A Petition for Appeal of the determination made by Kent County Board of Appeals denying Petitioner’s request that the Frank M Jarman American Legion Post 36 at 9155 American Legion Rd. conform to Critical Area Residential zone use was filed with the Circuit Court of Kent County on August 24.
Petitioners Thomas Voshell and Chesmar Community Foundation, with attorneys Daniel Saunders and Lance Young, filed the petition.
After three sessions in July and August, the Kent County Board of Appeals determined that the property continues to meet the standards of its original 1962 status as non-conforming property.
The American Legion has been in negotiations to sell the property to Minary’s Dream Alliance, Inc. where the group continues its mission as a non-profit youth education center and Feed the Elderly Program. The organization has been leasing the property for about a year.
“We are probably looking at briefing starting in October and an argument next spring.” says Stephen Meehan, attorney for Minary’s Dream Alliance, Inc.
Jacqueline says
Truly amazing. Rich people trying everything thing they can to get their way and stand in the way of quality programs for the youth in KC. Shameful.
Grenville B. Whitman says
Some folks just don’t know when to quit.
Joan Berwick says
Oh for crying out loud! Let’s just see how difficult we can make it for a non-profit to do good in Kent County. Tie it all up in court forever. This disgusts me.
Carol Schroeder says
I just drove down American Legion Road to see if I could tell what all the fuss is about. The American Legion building virtually stands alone on the left side of the road with a big field across the street from it. My car passed about 8 small houses before reaching the AL. More houses are beyond the AL building and would not be impacted by any of the possible traffic. There is a lot of land on all four sides of the AL building. There is no house right next door. I do not see why people are objecting to Minary’s Dream Alliance buying the building. The so-called impact on the neighborhood can be no more than the impact of the AL itself when they used it. Looking at the layout of the street makes the complaints even more suspicious and unreasonable.
Lindsey Stephanie says
What a shame! There is no hope for the underprivileged youth in Kent County as long as we have people who care about nothing but themselves. Will they ever give up?
Gretchen F Stroh says
totally ridiculous. They’ve been operating there for a year, and now they decide they don’t want them in their neighborhood? I suggest the plaintiffs each donate 10,000$ to Minary’s instead of wasting their money on lawyers. Our community needs as many services like this as we can get. I guess they just don’t like kids and senior citizens. Next they’ll be kicking puppies down the road.
Diane McComb says
What is it about feeding children and elders that cause an entire neighborhood to say “Not in my back yard?” Seriously? Is it that not everyone understands the concept of communities coming together? Is it that some people don’t realize how strong a community becomes when we make sure everyone is fed? Or children have activities to grow from and enjoy? What is it that makes a neighborhood want to say “I’ve got mine” but you can’t have yours? This is perplexing – that a neighborhood would go to such lengths to keep others from Kent County from having a place to just be.
Jane Sullivan says
The neighborhood follows strict zoning laws in order to protect the environment. This has only started because the ideas stated for the property do not follow the restrictions that neighbors have been following for years. They can’t build too close to the water, they need improved septic systems, etc. Why should they be exempt when the county imposes restrictions for everyone else in that neighborhood? It has gotten way out of proportion. Read the requirements of the neighborhood before jumping to conclusions about racism. The neighbors never said no to Minary, just no to the descrepencies in what is allowed vs. not allowed.