Dear 8th District constituents, Happy New Year and welcome to 2025! To keep you informed here's my January/February neighborhood update. Please don't hesitate to get in touch at any time if you have a concern.
Sincerely,
Nathan Field 8th District City Councilman Cell: 302-530-6626 Email: Nrfield@wilmingtonde.gov Facebook/Instagram: Fielddistrict8
PS - If you want to be added to the email or mailing list to receive future neighborhood updates, please send a text, call or email.
109th Wilmington City Council Session Has Begun I am honored to have the opportunity to represent you for another four years. The new Mayor, former governor John Carney, and Council were sworn in on Tuesday January 7th. We look forward to working together to move the city forward.
Rockford Winter Lights Up Through Mid-February
They started a bit later than in the previous years due to ongoing maintenance on this 125 year old structure. Special thanks to Joe Delose of the City's Public Works Department and the Construction crew for their flexibility in making sure this new neighborhood tradition doesn't skip a beat.
Restoring the Warner School World War Two Memorial
Special shout out to Jim Tevebaugh, a passionate local historian and the driving force to restore a touching monument erected in 1949 by Warner students to honor 34 of their friends that were killed in the Second World War.
I am honored to help Jim and the school's latest generation revitalize the memorial and move it to a more central location.
Creating an Annual Gardening/Beautification Competition
I look forward to working with residents to start a Wilmington version of what other cities are doing to beautify their streets.
There will be different categories for different size front yards or porches, and a "right of way" option so neighbors with any sized yard or level of resources can participate.
Volunteer judges and anyone with special gardening knowledge are much needed.
Some examples of award categories in other cities:
Proposed Rezoning at 1934 Mt Salem Lane
See more details at bottom of page:**
Major Legislative Issues on the Horizon
Retail Marijuana
The new City Council and Mayor will have to determine to what extent – if any – cannabis dispensaries should be permitted in the City of Wilmington. In 2023 the Delaware State legislature passed a law that allowed municipalities - if they want- to permit retail marijuana stores. Several Delaware towns and cities opted out.
Throughout Wilmington there is strong opposition unless there is a major "buffer zone" isolating them from residential blocks.
Short Term Rentals
A trend of investors buying homes in the city for the sole purpose of turning them into Air BnBs is causing major quality of life issues in residential neighborhoods. The City zoning administrator considers Short Term rentals in residential zones to be against City code. “Cease and Desist” letters have been sent when such properties have been identified. Nearby cities such as Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and DC have strongly restricted the ability of someone to buy a property solely for the purpose of turning it into an Air BnB with no intention of ever living there. Wilmington will look to enact stronger rules and more regular enforcement of its code as relates to this practice in the coming term.
Fun Events January and February
The Jazz Age - national exhibit at the Delaware Art Museum through January 26th. Hayworth and Finch - New Restaurant - Opens in Trolley Square Wilmington Landmark Turns 40 Screening Room at 1313 Continues to Show Great Independent Cinema Art Loop February 7th at Delaware Center for Horticulture
Information Received about 1934 Rising Sun Lane Proposed Rezoning:
*I wanted to provide to you information on a small) project in your neighborhood that I wanted to introduce you to. My client, Marra Homes (Joe Marra), has purchased a lot located at 1934 Rising Sun Lane near Tower hill and is looking to construct a duplex home on this lot (see attached). This will require a minor subdivision plan, as well as a rezoning from R-1 to R-2, a category consistent with most, if not all of the homes, along Rising Sun Lane. Indeed, as you can see from the attached, however, of the lots in this area are already zoned R-2 and many contain duplex homes such that proposed for this lot. As the map shows, most of the other lots in this area are owned by the same entity, RSL Real Estate Holdings, which, I believe is owned by a member of the DuPont family (from speaking with my client)."
PS - If you want to be added to the email or mailing list to receive future neighborhood updates, please send a text, call or email.
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