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New Castle County Council approves agreement to help buy conservation easement for about 139 acres
Summary
Council adopted Resolution R26‑041 authorizing an agreement with the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance to assist purchase of a conservation easement on roughly 139 acres; the measure passed 11–1–1 after council discussion about public‑works due diligence and one council member’s objection.
The New Castle County Council on Feb. 24 adopted Resolution R26‑041 to authorize the county executive to execute an agreement with the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance (BRCA) to assist in purchasing a conservation easement to preserve approximately 139 acres in New Castle County.
Councilwoman Durham, who requested the resolution be read by title, told the council the measure had the Open Space Advisory Board’s full support and that using an easement rather than an outright purchase reduces long‑term county maintenance and stewardship costs. “It lessens what the county has to put in, but by doing an easement rather than outright purchase it protects the property without us having long‑term expenses related to maintaining a property,” Durham said.
Councilman Carter praised county staff and the BRCA partnership, saying the county contribution represents a relatively small share of the land’s value. “We’re paying a small percentage, 10%–15% of the value of this land to have it permanently protected so that we will not have to run infrastructure and manage or worry about roads,” Carter said, adding that funds were available from accounts set aside for land protection.
Councilman Street said he would not support the resolution, arguing the county should focus on maintenance of properties in his district and raising concerns about timing. After discussion, the clerk recorded 11 yes, 1 no and 1 absent; the resolution was adopted.
The resolution authorizes the county executive to finalize an agreement with BRCA and other funders to secure the conservation easement; details on the county contribution and partner commitments were discussed in finance committee and by public‑works staff prior to the council vote.
R26‑041 is intended to preserve the described acreage in perpetuity through an easement rather than county ownership, shifting long‑term stewardship responsibilities to the partner organization while keeping the land protected from development.
