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Council discusses zoning/process changes and landlord inspection list as university move‑in approaches
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Summary
Council members debated streamlining land‑use review to increase housing supply and discussed publishing a voluntary list of rental properties that allow interior inspections ahead of heavy student move‑in periods. University and staff representatives outlined move‑in dates and permitting system updates.
Council members on July 28 discussed ways to speed up development review, broaden developer participation and help students find safe off‑campus housing as the University of Delaware prepares for fall move‑in.
Councilman Lawhorn argued the city should consider making the development process more predictable and streamlined so more, including smaller, developers will build. He said research he reviewed shows most places that reduced rents did so by making the permitting and zoning process less cumbersome. Lawhorn urged council to consider “controlling the process more upfront, making it predictable and streamlined,” so projects can proceed without unpredictable, costly delays.
Other council members agreed that council involvement earlier in the review process would help both developers and residents. Councilwoman Ford said she opposed reducing the council’s ability to review land‑use projects: "I will absolutely oppose any diminution of the power of this council to review land use projects because we review them on behalf of our residents," she said.
Caitlin, a University of Delaware representative, told council the main undergraduate move‑in days are "the 20 third through the 20 fifth for undergrads in the dorms" and noted orientation and other events will also affect Main Street traffic and housing demand. She said the university provides guidance for first‑year students and tries to assist transfer students who look for off‑campus housing later in the cycle.
Council members discussed publishing a voluntary list of rental properties whose owners allow interior inspections or have up‑to‑date certificates of occupancy as a resource for students. Staff said the city's new permitting system (EPL) now captures whether inspections were interior or exterior, but officials are still cycling legacy rental permit records into the new system. A staff member said the city went live on the new permitting system Oct. 1 and that monthly renewal cycles are being entered; staff expect to collect a full year of data before producing a comprehensive list.
Why it matters: Student move‑in periods concentrate housing demand and complaints about substandard rental units in college towns. A voluntary inspection list could help students identify properties that have allowed interior inspections or have current certificates of occupancy; changes to development review could affect how quickly new housing supply enters the market.
What happens next: Council members said they will follow up with staff and university student life offices to coordinate outreach and timing. Lawhorn indicated he will circulate references he has collected on streamlined zoning processes to inform future deliberations.