoning section, including new definitions and changes to area and bulk regulations.

The motion to set the public hearing was made by Councilman Quillen, seconded by Councilman Holland, and passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The proposed amendments create separate, updated definitions for “apartment,” “residential condominium,” and “residential condominium detached,” revise accessory-use requirements (including required separate storage for multi-family units), and change setbacks and area/bulk rules to reflect modern multifamily development standards. If adopted after the public hearing and second reading, the changes would be advertised by the building official and would take effect 30 days after that advertisement.

Building official Mike Bailey (presenting the item) said the draft language replaces older “garden apartment” terminology with “multifamily dwellings,” formalizes accessory storage requirements for apartments and multi-family buildings, and establishes minimum setback distances: 25 feet minimum for perimeter and interior streets and exterior property lines for townhouses and multifamily dwellings; side yards of 25 feet for townhouses and most multi-family dwellings other than apartments; rear yards of 25 feet. Bailey said the zoning department recommended the amendments at its Jan. 9 meeting.

Process and timeline: This is the ordinance’s first reading. Bailey and city staff explained that the zoning ordinance requires two readings and a public hearing; because of advertising timelines, the earliest properly noticed hearing would be Feb. 25, at which point council could proceed to a second reading the same night and adopt if it chose. Adopted changes become effective 30 days after staff advertisement.

What was asked: Council members asked procedural questions about the hearing and about how the new definitions would be administered. The building official and city manager said staff and the building official would handle public notices and follow-up steps.

Next steps: The council set the Feb. 25 public hearing; staff said they will advertise the hearing, accept public comments, and return the ordinance for a second reading and possible adoption at that meeting.","Council set a public hearing for Feb. 25 to consider proposed amendments to Chapter 15 (R-3) definitions, accessory uses, and area/bulk regulations; staff described new definitions for apartment, residential condominium, and detached condominium and changes to setbacks and accessory requirements.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6127110,"Seaford approves sale of five Hooper’s Landing lots to D.R. Horton with product standard",1137,2553000,3690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2664960-d6843bef8fbb15cb3ec1b71038d6063f&start=2553&end=3690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2664960-d6843bef8fbb15cb3ec1b71038d6063f/thumbnail_2553000.jpg","/articles/6127110/Seaford/Sussex-County/Delaware/Seaford-approves-sale-of-five-Hoopers-Landing-lots-to-DR-Horton-with-product-standard","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127110-ad4acc242f7fa9b2990400483023aa8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157640&Signature=AH9BoxgEApMgzrdkp2a4R8uZIz44zU5t3kAih4WRfS3F4hIGAPgvDGT3LjDLzZoRaafggnVS69PRpP~Q-4gNhiz1-7YcwhPzJPXDWISiHzBNhUaDMt27jXOMFr9stXZmcsrIPU2RtUIcnBQbxBP9ms8YA32-WjvVtOn~4gojdCqktgtE40ruxzr-5lwijpUNduxag1NFSmqMfuSi9t4hmuYJO9Kx9ka95nc-BopaWlVEkzO7vEsAo21e-gDgO32dHzPXV66EIl8eXscjd4zdV-458yx1s6nEve2Wi0xy6-VZAnH3dUK3ALSj7v8BrEKdyX5MWgEHs-FyrBDscRACBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Seaford Mayor and Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the sale of five lots in the Hooper’s Landing subdivision to national builder D.R. Horton, and added language requiring Horton to provide its Horton Level 1–3 product on those parcels.

The motion, made by Councilman Cohen and seconded by Councilman Bradley, approved Insight Land Company LLC’s transfer of lots 1–5 (tax map 53113.00-1.021, .031, .041, .051, .061) to D.R. Horton. The vote passed unanimously.

Council members and the developer spent more than 40 minutes on the item, focusing on what kinds of houses will be built and how the homes will perform energy-wise. The council’s final motion requires Horton to adhere to the stipulations in the previously negotiated agreement of sale and to provide Horton Level 1–3 homes on the five lots.

Why it matters: Hooper’s Landing sits adjacent to existing single-family neighborhoods and near Fred Douglas School and Williams Pond. Council members said they wanted to preserve the character and energy performance of nearby homes while ensuring the buyer delivers higher-end, non-cookie-cutter housing rather than lower-priced “express” models.

D.R. Horton representatives described the planned product. Jay Halman, land development manager for D.R. Horton in Delaware, said the units in Hooper’s Landing will be fully specified “traditional” single-family models — the company’s Horton series — generally in the roughly 2,000-square-foot range with three to five bedrooms and multiple elevation options. “We take very seriously what we’re putting into our homes,” Halman said.

Councilman Dan Henderson pressed for an explicit guarantee that the company would deliver a higher-end product rather than lower-priced express models. “We need an equivalent home and we need … it needs to be memorialized that you're gonna have a tradition style home or greater on those lots,” Henderson said. D.R. Horton agreed to a motion that named Horton Level 1–3 product as the required standard.

The council and D.R. Horton also reviewed minimum standards that the RFP required: one single-family home per lot, a minimum house size of 1,800 square feet, at least a one-car attached garage, and a requirement that the developer start construction on the first two homes within nine months of closing. Halman said homes will be presold rather than speculative, and reported preliminary market interest: several qualified leads and at least one under contract.

The sale completes the transfer process that began with the city’s RFP and the economic development committee’s recommendation. Insight Land and D.R. Horton presented drawings and elevations during the meeting; Andrew Campanelli, general counsel for Insight Land, attended for legal and contract questions.

What’s next: Council approved the sale and the contract language as presented. Building permits and final plan reviews will proceed through the city’s permitting process; the building official will review submitted plans for compliance with the required Horton Level 1–3 product before permits are issued.

Notes: The discussion included detailed back-and-forth about energy-performance labeling (Energy Star vs. performance-based measures). D.R. Horton said its plans exceed Energy Star ratings in construction and systems but may not carry the Energy Star label, and agreed to the council’s request to require the Horton Level product in the motion.","On Jan. 28 the Seaford Mayor and Council unanimously approved sale of lots 1–5 in Hooper’s Landing to D.R. Horton, requiring Horton to deliver its Horton Level 1–3 product on those lots after council debated energy-performance assurances.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Seaford council approves site plan, leases, equipment bids, grants assistance and hires deputy chief

Seaford council sets public hearing to modernize R-3 zoning definitions and standards

Seaford approves sale of five Hooper’s Landing lots to D.R. Horton with product standard