Seaford council unanimously approves two subdivisions, zoning changes and a PII policy; enters executive session

Seaford Mayor and Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve two residential subdivisions, adopt amendments to the city zoning code and approve a personally identifiable information privacy policy; the council then moved into an executive session to discuss personnel.

The council approved a subdivision of a city-owned parcel on the corner of Cedar Avenue and East Poplar Street into two lots to create a buildable single-family lot. The council also approved a five-lot subdivision of property owned by BCDE Investment Group LLC on North Porter Street to allow construction of five single-family dwellings.

The council adopted amendments to Chapter 15 of the Seaford Municipal Code that revise the R-3 zone language and add new definitions, including definitions for “residential condominium” and “residential condominium, detached.” Council members said the changes update and clarify existing definitions and move some accessory-use requirements into a central section of the code.

Council members also unanimously adopted a city “personally identifiable information” (PII) privacy policy. Staff said the policy limits collection to information needed for legitimate city business, requires safeguards such as encryption and access controls, and will help the city meet documentation requirements tied to federal grant applications. Council members asked staff to add biometric identifiers to the policy if the city begins collecting them in the future.

After the votes, Mayor and Council approved a motion to convene an executive session for discussion of personnel matters.

Votes at a glance - City of Seaford subdivision (Cedar Ave & East Poplar St; tax parcel 431-4.00-72.00): Motion to approve subdivision into two lots to allow one buildable single-family lot — Mover: Councilman Ali Quillen; Second: Councilman Mike Bradley; Recorded roll-call votes: Vice Mayor Dan Henderson (yes), Councilman Orlando Holland (yes), Councilman Mike Bradley (yes), Councilman Ali Quillen (yes). Outcome: approved unanimously.

- BCDE Investment Group LLC subdivision (North Porter St; tax parcels 531-13.06-47.00 and 47.02): Motion to approve subdivision of two parcels into five lots for five single-family dwellings — Mover: Councilman Ali Quillen; Second: Councilman Orlando Holland; Recorded roll-call votes: Vice Mayor Dan Henderson (yes), Councilman Hahn (recorded as a yes), Councilman Mike Bradley (yes), Councilman Ali Quillen (yes). Outcome: approved unanimously.

- Amendment to Chapter 15 of the Seaford Municipal Code (zoning definitions and related sections: 15-7, 15-23, 15-25 and area/bulk regulations): Motion to adopt amendments as presented — Mover: Councilman Ali Quillen (recorded in minutes as Council McGlennon making the motion); Second: Councilman Mike Bradley; Recorded roll-call votes: Vice Mayor Dan Henderson (yes), Councilman Orlando Holland (yes), Councilman Mike Bradley (yes), Councilman Ali Quillen (yes). Outcome: adopted unanimously; per practice the ordinance will be advertised for 30 days and then take effect after that posting period.

- Personally Identifiable Information (PII) privacy policy (new administrative policy): Motion to adopt the PII policy as presented — Mover: Councilman Orlando Holland; Second: Vice Mayor Dan Henderson; Voice vote: aye; Outcome: adopted unanimously.

- Motion to enter executive session for discussion of personnel: Mover: Councilman Orlando Holland; Second: Councilman Ali Quillen; Voice vote: aye; Outcome: motion carried, council entered executive session.

Why it matters The subdivisions will permit new single-family development within Seaford’s municipal limits and reflect the council’s direction to make these parcels buildable under existing residential bulk standards. The zoning-code updates change how multi-family and condominium-type developments are defined and will affect how future proposals are reviewed by staff, the board of adjustment and council. The PII policy formalizes data-handling practices the city says are needed to comply with federal grant documentation requirements.

Details and context - Cedar/Poplar subdivision: The new lot is described in staff materials as 8,782 square feet (60 feet wide by 50 feet deep) and was presented as compliant with the R-2 medium-density residential standards (4,500 sq. ft. minimum; 35 ft. minimum width). Planning & Zoning recommended approval at its Feb. 6 meeting. The council approved the subdivision on a unanimous roll-call vote.

- Porter Street subdivision (BCDE Investment Group LLC): The five lots presented range roughly from about 6,102 to 6,115 square feet each; the developer used R-2 bulk standards within an R-3 zone as allowed by the zoning code. Planning & Zoning recommended approval Feb. 6; the council approved the subdivision unanimously.

- Zoning code amendments: Changes include updated definitions for “apartment,” “multifamily dwelling,” and the addition of “residential condominium” and “residential condominium, detached.” The changes replace the term “garden-type apartment” with “multifamily dwelling,” move a required separate storage-area provision into the accessory-uses section, and add detached residential condominiums as a special-exception use requiring board-of-adjustment review.

- PII policy: City staff described safeguards such as restricted access, encryption, firewalls and periodic audits. Council members asked whether biometric data (fingerprints, retinal scans, DNA) would be covered; staff said the city does not currently collect biometric identifiers but agreed to amend the policy if the city adopts such collection in the future. The mayor noted the policy is needed to support pending grant submissions.

Next steps - The zoning ordinance amendments will be advertised for 30 days and become effective after the required posting period. - Staff will update the PII policy if the city begins collecting biometric data or incorporates other new categories of identifiers. - The council proceeded to executive session to discuss personnel and did not take further public action at the close of the regular meeting.

Ending Minutes and the staff packet contain detailed surveys, tax parcel numbers and the planning commission’s recommendation memos for each subdivision; the council’s adopted motions and roll-call votes were recorded in the meeting minutes.