New Castle County Council approves zoning change for public parks and a package of grants, budgets and street projects

The New Castle County Council voted on March 25 to approve a substitute ordinance creating a new zoning district for publicly owned conserved land and public parks, and adopted several grants, appropriations and local projects in a single meeting session.

Council approved substitute No.1 to Ordinance 24-130, which amends Chapter 40 of the New Castle County Unified Development Code to establish a zoning district for publicly owned conserved land and public parks. Councilman Carter introduced the substitute and asked that it be read by title; the roll call on the substitute showed unanimous support among members present (roll revealed 13 yes). There was no public comment on the ordinance at the meeting.

Alongside the zoning measure, council approved a package of ordinances and resolutions on the consent calendar and under consideration. Passed items included: the acceptance and appropriation of several grants for public safety and community projects; capital program adjustments for public works and sewer fund transfers; street lighting installation in the Overlook at Bayberry subdivision; and appropriations to the HOME Investment Partnership program. Specific items approved (title and action):

- Ordinance 25-021: Amend the grants budget — appropriate $100,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance…