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Bellefonte Commission gives first readings to Comprehensive Plan and county tax assessment update
Summary
At its Jan. 12 meeting the Bellefonte Town Commission read two ordinances in title only — adopting the 2025 Comprehensive Plan and accepting New Castle County property tax assessments — and approved both as first readings. The Planning Commission scheduled a second public hearing in February.
The Bellefonte Town Commission conducted first readings Jan. 12 of two ordinances that move the town toward formal adoption of its planning and assessment documents.
At the meeting, the Commission read Ordinance 2026-01, which would adopt the 2025 Bellefonte Comprehensive Plan, in title only and accepted it as a first reading after a motion by Commissioner Andrew Ritchie and a second from Commissioner Logan Ritchie. Planning Commission chair Jim Paradise had earlier reported that the Planning Commission approved the 2025 Comprehensive Plan and scheduled a second public hearing in February; the PC requested concurrence from Wilmington and New Castle County and asked the Town Commission for guidance on next steps.
The Commission also read Ordinance 2026-02 in title only and accepted it as a first reading. The ordinance incorporates the updated New Castle County property tax assessments. Both first-reading actions passed unanimously.
Why it matters: The Comprehensive Plan sets long-term guidance for land use, infrastructure and growth within Bellefonte; formal town adoption begins with first readings and public hearings at the Planning Commission and Town levels. The property tax assessment update aligns local records with New Castle County assessments and can affect tax bills for property owners once final procedures are complete.
What happens next: The minutes record that a public hearing on the comprehensive plan is expected in February and that the Town scheduled a public hearing and regular Town Meeting for Feb. 9, 2026. Further official steps, including second readings and final adoption, were not completed at the Jan. 12 meeting and were listed as forthcoming.
