Proposed Milton ordinance targets unfinished streets
Milton officials could change an ordinance to stiffen requirements for completing roads and sidewalks in the town's subdivisions.
The proposed regulation would require developers to pave streets after a community has reached a threshold of completion or five years after the project begins.
“We need to strike a balance in terms of when it's appropriate for the people who have bought homes and living there, but then also not having a situation where the road gets additional wear and tear based on the fact that heavy equipment is driving all over it,” said Town Solicitor Seth Thompson.
Milton has had issues with subdivision roads over the last several years. In Cannery Village, Phase 2 was approved in 2004, eight years ago The roads have not yet been completed, a common complaint among that community's residents. Town manager Win Abbott said 172 of 221 homes, or 77.8 percent, are complete in Cannery Village.
At its Dec. 3 meeting, town council discussed an 80 to 85 percent threshold that would trigger the paving requirement. Under the proposed ordinance, if a developer has not reached the threshold after five years, roads would be required to be paved no matter how much of the community is complete.
Currently, the code states only that developers are responsible for streets and sidewalks until final acceptance and official release of the completion guaranty, including repairs and other reasonable provisions for the convenience and safety of traffic; there is no timetable for completing streets and sidewalks. Thompson said he drafted the additions based on requirements in other municipalities around the country.
Mayor Cliff Newlands said some developers already abide by this way of thinking. Only 60 percent of Wagamon's West Shores is complete, he said, but the developer has chosen to pave the roads. The developer of Heritage Creek has also approached the town about paving its roads, he said.
Newlands said the legislation is targeted at developers who aren't as eager.
“We want to ensure that the streets get paved,” he said.
Nick Roth is the news editor. He has been with the Cape Gazette since 2012, previously covering town beats in Milton and Lewes. In addition to serving on the editorial board and handling page layout, Nick is responsible for the weekly Delaware History in Photographs feature and enjoys writing stories about the Cape Region’s history. Prior to the Cape Gazette, Nick worked for the Delmarva Media Group, including the Delaware Wave, Delaware Coast Press and Salisbury Daily Times. He also contributed to The News Journal. Originally from Boyertown, Pa., Nick attended Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He’s won several MDDC awards during his career for both writing and photography. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, going to the beach with his family and cheering for Philadelphia sports teams.
