A flex office/warehouse that will allow for ten tenants was approved by Milford City Council. The project, MLTJ, LLC, will redevelop an existing industrial site by demolishing three existing buildings and constructing two 9,900 square foot buildings, one 6,000 square foot building, while also renovating an existing 8,200 square foot building.
The Planning Commission approved a waiver of parking curbing with a vote of four to zero and an approval of a temporary waiver that required them to install sidewalks with a vote of four to zero. A waiver request that would allow the developer not to install bicycle racks was denied by the Planning Commission by a vote of three to one.
“This property is located on Rehoboth Boulevard approximately 400 feet north of Brady Drive,” Alan Decktor, an engineer with Perroni & Associates, said. “The applicant proposes redevelopment of an existing industrial site for flex office warehouse space with up to 10 tenant spaces. The existing site itself has four buildings, and we’re proposing four buildings in its place, basically upgrading and cleaning up the site, The project is a redevelopment of already developed commercial industrial property that’s currently about 95% impervious for buildings, it’s just not in great shape. It’s an older property, and we’re looking to clean it up and make it much nicer and usable for the different proposed tenants.”
The temporary sidewalk waiver was due to DelDOT’s plan to add bicycle and pedestrian upgrades on Rehoboth Boulevard near the property. The bicycle rack waiver, according to Decktor, was that this was an office space and if the tenants had employees who needed bicycle racks, they could be added at a later time.
“It’s not per se about the room. We do have the room, but I mean, these are office warehouse spaces, so if randomly someone did bike here, they could easily store it inside the unit, or it would be left up to the actual businesses to provide that if needed,” Decktor said. “ Because you know, out of the 10 tenant spaces, they’re not all known at this time, it’s just something that if you put in and it’s never used, it’s kind of a waste, so it’s just one of those things that maybe it’s more left off to the businesses themselves to see if is a needed.”
At a public hearing on the request, James Grant spoke for the applicant.
“Earlier this evening, someone brought up the quality that Southern States is kept at,” Grant said. “I would say that any property that the Johnson’s own is kept at the same quality and cleanliness. Daily, you see someone picking up trash, street cleaners in the parking lot anytime there is something that even hits the building, they are immediately fixing it.”
Grant continued, stating that the Johnson’s had provided significant economic value to the city.
“They have spent millions and millions of dollars in revitalization of those properties in Milford that other people wouldn’t have touched and have put their heart and souls into those buildings,” Grant said. “This project, this property has sat for a long time, and to let people know where it is, it’s kind of across from the Perdue plant. This whole area has been waiting for somebody to take the lead. I drove by the car wash the other day and it was a disgrace how much trash was left in the car wash.”
Grant felt that code enforcement was trying to address the problem but felt that the investment by Tim and Matt Johnson could make significant difference.
“This may be what brings this area up to a nicer standard and it’s definitely needed,” Grant said. “Because there is nowhere to rent commercially.”
Marabello asked if the applicant would consider additional trees or shrubs in the front of the building. Councilman Jason James had concerns about the bike racks.
“I do agree with the presentation the gentleman gave on that, and they are not used for this type of property,” James said. “It just doesn’t make sense that we leave that up to the occupants for future buildings.”
Mayor Todd Culotta disagreed.
“I know it is part of the code and that it doesn’t always fit everywhere all the time and their argument that there will be 10 separate tenants in this mixed-use kind of place, if they want to put my track on it, it’s up to them,” Culotta said. “If they don’t because they have space inside for employees or whatever to store a bike, then I think that is adequate. So, with that, because it is a recommendation from the Planning Commission, to override it, we have to have a super majority.”
Council voted to approve the request to waive the curbing requirement in the parking lot as well as the temporary waiver not to install sidewalks. When it came to the waiver for bicycle racks, James made a motion to override the Planning Commission, and it was seconded by Councilwoman Katrina Wilson.
Councilwoman Nina Pletcher voted yes on allowing the waiver as did Councilwoman Madula Kalesis did as well.
“I vote to approve the waiver for the reasons that this is going to be a flex space, and it could be applied on the discretion of the people that will be occupying those spaces,” Councilwoman Nadia Zychal said.
Councilman Dan Marabello, Wilson and James also voted yes to override the denial of the waiver.
“I vote yes,” Councilman Danny Perez said. “The waiver does definitely make sense.”
The roll call vote to approve the entire project had Marabello voting yes as there were no adverse impacts on the area. Kalesis also voted yes as it was an excellent addition to the area.
“I welcome the investment in the city that will take an eyesore and make it an area that creates opportunity,” Zychal said. “I wish you luck with that.”
Pletcher voted yes in hopes that the project would be an enhancement and improve the area.
“I vote yes,” Perez said. “I want to add, I live right behind that property, so I am very familiar with it. I welcome the gentleman to improve it.”
James also voted yes for the project.
“I vote yes based on the fact that it is a wonderful addition for this property to be enhanced,” Wilson said. “It’s right across from my family, the Brady’s, that property. My uncle will be so happy to have this property. It has been an eyesore to him for a very long time.”
After the motion passed, Culotta commented.
“I’d like to thank Tim and Matt for the efforts they put in, not only will it beautify this property, but it will put 10 new businesses, but also for everything they’ve done for Milford,” Culotta said. “Between the golf course and all their multiple properties, they keep them in top-notch condition.”
