Hello CPD friends and neighbors:
In case there is anyone who thinks that Harvey Hanna and Associates and Dewey Beach Enterprises (HHA/DBE) have Dewey’s best interests at heart, I am forwarding this article from my local paper. (see following) Although I have owned property in Dewey Beach for over 36 years, my primary residence is in Hockessin, Delaware. Last week the following article appeared in our local town newsletter. As we all suspected, HHA is a repeat offender…and unless something is done to stop this pillage of our small towns it will continue to spread. HHA/DBE are pushing harder than ever to get what they want. Although the town has repeatedly told them “NO” to over 35 feet, they responded by submitting plans for a 68 foot structure on April fourth and are apparently ready to fight the town to get what THEY want.
It is time we stood up and fought for our interests before it’s too late and our town turns into a mini-ocean city. We have limited resources and budget to fight their stable of attorneys and HHA/DBE’s deep pockets, so your support is vital to prevent HHA/DBE from steam rolling through our town. These developers and builders are use to having the small town people just roll over and let them do what they want.
A Dewey Beach Property Owner
Presentation to DRAC went around civic groups
(Design Review Advisory Committee)
Posted Thursday, May 1, 2008
To the Editor:
We read with interest and surprise the article in the Hockessin Community News concerning last month’s DRAC meeting. When was the original concept of DRAC changed or modified? We thought the purpose of DRAC was to review the development proposed within the Hockessin Village and to make recommendations and/or suggestions for keeping with the village concept plan. Since neither parcel in question is in the Hockessin Village plan, an OK by DRAC is not needed.
It was understood that the only item on the agenda was signage for Women’s Workout Express at Hockessin Crossing. Had anyone known about the attendance of Harvey Hanna and Associates at the DRAC meeting, representatives from the Valley Road Focus Group would also have been present. This so-called “courtesy call” by a large number of Harvey Hanna personnel was anything but. The group came well-prepared with packets of information to hand out, color drawings, easels, etc., everything needed for a large-scale presentation, not a spur of the moment drop-in visit to discuss landscaping plans. It would seem that this was an underhanded, “back door” attempt to circumvent GHADA and the Valley Road Focus Group.
What was even more disturbing was the change in plans from a one-story day care center to a possible three-story building, per pictures shown at the DRAC meeting. The one-story day care center had received the approval of both GHADA and the Valley Road Focus Group. However, we have now learned that the county in November of 2007 gave approval for a two-story day care center. The two-story plan, also, had a number of major changes from the original plan for the one-story day care center we had been shown and subsequently approved. It should further be mentioned that neither GHADA nor the Valley Road Focus Group ever saw any information on the two-story day care center.
The drawing presented to DRAC is similar in design to Harvey Hanna’s very first plans for the property, which entailed rezoning to commercial and the building of a strip shop with six to seven stores and apartments above the stores. The Valley Road Focus Group soundly rejected that plan and Harvey Hanna decided not to move forth in that direction. After many discussions with all interested parties an agreement was reached for the one-story day care center. All involved seem satisfied.
So where has the one-story day care center gone? Can changes just be made by the developer without any input or regard to others involved or affected by those changes. This is the same developer who has said all along that all he wants to be is a “good neighbor.”
Mike and Eleanor
Hockessin