Parson Thorne Mansion One Step Closer to Visitor Center

Parson Thorne Mansion moved one step closer to constructing a new visitor center when the Milford Board of Adjustments approved variances for the new barn-like structure on the mansion property. Parson Thorne Mansion is one of the oldest buildings in Milford and is managed by the Milford Historical Society.

“They are proposing to construct a 2,000 square-foot museum building with associated parking on their property,” City Planner Rob Pierce said. “In order to construct the site plan as proposed, they must obtain five variances from the zoning code.”

Pierce explained that the historical society needed variances for the rear yard setback from 25 to 20 feet and to reduce the driveway width from 14 to 8 feet. In addition, the society was requesting that they not be required to pave and strip the driveway or parking area, but keep it gravel. They also requested a reduction from seven to five parking spaces and the requirement to add a landscape screen. Many of the requests were due to the historic nature of the property.

Another purpose of the variances was for fire apparatus as adding landscape screening or adjusting the rear yard setback so that at met regulations would make it difficult for fire apparatus to get behind the building should there be an emergency. Pierce explained that the Delaware State Fire Marshall would review the property as well to be sure fire apparatus could get to an emergency behind the mansion, including neighboring buildings.

“I support this application and all the variances,” Julie Morris, who stated her address was on Cedar Beach Road, said during a public hearing on the matter. “I had questions about the fire truck, so I’m pleased to see them address that and I had concerns about the screening as well. But if no one at the complex is concerned about it and it helps the fire trucks, I agree with all the variances and look forward to seeing the project completed.”

No one spoke against the request and the Board of Adjustments approved all five variances unanimously.