Committee backs resolution asking state to require council confirmation of mayor’s planning commission picks

Councilman Spadola sponsored a resolution asking the Delaware General Assembly to amend the Wilmington City Charter so the five planning commission members appointed by the mayor would be subject to confirmation by city council.

Spadola argued the change would align the city charter with state law used by other municipalities and strengthen checks and balances. “State law for other municipalities says the mayor puts forth the appointees, but they're approved by council,” he said, and added that the current arrangement, where the planning commission is appointed entirely by the executive branch while it takes a three-fourths council vote to override planning commission decisions, is inconsistent with democratic accountability.

Several committee members voiced support and asked to be added as cosponsors during the meeting. Council Member Field said the measure represents a “best practice” and argued previous planning commissions had included members who lived outside the city and sometimes issued decisions that were not responsive to neighborhoods. Council Members Darby, Willower, Hackett, Owens, Congo (Council President), McCoy, Harley and Bracey each requested to be listed as cosponsors during the committee discussion.

Committee members did not take a committee vote; the chair moved the resolution forward for consideration at the full city council meeting in April. Spadola asked colleagues who support the measure to add themselves as cosponsors before it is sent to the state so sponsors are visible when state staff review the request.