Council approves multiple development plans, property exchange and code changes; overturns HPC denial for downtown signage

Delaware City Council on April 20 approved a series of development plans and ordinances covering subdivision sections, a new Kroger Marketplace and a property exchange with the school district, and overturned a Historic Preservation Commission denial for second‑floor window decals in the downtown historic overlay.

Why it matters: The votes clear several large residential sections for construction in growing parts of the city, authorize a major supermarket and fuel center site plan at Glen Road and Sunbury Road, and allow the city and Delaware City Schools to proceed with a real‑estate exchange the city attorney said appraisals showed to be of equal value. Council’s decision to overturn the HPC’s denial also clarifies how downtown signage requests for upper floors will be handled going forward.

Most consequential votes and key details

- Terra Alta, Section 12 (Resolution 25‑21): Council approved the development plan for about 32.6 acres with 57 single‑family lots, sidewalks on both sides of streets, street trees and a clubhouse with pool house and parking. Motion: Mr. Shaffer; second: Mr. Bridal. Roll call: Haynes Yes; Hoffman Yes; Rider (Reiter) Yes; Fraser Yes; Vice Mayor Shaffer Yes; Mayor Bridal Yes. Outcome: approved.

- 4 Seasons at Addison Farms, Section 3 (Resolution 25‑22): Council approved 49 single‑family lots on about 12.41 acres in a 55+ deed‑restricted community; staff recommended approval with conditions. Motion: Mr. Schaffer; second: Ms. Fraser. Roll call: Haynes Yes; Hoffman Yes; Reiter Yes; Fraser Yes; Vice Mayor Shaffer Yes; Mayor Riggle Yes. Outcome: approved.

- Kroger Marketplace and Fuel Center (Resolution 25‑23): Council approved a 123,000‑square‑foot Kroger Marketplace with a 10‑pump fuel center, 501 parking spaces and a traffic‑study condition requiring engineering‑recommended access changes. Planning staff noted building materials will be mostly brick and limestone and that the applicant agreed to conditions on outdoor displays and additional screening adjacent to nearby residences. Motion: Mr. Schaefer; second: Mr. Bridal. Roll call: Haynes Yes; Hoffman Yes; Reiter Yes; Fraser Yes; Vice Mayor Schaffer Yes; Mayor Bridal Yes. Outcome: approved.

- Northwood Subarea B, Sections 1, 4 and 5 (Resolution 25‑15, amended): Council approved development of 106 single‑family lots across three sections (53 lots at 42 ft width, 32 lots at 52 ft, and 21 lots at 52 ft) with conditions requiring Bixby Parkway public acceptance before building permits, limits on construction traffic into Kensington, and temporary emergency access language. Motion to approve as amended: Mr. Schaefer; second: Ms. Fraser. Roll call: Haynes Yes; Hoffman Yes; Reiter Yes; Fraser Yes; Vice Mayor Schaffer Yes; Mayor Riggle Yes. Outcome: approved as amended.

- Certificate of Appropriateness appeal — Delaware‑Morrow Mental Health and Recovery Services (Ordinance 25‑26): Council overturned the Historic Preservation Commission’s denial of window decal signage for the second floor at 40 North Sandusky Street, finding the council could weigh the HPC criteria and grant an exception. Council suspended rules and voted to adopt the ordinance overturning the HPC decision. Motion to overturn: Mr. Schaefer; second: Ms. Fraser. Roll call: Haynes Yes; Hoffman Yes; Reiter No; Fraser Yes; Vice Mayor Schaefer Yes; Mayor Bridal Yes. Outcome: council overturned HPC denial.

- City–School property exchange (Ordinance 25‑28): Council approved an ordinance declaring the exchange of parcels between the city and Delaware City Schools to be mutually beneficial and authorized city officials to execute closing documents. The presenter said appraisals showed the parcels to be of equal value; city staff noted Boardman Park currently leases a portion of the school parcel for $1 per year and commenters urged revisiting lease terms. Motion: (suspend rules) carried; motion to adopt ordinance: carried. Roll call on final adoption: Haynes Abstain (employee of Delaware City Schools); Hoffman Yes; Reiter Yes; Fraser Yes; Vice Mayor Schaffer Yes; Mayor Bridal Yes. Outcome: approved (one abstention recorded).

- Annexation (Resolution 25‑30, Terry annexation): Council approved a resolution identifying city services that would be provided if the approximately 43.6‑acre parcel that is surrounded by city limits is annexed. Motion: Mr. Haynes; second: Ms. Fraser. Roll call: unanimous among present members. Outcome: approved.

Other adopted housekeeping and personnel items

- Ordinance 25‑29 naming acting clerks (emergency) — adopted. - Ordinance 25‑30 amending management/professional pay plan (including adding legal positions and clarifying longevity credit) — council adopted on suspension of rules.

What council discussed but left for staff or conditions

- Kroger parking and pedestrian access: Council members and the applicant discussed the store’s empirical parking needs and the submitted traffic impact study; engineering review may require adjustments to access points. Staff added a condition that the final access be adjusted per engineering and the traffic study.

- Northwood construction traffic and emergency access: Council added conditions requiring construction traffic to use Bixby Parkway and specifying temporary emergency access controls for Ashburn Drive, and instructed staff to require signage noting emergency‑access only at specified stub streets during construction.

Meeting context and next steps

Council heard public comment — including objections that the property exchange would transfer a larger acreage to the school district and concerns about nonprofit leases at Boardman Park — but moved forward with the ordinance after staff said appraisals found equal values. Developers and applicants present agreed to the conditions included in council motions; multiple approvals were adopted with explicit conditions requiring future engineering or platting steps (e.g., traffic study recommendations, public‑improvements acceptance) before building permits are released.

Votes at a glance: the resolutions and ordinances listed above passed by roll call votes recorded in the transcript; where recorded, at least one abstention was entered (Haynes on the property exchange) and one council member voted no on the decal appeal overturn (Reiter).

Officials and staff named in proceedings: Sandra Perra/Perreault (planning staff), Jeff Guggenmiller and Jeff/Jeffrey Guggenmiller (applicant representative, Terra Alta), Steve Fox (V3 Companies, Kroger civil engineer), Natalie Mao (Kroger representative), Max Block (MI Homes), Michael Shade (agent for annexation), Jonathan (city engineer), Bill Brake (city manager).