Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Kent County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with medium priority
Faith Life Church expansion near Hartly
A church on Enss Road wants a conditional use site plan approval to add about 2,000 square feet onto an existing detached building for worship, plus a pavilion and parking, on a 5.2-acre agricultural-residential parcel outside the Growth Zone Overlay. The public hearing was the community's chance to weigh in on traffic, septic, and land use in a rural area.
Housing Rehabilitation Contract Cost Growth
A home rehabilitation project under the county's CDBG program ran into unforeseen structural problems, requiring a $13,993 change order that pushes total costs 67% above the original contract. The money comes from federal grant funds.
2027 EMS vehicle procurement
The county was set to take action on purchasing its 2027 emergency medical services vehicles — the ambulances and support vehicles that serve Kent County residents.
Griffith Lake Estates Stormwater Maintenance District Extension
The county proposed extending its stormwater maintenance district to the 127-lot Fork Landing West neighborhood near Frederica after a majority of owners petitioned for it. Residents there would see a $25-per-parcel charge starting with the 2027 tax bill, and the county would take over maintenance of the stormwater ponds and infrastructure.
Recreation Storage Building
The county planned to award a $144,353 contract to build a 64'x40' storage building (plus a covered lean-to) for parks and recreation equipment, funded from the FY25 capital budget with a $6,353 overage covered by Parks Contingency.
Faith Life Church expansion in Hartly area
A church on Enss Road wants a conditional use site plan approval to add about 2,000 square feet onto an existing detached building for worship, plus a pavilion and parking, on a 5.2-acre agricultural-residential parcel outside the Growth Zone Overlay. The public hearing was the community's chance to weigh in on traffic, septic, and land use in a rural area.
FY26 CDBG Grant Applications
Kent County applies for federal Community Development Block Grant money each year to fund housing and community improvements. These resolutions authorize the applications, commit the local match, and affirm fair-housing obligations. It determines what grant-funded projects residents might see next year.
Library Tax District rates
The committee wants Levy Court to hold a workshop on how libraries can request adjustments to the Library Tax District rates. That could eventually change what Kent County residents pay in library taxes.
Stoltzfus Rezoning (CZ-26-03)
Ordinance LC26-15 would change the Comprehensive Plan and zoning map designations for the Stoltzfus property. The public hearing where residents can weigh in is set for November 17.
Sewer Extension Outside the Growth Zone (LC26-16)
This proposed ordinance change would let owners of certain individual or vacant lots petition to join a sanitary sewer district as part of a septic elimination project — even outside the Growth Zone. A public hearing is set for October 27.
Sewer connections outside the Growth Zone for previously skipped lots
Some property owners next to county sewer lines built during past septic-elimination projects were never offered a hookup — either they declined or their lot was vacant at the time. Ordinance LC26-16 would let them petition to connect, under strict conditions. It matters if you own one of those lots or live near sewer extensions outside the Growth Zone.
Royal Farms gas station and convenience store near Camden
A new Royal Farms convenience store and gas station is coming to the busy corner of S. Dupont Highway and Voshell Mill Road near Camden, replacing two older commercial buildings. The Dover-Kent MPO had flagged safety concerns along US 13, part of the High Injury Network.
Homeless Shelter Closure
Kent County’s biggest homeless shelter is staying closed this winter, so dozens of people could be left outside in freezing weather. That puts pressure on city and county officials to find emergency funding or a last-minute alternative—fast.
FY 28 Library Capital Projects
Members discussed capital projects for Fiscal Year 2028 — the building, renovation and equipment investments that could shape county library facilities in the coming years.
FY 27 Library Standards Distribution
The committee discussed how Fiscal Year 2027 library standards funding will be distributed, which affects the resources and services county libraries can offer residents.
Big Oak Pickleball Facility ORPT grant
The county wants to add pickleball courts, a comfort station, and shade at Big Oak Park, and plans to seek $355,000 from the state ORPT grant program to help pay for it. The county has already set aside its $355,000 match, so approval of the resolution keeps the project eligible for state dollars.
Pension fund reallocation
Commissioners were scheduled to take up a reallocation of the county pension fund — a matter with long-term implications for county finances and employee retirement benefits.
Route 13 widening force main relocation
A Phase 2 professional services amendment with Century Engineering was scheduled for the force main relocation tied to the Route 13 widening project — infrastructure work that affects a major county corridor.
Underground propane facility on Barratts Chapel Road
An underground propane field got a recommended approval with a waiver letting it sit just 39 feet from Barratts Chapel Road — well under the usual 100-foot buffer — though fencing is required.
Community solar on Shaws Corner Road
A proposed community solar farm failed to win a commission recommendation, splitting the panel 2-4. It now goes to Levy Court with no recommendation, leaving the final call uncertain.
Landscaping operation on N. Little Creek Road
Pro-Cut Tree Services' landscaping operation on North Little Creek Road returned after its prior approval expired before agency sign-offs. The plan is unchanged: a new 9,999-square-foot building, entrance road, and waivers from sidewalk, crosswalk, and screening rules.
Pre-Employment Drug Screening Policy Update
The county updated its personnel policy on pre-employment drug screening for new hires, affecting how job applicants are screened for county positions.
The Landings cash-in-lieu of active open space
As part of the consent agenda, the court acted on The Landings subdivision's request to pay cash in lieu of providing active open space, a routine but money-relevant land-use item.
EagleView aerial imagery contract renewal
The county's aerial imagery software underpins property assessments, planning, and emergency response. Renewing costs $72,162 a year for six years and keeps imagery current with a 2027 flyover.
County Personnel Policy Overhaul (Ordinance LC25-30)
Commissioner Angel wants the county to credit prior service time when employees leave and later return, arguing it would help retain workers. It's headed to a future workshop.
Ethics Code Overhaul
The county's plan to replace its entire ethics code chapter and remove a personnel hiring paragraph was pulled back for more work.
Front-yard fence height limits
Two separate matters on this docket — the Lapierre hearing and the Grabinski notice of decision — involve 6-foot fences in front yards where only 4 feet is allowed. The Board's choices shape how uniform neighborhood street frontages stay.
Commercial setback relief for motor vehicle business
A golf cart sales and service business near Cheswold wants to build a storage/service building closer to its property lines than General Business zoning allows. The decision affects how close commercial structures can sit to neighboring parcels along Dupont Highway.
Residential setback variances for accessory structures
Homeowners in Kent County keep asking for permission to build garages and sheds closer to property lines than the code allows. The Bell application tests how the Board balances practical site constraints like septic systems and wells against neighborhood setback standards.
HRS Properties road waivers near Woodside
HRS Properties got permission for a 1,300-foot cul-de-sac and a break from the 25% connected-frontage rule so a major subdivision can move forward on 54.6 acres off Mahan Corner Road.
Taylor rezoning near Farmington
The Taylors want an acre on Hammondtown Road rezoned from agricultural-residential to neighborhood business, likely for a farm stand/antiques-type operation. The commission split 3-3 on both denial and approval, so Levy Court will decide with no recommendation.
Home daycare access in Felton area
A family in Weatherstone Crossing wants to open a licensed home daycare serving up to eight children; local childcare centers are full with waiting lists, and several parents have already asked her to open.
Hammondtown Road rezoning to Neighborhood Business (CZ-26-02 / LC26-10)
The Taylors want about an acre of their land near Farmington rezoned from agricultural residential to neighborhood business, which could bring small commercial uses to a rural road. It also requires a comprehensive plan map change.
Home daycare at Weatherstone Crossing (C-26-04)
The McCoys want to run a daycare from their home on Elm Crest Lane near Frederica. Neighbors were notified and two objections were filed; the county requires conditional use approval since daycares inside the Growth Zone need sign-off.
Taylor farm-based business rezoning
A Farmington-area farming family wants one acre of their 125-acre farm rezoned to Neighborhood Business so their antique store and farm stand can operate legally — but BN zoning would allow any permitted business there, a point commissioners noted.
Growth-zone subdivision approvals in Kent County
Commissioners debated whether Kent County's growth zone is delivering true smart growth, citing overloaded schools, strained fire departments, and a lack of parks and recreation as development accelerates. Some worry the county is approving housing faster than infrastructure can keep up.
Fence placement on Pintail Point HOA property
The approved plan puts a five-foot split-rail vinyl fence five feet onto the neighboring HOA's property without its consent, and the plan makes the HOA responsible for maintaining it. Residents say they'll keep fighting it.
Delaware State Police Lease at 911 Public Safety Boulevard
The county finalized a long-in-the-works lease of county office space to Delaware State Police, wrapping up a project administrators had worked on for years.
Twin Maples Septic Elimination Project
Two neighborhoods could get public sewer — Barrett's Chapel Road Subdivision and Twin Maples Mobile Home Park near Kenton. Public hearings are set for February 10, 2026.
CZ-26-02 Rezone Request (Lewis)
A comprehensive plan map and zoning map amendment request from Taylor Joseph Lewis IV and Christina L., introduced for a July 21 public hearing.
Opposition to Senate Bill 23 and House Bill 450
The county was scheduled to consider resolutions opposing two state legislative bills, putting Kent County officially on record against SB 23 and HB 450.
Buffers and screening for adjacent property owners
Sunrise Solar wants to skip part of the required six-foot screening fence along the back of its community solar site on Woodleytown Road. The neighbor actually supports the waiver because the fence would sit near an agricultural airstrip and could endanger pilots. The board was scheduled to hear testimony and decide whether the hardship justifies the waiver.
School capacity under rapid growth
A former Lake Forest teacher warned classrooms are already overwhelmed and new tax revenue isn't keeping up with growth-driven enrollment.
Residential setback variances across Kent County
Six property owners asked the Board of Adjustment for permission to build closer to property lines than zoning allows — for a carport, patio, home addition, fence, and a place of worship. These decisions shape what neighbors can build and how neighborhoods look and feel.
Opioid abatement grant funding
Commissioners were scheduled to review strategies for distributing opioid settlement grant funds, which affect how treatment and remediation programs get supported in Kent County.
Delmarva substation modernization near Harrington
Delmarva Power can now replace the control building at its existing substation south of Harrington with a larger one, supporting electric reliability in the area. The substation predates zoning by decades, and the Regional Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval.
Pole building built too close to the road in Felton
Curtis Cross built a 24-by-24-foot pole building 57 feet from Ironmine Road — closer than the county's plan approval showed. A county inspector missed the error during the footer inspection, and staff recommended letting the building stay rather than forcing the owner to move it.
Manufactured home relocation variances in Frederica
Bigg Jim's Homes LLC asked the Board to allow a manufactured home at 80 E. Poplar St. to sit closer to the street than zoning allows so it can be moved off a neighbor's lot and fully onto its own. The corner lot is small, leaving little buildable room under standard setbacks.
Sewer service for Little Creek Wildlife Area
The state's Fish and Wildlife division gets county sewer service for its Little Creek property, with the state paying all permit and impact fees and required pump station upgrades.
County engineer succession and engineering staffing
The county engineer retired, and the assistant public works director moves into that seat permanently June 1. Levy Court approved recruiting an Engineering Project Manager II to rebuild the engineering team's bench.