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 Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (through the State of Delaware DHSS) to the Department of Public Works for wastewater monitoring work. (Moved and discussed in committee by Councilman Carter; roll call: 13 yes; no public comment.)

- Ordinance 25-022: Amend the FY2025 capital program and appropriate $29,600 received from the State of Delaware Department of Transportation through the Community Transportation Fund to the Department of Public Works Greenway Systems capital project. (Councilman Carter; roll call: 13 yes.)

- Ordinance 25-023: Install Traditionaire street lights with LED bulbs in the Overlook at Bayberry subdivision and establish a light tax base for the cost. (Councilman Carter; roll call: 13 yes.)

- Ordinance 25-024: Amend the grants budget — appropriate interest income and program income ($6,390.25 and $163,310.29) to the FY2024 HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) program administered by the Department of Community Services. (Councilman Street introduced; roll call: 13 yes.)

- Ordinance 25-026 and 25-027 (introduced earlier in the agenda list): amendments related to stormwater maintenance districts and a Delaware DOJ technology grant for public safety (titles read at the meeting and included on the agenda) were part of the introduced slate and proceeded through the typical reading/consent process.

Council also approved several ceremonial resolutions on the consent calendar, including Resolution 25-048 and 25-049 congratulating public safety personnel, Resolution 25-050 recognizing March as National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Resolution 25-051 approving the Plan of Claymont Self Storage (major land development plan), Resolution 25-052 honoring Jeffrey K. Polites, and Resolution 25-053 memorializing the life of Greg W. Shelton. The roll calls for the listed ordinances and resolutions showed 13 yes votes where recorded; public comment was generally not offered on these items during their consideration.

Why it matters: The new zoning district (Ordinance 24-130 substitute) creates a defined category in the county code for publicly owned conserved lands and parks, which can affect future land-use decisions, park planning and conservation projects. The package of grants and appropriations funds ongoing public-safety monitoring, sidewalk/greenway improvements, sewer and plant operations, and community housing programs that local departments administer.

Votes at a glance (selected items): - Substitute No.1 to Ordinance 24-130 (zoning for publicly owned conserved land/public parks) — approved (roll: 13 yes). - Ordinance 25-021 (DHHS/SAMHSA wastewater monitoring grant) — approved (roll: 13 yes). - Ordinance 25-022 (DT0 Community Transportation Fund to Greenway Systems) — approved (roll: 13 yes). - Ordinance 25-023 (street light installation, Overlook at Bayberry) — approved (roll: 13 yes). - Ordinance 25-024 (HOME program appropriation of interest and program income) — approved (roll: 13 yes). - Resolution 25-051 (Plan of Claymont Self Storage, major land development plan) — approved (roll: 13 yes). - Resolutions honoring public servants and memorials as listed on the consent calendar — approved (consent calendar roll: 13 yes).

Council members who spoke on these items included Councilman Carter, Councilman Cartier and Councilman Street when introducing or moving measures; the meeting record shows motions made, titles read by the clerk and roll-call votes recorded. Public comment was not offered on most of the ordinances when called during the meeting.

The council returned to normal order of business after suspending rules to hear the substitute zoning ordinance and the Claymont Self Storage plan during the same session.

Ending: Many of the approved measures are funding or technical changes that will be implemented by county departments: Department of Public Works, Department of Public Safety (Division of Police), and Department of Community Services. For several items, council indicated committee discussion had occurred earlier the same day.