Commission recommends conditional approval for Riverwalk Hills final major subdivision; donation to city included

The Planning Commission voted to recommend that city council approve the final major subdivision for Riverwalk Hills, a 27‑townhouse development proposed by Milford Housing Development, provided the applicant obtains remaining agency approvals, chiefly final sign‑off from the Sussex Conservation District.

City staff described the 3.8‑acre site as R‑3 Garden Apartment and Townhouse District property north of Miss Papillion Street and west of Marshall Street and noted the project previously received preliminary major subdivision approval on Nov. 13, 2023. The final plan shows 27 townhouse lots, a stormwater parcel and about 0.89 acres of open space the applicant intends to donate to the city to satisfy the zoning code’s cash‑in‑lieu or open‑space requirement (the code requires a minimum of a half‑acre of recreational open space).

Engineer Roger Gross (Mearsone Consultants) and Dave Moore, president and CEO of Milford Housing Development, addressed the commission. Gross said construction plans have been reviewed by the city engineer and that the applicant had obtained conditional agency approvals including a FEMA letter of map revision based on fill, Delaware Health and Social Services approval for the water system and State Fire Marshal approval; he noted Sussex Conservation District approval remained pending. Moore described the project as affordable, owner‑occupied townhomes targeted to households at or below 80% of area median income and said the units will be energy‑efficient and "solar ready." He said homes will include single‑car garages and two driveway spaces.

Commissioners discussed the incomplete conservation district sign‑off and whether to table the item; the planning director and applicant requested the commission recommend approval to council with a condition requiring the outstanding conservation district approval to be submitted to staff before council action. Two commissioners recused themselves from the discussion and left the room because of disclosed professional relationships with the project team.

A motion to recommend approval to city council, conditioned on receipt of Sussex Conservation District approval, carried 4–1; Commissioner Sharp voted no, and Commissioners Redden, Salz, Wright and Hammond voted yes. The commission’s motion also noted remaining requirements for an as‑built to document fill within the floodplain and other standard pre‑permit submissions.

If council follows the commission’s recommendation, the city would receive 0.89 acres adjacent to the Riverwalk, and the agreement lists additional improvements the city would assist with along the south side of Miss Papillion Street, subject to council approval and final agency clearances.