SEPTEMBER 2005

New Castle County Comp Plan Update Process Begins

The Delaware Code requires that all counties and municipalities update their Comprehensive Development Plans every five years.  New Castle County is beginning the process of updating its Comprehensive Development Plan (Comp Plan) with a kick-off meeting on September 26, 2006, from 5 to 9 p.m., at the Rockwood Visitors Center.

In a letter to potential participants in the process, New Castle County Executive Chris Coons wrote, “This is our central planning document and the resource that we use to target our resources and review all potential development projects.  For this plan to be meaningful and to reflect the needs of all of New Castle County's stakeholders, it is important that the review process be open and inclusive.”  It is important that members of the business community participate in this process to ensure that the Comp Plan will facilitate, rather than impede, responsible economic development as the Plan is implemented into law.

There will be four advisory committees whose members will commit to a 10-month process, meeting monthly and producing preliminary recommendations by the end of December and final recommendations by June 2006.  If you would like to serve on one of the committees, attend the September 26th kickoff or call Department of Land Use General Manager Charles Baker.

The four advisory committees, which will “review issues of growth in New Castle County–where it should occur, how it should be designed, what supporting infrastructure will be needed and how the processes that review and regulate growth should be shaped,” are as follows (from the Department of Land Use):

Future Land Use Advisory Committee

The Future Land Use Advisory Committee deals with the issues of where and at what density development should occur.  Some of the questions that this committee needs to address are:

• Is there enough appropriately zoned land for our jobs and housing needs through 2030?
• How much development should occur in municipalities, on vacant land, or through redevelopment?
• Are the current non-residential zoning districts appropriate?
• Does existing zoning provide for an appropriate mix of housing types, including affordable housing?
• Should the density and/or size of the growth areas be changed?

Issues such as residential growth, economic development, redevelopment and infill strategies, affordable housing incentives, and annexation procedures are examples of specific issues that may be considered by the Future Land Use Advisory Committee.

Infrastructure Advisory Committee

The Infrastructure Advisory Committee deals with the issue of what infrastructure and services are needed to support existing and future growth.  The questions that this committee needs to address are:

• What are the desired service levels for each type of infrastructure and service?
• How will we ensure that infrastructure and services are available to adequately support existing and future development in our communities?
• How will we pay for these infrastructure needs?

This committee will focus on plans for the full range of services managed by the county, including parks, libraries, sewers, stormwater management, and emergency services.  The committee will also consider essential infrastructure provided by other agencies, especially transportation services.

Community Character Advisory Committee

The Community Character Advisory Committee deals with the general issue of how future development should be designed.  The questions that this committee needs to address are:

• How do we ensure that all communities, existing and planned, are designed to be safe, diverse, walkable, and attractive?
• Within urban areas, what are appropriate locations, design characteristics, and incentives for transit-oriented development, traditional neighborhood development, mixed uses, affordable housing, and infill development?
• Within suburban areas, what are the appropriate design characteristics and incentives for traditional neighborhood development, village/hamlets, affordable housing, and infill?
• Within rural New Castle County, how do we ensure that the rural character is preserved and enhanced?

Issues such as mobility-friendly design, enhancing public safety in communities, the compatibility of infill, the location of open space and recreational opportunities, and incorporating historic elements into communities are examples of specific issues that may be considered by the Community Character Advisory Committee.

Development and Building Review Process Advisory Committee

The Development and Building Review Process Advisory Committee deals with the design of an efficient and effective process.  The questions that this committee needs to address are:

• How can we create a more efficient and effective development review process?
• How can we improve the permitting construction and inspection process without diminishing the essential procedures and controls imposed by the Unified Development Code?

Issues such as the number of stages in the development plan review process, open space inspections, and the timing for public involvement are examples of specific issues that may be considered by the Development and Building Review Process Advisory Committee.

Big Win On 3.319

On September 20th the Planning Board voted 8-0 to recommend approval of Ordinance 05-087 which would remove 3.319 from the Unified Development Code (see Beverley Baxter's enclosed letter to the Department and Planning Board).  County Council will vote on the Ordinance at its October 11th meeting.  This, along with the redevelopment ordinance, will be one of the most significant improvements, to allow for  responsible development, since the imposition of the Unified Development Plan on December 31, 1997.

Beverley Baxter