Recently, a resident of Winward on the River shared a letter they received from the City of Milford regarding a public hearing before the Board of Adjustments related to a proposed Dollar General in the area. The post received such outcry from local residents, it prompted Representative Bryan Shupe to weigh in on the project.
“On August 14, the City of Milford Board of Adjustments will hear a request from Dollar General to rezone a property on Rehoboth Boulevard in front of the Windward Development, from low-density residential to C-1 commercial,” Shupe’s post read. “Their goal is to build a dollar store, right in the heart of a corridor already seeing incredible local investment.”
Shupe later corrected his post to read that the property was zoned commercial in 2021 and that the only thing Dollar General was requesting was a reduction in parking spaces from 54 to 48.
“Let’s take a look at what’s already happening on this road,” Shupe’s post continued. “The Johnson family, partnering with Big Oyster, has revitalized the former Shawnee Country Club, transforming the land and clubhouse into a vibrant restaurant and brewery. Bayhealth has reimagined healthcare in our town with the Sussex Campus, home to Bayhealth Hospital, Nemours Children and Senior Care and the PAM Rehabilitation Center. The City of Milford is discussing plans for a new public park along Rehoboth Boulevard.”
According to Shupe, these were “thoughtful, community-rooted projects that bring long-term value to our town – jobs, recreation, quality healthcare and pride.” Most of the comments on Shupe’s post indicated the majority of residents throughout Milford were not interested in a Dollar General at the location.
“No more dollar store needed. We have enough!” Sabrina Ballard said. “If you’re already thinking about adding a park, why not a splash pad or pool to go with the park?”
Trish Marney felt there were other vacant storefronts in the town where a Dollar General could go while Christina Davis suggested moving the current Dollar General on Dupont Highway to the recently closed Rite Aid building.
“Although it seems like code recognized a specific need to require 54 spaces and a variance of six spaces seems small, jut 11.1 percent, it would set a precedent,” Fred Cauble said. “And just as six fewer spaces is small, so is the six more that the code requires, without shrinking the handicap spaces. If they want to build, meet code.”
Some questioned whether the residents in the area were informed of the change in zone from commercial to residential. A public hearing was held in July 2021 when Walter and Sharon Feindt requested the parcel of land be annexed and rezoned from AR1 to C1. There was no public comment during the meeting. The land was under contract for purchase by the developers who were constructing Windward on the River as well as the proposed Deep Branch Plaza, a retail establishment that Dollar General will likely be part of.
“The annexation committee approved the annexation but were opposed to changing the zoning to C1 by a vote of two to one,” Rob Pierce stated during the council meeting regarding the annexation and zoning change. “The Planning Commission voted to approve the annexation as well as the zoning change with a vote of four to zero.”
Cliff Mumford, an engineer with Davis, Bowen and Friedel, told council that the Feindt land would allow ingress and egress adjacent to Deep Branch Plaza. He pointed out that there were already commercial locations in the area, including Liquor Stop, Mispillion Realty as well as a bait and tackle shop. At the time, then-councilman Mike Boyle asked if there was a plan for the retail area with concerns a convenience store could be placed there. He was told there was not a current concept plan. Mumford also stated this was included as part of the 2018 Comprehensive Plan. Council voted four to three to approve the annexation and zoning.
“I think this is out of character with the residential nature of the community,” Councilman Dan Marabello said at the time. “It is a one lane road, and I don’t think it can sustain the traffic.” Boyle agreed as he wanted additional information about what was planned for the commercial space. Then-councilman Brian Baer also voted no as he was concerned about other property owners in the area.
Then-councilman Andy Fulton voted yes, stating that residents in that area of town deserved the same conveniences other areas of the city enjoyed. Current Mayor Todd Culotta, who was a Ward 2 councilman at the time, agreed with Fulton.
‘I have always though Rehoboth Boulevard was a commercial access to the city,” Culotta said. “It has some residential built close to it, however, I think we need to promote the commercial use as well.”
Councilman Jason James also felt Rehoboth Boulevard would be a good area for commercial growth and that the annexation would join a property with similar zoning.
“Our strategic plan means something,” Councilwoman Katrina Wilson said. “When we approve certain areas, we always need to think about the plan and that area is definitely commercial. I agree with Councilman Fulton. We need to evenly disperse our commercial and residential sections and make it, so it is not one-sided. With all the growth in that area, they are going to need, and they are going to appreciate those stores.”
The Board of Adjustments will only decide whether to reduce the number of parking spaces for the proposed store. Because the land is zoned commercial, they cannot deny simply based on public outcry. There is a public hearing on August 14 at 10 AM in City Council Chambers at Milford City Hall.
