Council approves development plan for 360-unit Reserve at Northbourne

The Delaware City Council approved Resolution 25-41 on July 14, 2025, granting Metro Development a development-plan approval for the Reserve at Northbourne, a proposed 360-unit residential project on 21.51 acres at the northwest corner of State Route 521 and Bixby Parkway.

Anna, planning staff, summarized the application and told council the project conforms to the Northwood planned mixed-use overlay and the approved development text. "The elevations, as well as the site plan, the number of units, all meet the approved development text, and there's no issues from a zoning perspective," Anna said. Staff noted the project includes 15 residential buildings, tenant garages available for rent, trash compactors, a dog park, sidewalks and leisure trails that will connect through the site and to a nearby public park. Buildings that front State Route 521 will use fiber cement siding and stone as required by the development text; interior-facing buildings would use vinyl siding where allowed.

Metro Development's representative, Joe Thomas, told council the applicant received full approval from the planning commission in May and has been working with staff on engineering and building plans. Thomas said the applicant is prepared to answer questions and that staff had recommended approval.

Access to the site will be exclusively from State Route 521 with two access points; staff said the applicant is working with engineering staff on turn-lane geometry and roadway improvements on 521 to mitigate traffic.

Councilor Schaffer moved to approve Resolution 25-41; Councilor Frazier seconded. The roll call vote was unanimous in favor (Miss Griffith, Mister Haynes, Miss Frazier, Vice Mayor Schaffer, Mayor Riggle/Bridal recorded yes). The resolution passed.

Staff said the project must complete standard engineering and permitting steps before building permits are issued.