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Council approves resolution to seek state technical assistance on zoning and land-use reform, 3–2
Summary
The Town Council adopted Resolution 2025-06 authorizing application to the Delaware State Housing Authority for technical assistance on zoning and land-use reforms (seven focus areas including missing-middle housing, inclusionary zoning and reduced parking); the motion passed 3–2 after council discussion about state authority and home rule.
The council considered Resolution 2025-06, which authorizes the Town of Georgetown to apply for technical assistance from the Delaware State Housing Authority to support local zoning and land-use reforms. The resolution lists seven focus areas for the assistance: permitting missing-middle housing as a use in residential zones; creating pre-reviewed design plans; increasing buildable density and building heights for multifamily housing; establishing an inclusionary-zoning program; allowing higher-density mixed-use development in employment centers; and reducing parking requirements to support walkability.
Senator Brian Pettijohn attended and described the resolution as a state-convened, voluntary technical-assistance program that passed both chambers and the governor as a resolution, not a binding override of local ordinances. Pettijohn said the legislative chambers passed the resolution unanimously and that "the will of the general assembly was to pass that resolution through, to ask the towns to take these actions to study" local changes.
Council members debated the trade-off between pursuing resources and concerns about losing local control. One member said the town might "be tied" by state preferences; others emphasized the need for affordable housing options. Councilmember Eric moved adoption; the motion passed on a 3–2 roll-call vote.
Next steps: the resolution and certified copies will be submitted with the application to the Delaware State Housing Authority, and staff were instructed to coordinate with the technical-assistance provider if the town is selected.
