The New Castle County Land Use Committee meeting on October 7, 2025, focused on discussions surrounding the review process for land use plans and the need for improved communication with the community regarding development changes.

Councilman Carter raised concerns about the lengthy review timelines and suggested exploring alternative review locations to alleviate administrative burdens. He emphasized the importance of revisiting the current processes, particularly regarding "buy right" plans and their necessity to go through the PLUS (Preliminary Land Use Service) review. Carter noted that while the PLUS process has its benefits, it can also delay responses and approvals, impacting the overall efficiency of land use planning.

Councilman Tackett echoed these sentiments, advocating for a collaborative approach to enhance the land use review process. He highlighted the potential delays caused by the need for plans to be referred back for technical questions, which could extend the timeline for approvals. Tackett defended the professionalism of the land use department, asserting that they perform their duties effectively and should not be questioned regarding their integrity.

Public comments were also solicited during the meeting. Rob Bullock, president of the Route 9 13 Community Advisory Committee, expressed support for legislation that would extend the notification period for community members regarding changes in development plans. He argued that transparency is crucial, as community members deserve to be informed about changes that may affect them, regardless of code compliance. Bullock called for a town hall meeting focused on the Unified Development Code (UDC) to help the community better understand the development process and their role in it.

The discussions highlighted a growing recognition of the need for improved communication and transparency in land use planning, as well as a desire to streamline the review process to better serve both the community and developers. The committee's next steps will likely involve further discussions on these topics to enhance the effectiveness of land use governance in New Castle County.