Residents push back against Westgate Drive–Champion Court connection, cite safety and costs

Dozens of residents told the Delaware City Public Works Public Utilities Committee on Oct. 5 that they oppose a proposal to connect Westgate Drive to Champion Court.

"The majority of us are here with concerns about the extension of the Westgate Drive into Champion Court," said Mary Carolyn Jones of 119 Champions Court during the public comment period. Speakers repeatedly raised child-safety concerns, argued that the change would increase cut‑through traffic, and urged the city to prioritize other road repairs.

Several residents offered specific objections. Abby Buckerfield (17 Westgate Drive) cited a city data point—"over 50 miles of streets require repair at an estimated $22,500,000"—and said Westgate is not on that list; she also warned that the proposal would remove at least three mature trees and trigger tree‑replacement requirements under "chapter 11 68.06(c) of Delaware's codified ordinances." Joe Lake said he recorded city trucks completing three‑point turns and called the project an unnecessary use of limited funds: "Put up a no parking sign. It's been fine for 70 years."

Neighbors proposed lower‑cost alternatives, including formalizing a pedestrian path for the existing foot traffic through the back of the neighborhood, restricting on‑street parking to improve turning clearance, or increasing the cul‑de‑sac radius rather than opening a new connection. The committee closed public comments after multiple residents spoke; no committee vote on the connection occurred that night.