Delaware City Council approves major rewrite of planning and zoning code

The Delaware City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 25-38 on July 14, 2025, approving a comprehensive repeal and replacement of Part 11 (planning and zoning) of the City of Delaware codified ordinances.

City planning staff member Anna, who presented the update, told council the document reflects roughly 18 months of work and aligns the code with the city's comprehensive plan. "We think that this proposed code update is really important for Delaware's future and ensuring that, we are being responsible and following our comprehensive plan and and doing good planning and planning for the future," Anna said.

The ordinance makes several notable changes that staff highlighted. It would allow so-called supergraphics or murals in the historic downtown, subject to the historic district's certificate-of-appropriateness process and limits on colors and placement so primary facades and previously unpainted brick remain protected. The code also introduces parking maximums: the city will retain parking minimums (substantially reduced in the new code) but limit how far developers may exceed those minimums. Finally, schools were added as a permitted—but conditional—use within the civic and institutional district, making clear that schools will require site-specific review because of parking and athletic facility needs.

Council members praised staff for the work. After accepting a set of amendments proposed at the meeting, Councilor Schaffer moved to approve the ordinance as amended; Councilor Frazier seconded. A roll call vote recorded “yes” from Miss Griffith, Mister Haynes, Miss Frazier, Vice Mayor Schaffer and Mayor Bridal. The mayor declared the motion carries.

Councilors said the amendments responded to prior public comments and internal staff review. Staff described other changes as minor clarifications and typo corrections found during final review.

The ordinance replaces citywide development standards, design requirements, and the official zoning map portions referenced in the code. Staff said the change will affect a broad set of future development reviews and will be used in building- and site-plan decisions going forward.

The council's action moves the new zoning code into force under the procedures specified in the ordinance. Staff told council the new standards aim to reduce excessive surface parking and improve design consistency, while preserving historic-district review for sensitive facades.

The council's vote followed public hearings held in prior meetings; there were no public speakers on the item during the July 14 meeting.