Council schedules March 23 public hearings on e-bike rules and two zoning map amendments

The Delaware City Council on March 9 scheduled public hearings for March 23 on an ordinance to update local code for electric bicycles and on two zoning amendments.

The proposed ordinance (Ordinance 26-10) would revise multiple code sections on the use and operation of bicycles, motorized bicycles and e-bikes to align with state categories (type 1, 2 and 3). Police Chief Adam Moore told council the goal is compliance with state law and to accompany any change with a "strong, public education campaign." He cautioned officers cannot reliably distinguish e-bike types from a cruiser windshield and that the ordinance would prohibit use of the electric motor on sidewalks or paths.

Separately, council set hearings for two zoning map amendments: Ordinance 26-11, a Corridor Company request to rezone about 200.59 acres from agricultural (A-1) to MX-PUD residential plan unit development; and Ordinance 26-12, a request from Winkel Civil Engineering and Surveying LLC to rezone approximately 3.039 acres from PMU (plan mixed use) to CPUD (commercial plan unit development) on Liberty Road and Bell Avenue. Staff indicated more information will be provided at the hearings.