Milton planners approve new modular building at Mariner Middle

Milton Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a request by Cape Henlopen School District to place a new modular building at Mariner Middle School.

Zach Crouch, engineer for Cape Henlopen School District, requested to have a new modular classroom at Mariner and to have the district’s special-use exception to extend use of the two current modular buildings into 2027. Crouch said the reason for this request is to house students while a new middle school is being built in Lewes. The two current modular buildings at Mariner were approved for use in 2018. Crouch said the new middle school in Lewes is scheduled for completion in 2025. 

The modular building would be located on the western corner of the school where the other two buildings are located. The new building would be 24-by-68 feet.

At its March 15 meeting, the commission attached a set of conditions to their approval. First, the site-plan for the school must be updated to reflect the new building. Second, the size of the new modular building must be reflected on the site-plan. Third, no outdoor lighting around the building is allowed. Finally, the school district must make a new application to extend its special-use exception for its modular buildings if the district needs the buildings beyond five years. 

The commission put its motion together in two segments, one for the use and another for duration of the exception. With the conditions attached, the motion was passed unanimously.