Seaford council advances zoning code changes for R‑3 high-density residential district

Seaford Mayor and Council on Jan. 14 voted unanimously to proceed with the first reading of amendments to Chapter 15 of the city code to update the R‑3 high-density residential district.

City planner (presenter Mike Bailey) told council the changes modernize definitions and replace older terms such as “garden apartment” with “multi‑family dwelling” and add new definitions for “residential condominium” and “residential condominium detached.” The amendments also revise uses by right, accessory uses and special-exception language and update area and bulk regulations, including building setbacks and separations.

Key changes described by Bailey include a clarified definition of “apartment” (multi‑family dwellings up to three stories designed for rental), an expanded definition of “dwelling, multi‑family” to explicitly include apartments, condominiums and townhouses, and a new special-exception category for detached residential condominiums to allow council-controlled review of that emerging product type. The draft updates also require a 25‑foot minimum building setback for apartments from perimeter and interior streets and introduces consistent language for side‑yard, rear‑yard and building‑separation standards across the R‑3 district.

Vice Mayor Dan Henderson asked whether site-amenity requirements would apply to the detached condominium product; Bailey said amenities would be part of the special-exception review. Councilman Quillen moved to approve the edits and proceed with first reading; Councilman Holland seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Because the council approved first reading, the amendments will return for subsequent readings per the city’s ordinance-adoption process and any public-notice requirements for zoning changes.