Councilman Bob Weiner

Board of Adjustment approves permit for radio tower - Community News

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

By Adam Zewe
Community News
Posted Mar 05, 2010 @ 12:11 PM
New Castle, Del. —

The Board of Adjustment liked what they heard from Delmarva Broadcasting and gave the WSTW/WDEL owner the green light to build a 495-foot radio tower on its Brandywine Hundred property.

The board approved a special use permit allowing the broadcaster to build the tower in the center of four existing radio towers at the Shipley Road site.

The new tower will replace the main antenna for WSTW, which was destroyed by lightning this fall, and allow the broadcaster to provide digital radio for the Delaware Valley, said Mike Reath, the station’s general manager.

WSTW is using a temporary antenna that has reduced the station’s reach and forces the broadcaster

New Pilot School site to be sewered; rather than be on septic system - Community News

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

NCCo to allow new sewer hookups

By Jesse Chadderdon

Community News

Posted Feb 22, 2010 @ 11:18 AM
Wilmington, Del. —

The latest north vs. south debate over sewers was put to rest Tuesday night when officials unanimously approved a once controversial piece of legislation that allows properties adjacent to the county's existing sanitary sewer network to connect, as long as capacity is available.

Initial versions of the ordinance would have made the connections possible only north of the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, sparking outrage among the county's two southern councilman that their districts would not receive the same environmental benefits as their northern counterparts.

Land Use officials, however, feared extending the conne

Columbia Place rezoning approved despite objections - Community News

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

By Jesse Chadderdon
Community News
Posted Feb 22, 2010 @ 11:04 AM

Talleyville, Del. —

Despite two hours of testimony from nearly two-dozen residents and the efforts of one council member to delay the vote Tuesday night, New Castle County Council approved the rezoning of the Pilot School site in Talleyville to make way for a 55-plus community there.

The special-needs school plans to move into a new facility on Woodlawn Road, but needs to sell its current home to build there.

Proposed for the 15-acre site is the 150-unit, age-restricted Columbia Place. Nestled against the western Brandywine Hundred communities of Tavistock and Eden Ridge III, the plans have riled residents who say the density is out of character with the single-family nature of the

Pilot School site is rezoned - www.Delaforum.com

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

County Council approved the controversial rezoning of the Pilot School property on Garden of Eden Road after refusing to allow the sponsor of the ordinance to do so to table the measure.

Approval came on a nine-to-four vote after lengthy discussion and public testimony -- which mostly repeated previous arguments before Council's land use committee and the county Planning Board -- on Feb. 16. The result became a foregone conclusion when Council voted seven-to-six against Robert Weiner's motion to table. In seeking to postpone action for a week, Weiner asked for "the same consideration that is granted to other members of Council." Normally, Council routinely approves tabling resolutions by unanimous voice votes. Seven other rezoning ordinances were tabled without d

NCCo Councilman Weiner tries to delay Pilot School rezoning vote; strong objection by developer - News Journal

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Delaware government: NCCo councilman tries to delay rezoning vote
Pilot School looks to sell land off U.S. 202

BY ADAM TAYLOR • THE NEWS JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 14, 2010

A New Castle County councilman will try to delay a vote to rezone the site of a Talleyville school because the proposed residential use for the site might not be legal.

The Pilot School off U.S. 202 is looking to move to a larger Brandywine Hundred location, near Kohl's department store about a mile to the north. To do so, it needs to sell its current 15-acre site.

The would-be buyer, developer Jerome Heisler of the Reybold Group, wants to build a 149-unit age-restricted community that would be called Columbia Place at Garden of Eden Road. The development would be a mix of single f

Stoltz Management under fire for tree-trimming mistake - Community News

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

By Adam Zewe
Community News www.communitypub.com
Posted Jan 26, 2010 @ 09:42 AM
Last update Jan 26, 2010 @ 12:17 PM
Greenville, Del. —

The issue:

Stoltz Management damaged five trees in the DelDOT Right of Way in mid-December by “topping” them, a process in which large branches or trunks are removed from the top of a tree’s canopy, according to a letter from DelDOT obtained by the Community News.

The trees, in front of Greenville Center, cost $2,500 and were installed by the Kennett Pike Association as a beautification project, said John R. Danzeisen, KPA president. The KPA was paying for the trees’ maintenance, he said.

All five trees have

Process puts us on path to 'Stoltzville' - Community News - Letter to the Editor from Gina Pike

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Community News
Posted Jan 25, 2010 @ 08:33 AM
Wilmington, Del. —

I attended the New Castle County Planning Board Hearing on Tuesday night, 1/5/10, regarding the Stoltz organization’s proposed development project at Greenville Center. I was extremely hopeful that the Stoltz people would consider and recognize the many concerns that our community has been voicing for months regarding their plan for Greenville Center. I was, in fact, energized by the numerous thoughtful, rational and articulate presentations that were made by citizens and agencies in opposition of the Stoltz project. It is clear that the residents of Greenville are not against development; however, they are against development that is neither reasonable nor responsible – they are against

New Castle County to try once more to launch Resident Curatorship program; Councilman Weiner suggested Resident Curatorship concept in 2002 - Delaforum

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

“Curator program will be tried again”

www.Delaforum.com Jan 20, 2010

County government will again attempt to resuscitate its resident curator program, but the Department of Special Services was warned that, if it swings and misses for a third strike, it will be called out.

Mike Svaby, the department's acting general manager, told a County Council committee on Jan. 19 that it will use "more aggressive marketing" to interest folks in agreeing to restore vacant county-owned houses -- mostly those with historic pedigrees -- and live in them rent- and tax-free. Robert Merrill, of the department, identified five that will be included in the initial offering: Ivyside in Bechtel Park off Naamans Road; the farmh

Opponents line up against Stoltz development plans; Councilman Weiner recommends litigation. - Community News

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Opponents line up against Stoltz development plans
Murmurs of litigation abound

By Jesse Chadderdon, Community News
Posted Jan 07, 2010 @ 03:07 PM www.communitypub.com
Greenville, Del. —

The pitched battle between a Bala Cynwyd, Pa., developer and residents of Greenville and Brandywine Hundred raged on in its latest installment.

Two weeks ago Stoltz Real Estate Partners formally filed a massive 2.8-million-square-foot town center-style redevelopment plan at Barley Mill Plaza, which has sparked talk among opponents of legal action.

Then Tuesday, a plan to add a 12-story residential tower at Kennett Pike's Greenville Center was pitched to the New Castle County Planning Board, and more than 1

Columbia Place at Garden of Eden Road/Pilot School site development's foes find an opening/ Planning board erred in vote that OK'd project - News Journal

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Delaware towns: Talleyville development's foes find an opening
Planning board erred in vote that OK'd project
BY ANGIE BASIOUNY • THE NEWS JOURNAL • JANUARY 1, 2010

Residents determined not to see a high-density development built near their Talleyville neighborhoods aren't going down without a fight.

Poring over land-use laws like a team of eagle-eye attorneys, the residents discovered the New Castle County Planning Board did not follow its own bylaws when members voted in November to recommend the project go forward.

The bylaws call for a majority vote of five of the nine members. But the board voted 4-3 to affirm the 15-acre property belonging to the Pilot School could be rezoned to accommodate the 149 dwell

Stoltz Barley Mill Plaza plan filing riles residents; Despite objections, developer forges ahead & project is unchanged - News Journal

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Delaware business: Barley Mill Plaza riles residents
Despite objections, developer forges ahead and project is unchanged

By ANGIE BASIOUNY • The News Journal • December 30, 2009

A Pennsylvania-based developer is moving ahead with plans to rebuild the former DuPont Co. Barley Mill Plaza complex despite residents' objections that the project is too large and out of scale with the area. Members of Citizens for Responsible Growth in New Castle County, a coalition of residents and civic groups, said they felt misled by Stoltz Real Estate Partners after working with the company for about a year to reach a compromise. The plan calls for razing the offices, 1 million square feet of space, currently on the site at Del. 141 a

Barley Mill development plan filed - Delaforum

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

“Barley Mill development plan filed”
Article posted December 29, 2009 in Delaforum [www.Delaforum.com]
MEMOS AT RANDOM

County Councilman Robert Weiner accused Stoltz Reality of reneging on a commitment to work with community interests and "scale down" the scope of its plan to replace the former Du Pont Co. Barley Mill Plaza office complex with a mixed commercial and residential development. Weiner said that the Bala Cynwyd, Pa.-based firm submitted an unrevised major subdivision plan on Dec. 18, the day before its previously approved exploratory plan was to have expired. The county Department of Land Use did not announce the filing but, according to a posting on its website, the plan calls for removal of just over 1 million square feet of office sp

Stoltz files Barley Mill Plaza Major Plan for 2.8 million square feet of mixed use development

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

By Councilman Bob Weiner

Taking advantage of a vaguely drafted County redevelopment ordinance, the Stoltz organization, on December 18, 2009, filed a plan for 2.8 million-square-foot development at Barley Mill Plaza featuring an auto-dominated retail, residential and office buildings. The filing on December 18, 2009 was one day before the legal deadl

Stoltz highrise tower @ Greenville Center scheduled for Tuesday January 5, 2010 Planning Board Hearing [Major Land Development Plan Review of Greenville Center]

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The New Castle County Land Use Department and TAC Planning Board joint scheduled public hearing review of the Major Land Development Plan for Greenville Center is scheduled for Tuesday January 5, 2010 at 7 PM. This plan, Application 2008 -0272-S, is for the east side of Kennett Pike (Route 52) north side of Buck Road. The Stoltz organization is seeking approval to add a 78,189 square feet

Neighbors air concerns over Devon/Devonshire community park - Community News

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

By Jesse Chadderdon
Community News
Posted Dec 21, 2009 @ 09:20 AM www.communitypub.com

Brandywine Hundred, Del. —

At first glance, the park that bisects the Brandywine Hundred communities of Devon and Devonshire is little more than a small stand of trees split by a meandering creek and walking path.

For neighbors however, it's become something of a headache. Flooding, signage, littering and loitering were just some of the topics residents discussed with county officials at a meeting at the park Monday afternoon.

It wasn't an angry bunch, just a group of newly engaged citizens grateful for a chance to get face time with park workers and police officers who pledged to help them make the park into

Brandywine Hundred homeowners will be required to disconnect illegal sewer links; inspectors, provided by outside contractor, would inspect every house

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Homeowners will be required to disconnect illegal sewer links
www.delaforum.com

All 24,000 houses in Brandywine Hundred would be inspected and homeowners would be required to eliminate illegal connections to the sanitary sewer network under a tentative plan presented to a County Council committee.

The plan calls for county government to share the cost of the disconnects, which in most cases could range up to $4,000, with homeowners. Those who fail to make them or refuse to admit inspectors to monitor what is done would be fined. Continued existence of offending connections could ultimately block sale of such properties.

Illegal connections include sump pumps, punctured floor drains, so-called French drains and roof drains.<

Backyard chicken ordinance fails. Councilman Weiner proposes compromise to protect civic association deed restricted communities - News Journal

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Delaware law: Backyard chicken fight not a scratch
Hockessin woman vows to fight on despite County Council vote
BY ANGIE BASIOUNY • THE NEWS JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 26, 2009

Kathleen Hildebrand, the Hockessin woman who tried to get New Castle County to change its laws to allow small flocks of backyard chickens, is ready to ruffle more feathers.

County Council ended months of back and forth on the issue with a 10-3 vote Tuesday against an ordinance that would have permitted up to six chickens on a half-acre to one acre of residential land. The law currently outlaws farm animals on less than an acre.

Hildebrand, who keeps four hens in a tidy coop in the corner of her backyard, said she's not giving up.

She admonished council for failing to be pro

Lou Hinkle: Behind every councilman, there's a good aide - Community News

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Community News, Jessie Chadderdon

They do most of their work behind the scenes, but they're vital to making New Castle County's legislative branch tick. Council members are part-time officials, so no matter how hard they may try, it's impossible for them to personally handle the thousands of constituent inquiries their offices receive every year. That's where legislative aides, like Lou Hinkle, come in. For 11 years, he's loyally manned Councilman Robert Weiner's offices, taking phone calls, answering e-mails, even attending meetings in his stead. This week, Hinkle reflects on his job in public service with the Community News.

Q What is your favorite part about being a legislative aide?
A Helping people. I really enjoy being able to help people w

Cumbersome Foulk and Wilson Road intersection to get facelift - Community News

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

By Jesse Chadderdon
Community News

Brandywine Hundred, Del. —

Anyone who's ever darted through oncoming traffic to grab a cup of coffee at the Wawa or fill up at the Exxon there knows first hand just how tricky the intersection at Foulk and Wilson roads can be.

With two major Brandywine Hundred arteries criss-crossing at a sharp diagonal, popular business straddling the intersection and heavy residential traffic as well, it's a busy – and sometimes dangerous – place.

The Delaware Department of Transportation took notice of some of the problems there back in 2003, adding the intersection to its list of Highway Safety Improvement Projects. Six years later, it's finally in the queue for a makeover.

"There are a lot of c

Councilman Weiner has been pushing for a County resident curatorship program since 2002; Revamped Curatorship Program to be introduced soon - Community News

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

By Jesse Chadderdon
Community News

Brandywine Hundred, Del. —

On Nov. 11, 2004, two long-vacant Brandywine Hundred farmhouses were abuzz with activity as the curious explored them with an eye toward calling them home.

The county was soliciting potential curators, those interested in living in one of the historic locales in exchange for restoring them.

At the end of the day, however, the doors and windows were once again shuttered. They've stayed that way ever since.

Despite more than 100 applications back in 2004, New Castle County's Resident Curatorship Program never got off the ground.

"We had it ready to go, but after a final review it had some deficiencies," said Councilman Robert Weiner (R-Chatham), who lobbied hard