Updated: NCC Comp Plan Update Hybrid Public Meetings: 7PM April 21st And 27th (RSVP) With Scott Run Petition And MOT Alliance

 

Update: FYI Attending via ZOOM precludes participants from joining the Q&A portion of the meetings [Find links to materials HERE] 

New Castle County Deptartment of Land Use:

NCC2050 Meeting with Land Use

7 - 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 27th

NCC Gilliam Building

Multi Purpose Conference Room

67 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720

REGISTER HERE

The April 27 Information Session will feature the following topics:

• Historic Preservation
• Conservation
• Open Space and Recreation​
• Climate Change and Hazard Mitigation​
• Utilities, Water, and Sewer

For the best experience, please plan to attend this event in person where you will be able to interact with Land Use Staff who will answer questions and receive your feedback on the specific topics presented.

This event will also be broadcast live on Zoom. The Zoom meeting link will be posted to the Dept. of Land Use website on the day of the event. Those watching online are asked to submit any feedback via email to: NCC2050@newcastlede.gov.  

Also, if you haven't heard about this issue, you will want to. I am posting more on it soon.

READ AND SIGN THIS PETITION: Scott Run Commerce Center Warehouses Petition Letter

CALL TO ACTION! The Scott Run Commerce Center plans for the 301/Jameson Corner Road area now include larger warehousing with more 18-wheeler bays than initially communicated to the public years ago. This will negatively impact pedestrian safety, traffic, and community character in MOT for years to come. BY THE END OF APRIL please submit your concerns to LandUse@newcastlede.gov and members of the NCC Council (https://nccde.org/226/County-Council). Not sure what concerns to write about? You can either watch this 27 minute overview from our neighbors Erin Kaplan Ari Kaplan and Kevin Caneco , or you can read more information about the plans on the NCC website for project #20200066 http://www3.nccde.org/project/details/default.aspx...

Note: this is a separate plan from the logistics center in the same Bayberry vicinity, which is project #20210470 which you can read about http://www3.nccde.org/project/details/default.aspx...

NCC2050 Meeting with Land Use

7 - 9 p.m. Thursday, April 21st

NCC Gilliam Building

Multi Purpose Conference Room

67 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720

REGISTER HERE

Join us to learn what's in the NCC2050 Comprehensive Plan!

Tonight's Information Session will feature the following topics:

• Mobility
• Housing​
• Community Planning and Design​
• Economic and Community Development​
• Environmental and Social Justice​
• Intergovernmental Coordination

For the best experience, please plan to attend this event in person where you will be able to interact with Land Use Staff who will answer questions and receive your feedback on the specific topics presented.

This event will also be broadcast live on Zoom. The Zoom meeting link will be posted to the Dept. of Land Use website on the day of the event. Those watching online are asked to submit any feedback via email to: NCC2050@newcastlede.gov.

If you are not able to attend this meeting, no worries! The video recording will be posted on the NCC2050 website.

A second Information Session will be held on April 27 and will feature the following topics:

• Historic Preservation
• Conservation
• Open Space and Recreation
• Climate Change and Hazard Mitigation
• Utilities, Water, and Sewer

Please register for the April 27 event here. 

And from the MOT Alliance, the citizens' group representing the area under NCC's  "future growth zone"  

Dept of Land Use formal response to MOT Alliance requests for change to the NCC2050 comprehensive plan.

From Rich Hall, manager of Dept of Land Use: FYI – we posted a “save the date” notice today for two sessions on the NCC2050. The dates are April 21st and 27th. They will be in the Multipurpose Room at the Gilliam Building and will be in the evening.

Just 3 thoughts (this is Melissa writing her own thoughts, not necessarily representing all 1,100 of us), interested to hear what others think:

(1) They have added a "recommendation" to "consider" changes to S zoning.

Melissa's Response: I would like a plan and a commitment to execute upon it that is more definitive than a recommendation to “consider”. Given our area has been identified as the growth area for the last 20 years, and given that NCC2050 establishes a plan for the next 30 years, any zoning changes should be concurrent with or prior to enacting a 30-year plan that sets policy for such zoned areas.

(2) Our preference for development style (from our 777 person survey representing more than 1% of MOT) is categorized as "growing pains" and assumed that we are "supporting segregation of housing types" which will result in an "exacerbation of existing inequity".

Melissa's Response: MOT Alliance represents RESPONSIBLE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, with our #1 principle being COMMUNITY. I believe community is not only fellowship, but also a physical place where ALL residents can gather that is respectful of ALL residents. Therefore:

1 - Housing for residents that have restricted mobility (e.g. seniors, students, underserved populations) should enable the best ease of access to those places of gathering. I'd like to see that planned (i.e. S zoning changes).

2 - Affordable housing should be proximal to support services to enable underserved populations to have an equitable quality of life. I'd like to see that planned (i.e. S zoning changes).

3 - It is irresponsible to build residential homes – regardless of style – in places with insufficient infrastructure. The Dept of Land Use response on the insufficient infrastructure is that they will continue to “work with” other governing bodies (re: our school concerns), “monitor” (re: our EMS/Fire/Police concerns), and defer to addressing additional concerns legislatively (i.e. not do anything). I believe this approach is contrary to the mission of MOT Alliance, and I'd like to see better planning than "work with" "monitor" and defer.

4 - Lastly, I personally am disheartened that they misinterpreted our survey to mean we want segregation of housing types. I think the fact we prefer single family homes over multifamily could also mean we want more single family homes that are affordable, more mixed use developments with a larger percentage of single family than multifamily, or any other possible interpretation. I encourage the Land Use department to better understand our position before making inflammatory accusations.

(3) Our request to reduce residential growth until infrastructure increases is denied, and misinterpreted as a request to stop development.

Melissa's response: We represent Responsible Growth and Development; even the terms "growth" and "development" are in our mission statement. Some residents may want to stop growth altogether, but we -- the majority of our group, and the MOT Alliance committee -- believe in our unifying mission FOR RESPONSIBLE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. I'd like Land Use to respond to our request to REDUCE residential growth. 

CLNCC ZOOM Monthly Meeting - NCC Stormwater Ordinance And CCOBH Presentation - 7PM Tuesday, April 19th

 

CLNCC Monthly Meeting

7 p.m. Tuesday, April 19th

ZOOM Program

Civic League for New Castle County  Zoom Meeting

Time: April 19th  2022 7:00 PM EST

Topic :: NCCo Stormwater Ordinance, Chapter 13,
Guest :: Stormwater and Environmental Programs Manager New Castle County, Department of Public Works Michael Harris 

Topic :: Areas of Concern & NCC Land Use - Development  
Guest :: CCOBH RJ Miles 
                 
Join CLNCC Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 898 692 4710
Passcode: 12345
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8986924710?pwd=YmJMbUhpZlpoMUtGMERqdENCQlk5UT09

CLNCC Public Monthly ZOOM Meeting Set For 7PM March 15th

CLNCC Monthly Meeting

7 p.m. Tuesday, March 15th

ZOOM Program

Civic League for New Castle County  Zoom Meeting
Time:15 March , 2022 07:00 PM EST
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8986924710?pwd=YmJMbUhpZlpoMUtGMERqdENCQlk5UT09
Join CLNCC Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 898 692 4710
Passcode: 12345

CLNCC Monthly Meeting - With Councilman Sheldon On NIDs, ZOOM Program 7PM February 15th

CLNCC Monthly Meeting

7 p.m. Tuesday, February 15th

ZOOM Program

Civic League for New Castle County  Zoom Meeting
Time: Feb 15 Feb , 2021 07:00 PM EST
Guest : NCC Councilman Tim Sheldon 

Join CLNCC Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8986924710?pwd=YmJMbUhpZlpoMUtGMERqdENCQlk5UT09

Meeting ID: 898 692 4710
Passcode: 12345

And read more about NIDs - New Castle County moves forward on neighborhood improvement districts Passes resolution to request GA approval

CLNCC Public ZOOM Monthly Meeting - With Daniel Blevins Principal Planner At Wilmapco - 7PM Tuesday, January 18th

 

CLNCC Monthly Meeting

7 p.m. Tuesday, January 18th

ZOOM Program

Civic League for New Castle County  Zoom Meeting
Time: Jan 18 Nov, 2022 07:00 PM EST
Guest Daniel Blevins Principal Planner at Wilmapco

Join CLNCC Zoom Meeting
https://bit.ly/3F46ENe

Meeting ID: 898 692 4710
Passcode: 12345

County Comments January 2022:

How can there be 20,000 excess residential units in New Castle County 

by Charles C Stirk Jr 1/1/2022 

How can there be 20,000 excess residential units in New Castle County . 
 

225,245 Residential Units in NCC

205,829 Households in NCC

48,000+ Approved New Residential Units NCC 2020

For years now NCC Has had an ordnance registering vacant residential property but no ware near a 1000+ number have been registered.

 

Are these 20,000 vacant residential units Zombie properties ?  In 2012 WILMAPCO estimated 14,700 vacant residential properties in New Castle County . In nearly a decade have vacant residential property increased by approximately 5000 units ?

Are there nearly 20,000 vacation homes & Pied-à-terre or short term rentals such as Airbnb in NCC ? A check of Airbnb list only 300 ish available units in NCC . 

What portion of the 20,000 excess residential units owned by real estate investment funds ?

Using residential property as an investment asset such as gold &  Intently holding vacant residential property from the market  would seem to be a Nonconforming Use to a Land Use Department .

The Variety of Land Use Departments in New Castle County did not approve residential development for 20,000 units or roughly 5% of all residential property to sit vacant .

In any case the various state of ownership 5% residential property in New Castle County is currently vacant & beyond the market . The various vacant residential property ordnances have not solved the issue at hand . 

What Can Be Done ? 

Vacancy / Empty homes tax

The City of Vancouver In British Columbia has come up with a possible solution The Empty Homes Tax, also known as the "Vacancy Tax”, VACANCY TAX BY-LAW NO. 11674 . 

Simply put an additional 3% of the taxable assessed value on vacant residential properties doubling year on year . 

A originally written the By-law doubled the Empty homes tax year on year 

1st year 3% 2nd year 6% 3rd year 12% 4th year 24% 5th year 48% 6th year 96% of the taxable assessed value on vacant residential properties .

A ordinance such as above doubling the Empty homes tax year on year would seemingly strongly encourage all owners of vacant residential property to bring such residential units back to the marketplace .

Comp Plan April 7 2021 Workshop

By Vic Singer

This evening  Wednesday -- I attended the LU Department's 6 pm to 8 pm Comp Plan Workshop entitled "April 7, 2021 - Community Design and Historic Preservation."  The LU Department followed up by asking for an evaluation survey, in two principal parts.  The first, a General Comment on the entire seance, was limited to 1000 characters (no, NOT 180 words).  The second or Other Comments section, was unlimited. My unexpurgated remarks in both sections follow.

In minor parts, I acknowledged living in 1973 in an owned home, being white, non-hispanic and over 65 with an income greater than $100K.  Actually, my mother's family was hispanic before the Spanish Inquisition in the 1490's; over succeeding centuries they wound up in Eastern Europe, and then to Canada in the 1920's  

You may remember that during our gathering Monday afternoon/evening, I mentioned that during my many years designing rocket motors for numerous communication satellites, it was my practice to encourage our customers to develop a sense of ownership of the design by allowing them to make some design decisions, but never on anything crucial to mission success.  We let the customer choose what colors to paint the bathrooms. 

My overall impression of this particular Comp Plan public involvement opportunity is that the LU Department is giving the public an opportunity to choose what colors to paint the bathrooms.  The 1000 character limit on comments sort of confirms that.

GENERAL COMMENT ON THE ENTIRE SEANCE

The seance focused on land use patterns (unusual in NC County at least north of the canal) suitable for accommodating population growth, and for existing populations seeking newer quarters. I'm aware of only one area in NC County where an existing community was razed and replaced with a new lot layout -- west of Philadelphia Pike near the PA line and the former steel plant. Should that happen again, the present street pattern may well be preserved, to re-use buried water, sewer, telephone and electric infrastructure.

I asked also how many years of growth can be accommodated by using the existing inventory of platted but undeveloped dwelling lots.

Mr Hall acknowledged (responding to my comments) that NC County's growth rate is expected to turn negative after 2040, but that he has little faith in population projections. Our Population Consortium's historic strategy is to get all the players to agree on projection methodology, thereby locking them into the result. NC County is one of the players. Mr Hall should have more than intuition to support his view.

A re-focus is sorely needed.

COMMENT AT "OTHER THOUGHTS" SECTION

.Mr Kohl (our Comp Plan land use consultant) deprecated situations where a streetscape is damaged by an electric pole line on one side and a telephone pole line on the other side. Had he devoted sufficient time to familiarization with NC County, he would have observed that for perhaps more than three decades, out telephone and low voltage electric lines have been underground. He also acknowledged that his firm is rarely engaged by communities that expect negative population growth. Did we hire the wrong consultant on Mr Hall's intuition that the Population Consortium's projection is faulty?

First, a 1/27/2015 e-mail from the UDC Update Consultant to the LU GM, and related correspondence, are consistent with a new overlay zoning scheme that would create Economic Development Districts and Neighborhood Conservation Districts. The 1/27/2015 e-mail addresses regulatory incentives of the Economic Development Districts, including "Modifications to concurrency in traffic impact analysis such as exemptions from traffic impact studies, level of service standard reductions . . . that reduce the cost of compliance.

Second, except for the absence of the term "Overlay Zoning," both the 12/16/2014 and 2/10/2015 SOW drafts already include the terms "Economic Development Districts" and "Neighborhood Conservation Districts" in text that conveniently avoids mentioning that relaxations of the concurrency, LOS and TIS requirements are being contemplated.

The apparent UDC Update strategy is to soften up the audience -- the public -- with sweet talk before exposing the bitter pills. We are to be lulled into complacency before being urged to drink the Kool-Aid.

And at the regulatory level -- how individual land use intensification applications are to be handled -- exactly the same strategy again appears: Keep the public in the dark until it's too late to mount an effective defense, thereby making the Kool-Aid easier to swallow. That strategy is clearly stated in both the 12/16/2014 and 2/10/2015 SOW drafts, in text under a "Short Term UDC Amendments" heading and a "Streamline Development Review Procedures" heading. That text: "emphasize procedures that involve staff approval rather than discretionary public hearings."

.Eliminating "discretionary" hearings means hearings other than the Planning Board and County Council public hearings which are mandated by State law. It is hardly credible that the UDC Update SOW would include such a provision if it didn't reflect the views of the LU GM. Those views boldly contradict her advocacy, in numerous presentations to many groups in and outside of government, of early involvement of the public in land use intensification applications, is just sweet talk before the Kool-Aid comes into view.

MOT Alliance Public Zoom Meeting With NCC Officials: 6PM January 12th; NCC Comp Plan Draft Comments Due January 30th

 

MOT Alliance ~

IMPORTANT - VIRTUAL Public Forum - Southern New Castle County

6 - 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 12th

ZOOM Meeting

REGISTER HERE

You are welcome to pre-register at:

https://tinyurl.com/SNCCJan12

TOP PRIORITY TO ATTEND!

Reason for meeting: New Castle County government has been directing a master planning process for Southern New Castle County (SNCC) over the last several years. To date, that process has yielded the draft SNCC Master Plan. This virtual public forum has been organized with the County Land Use Department, the MOT Alliance, and local public officials in an effort to continue building on the work of the southern NCC master planning effort and to further engage the community on important planning issues to support modifications as the draft countywide comprehensive plan gets updated.

On January 12th, after brief introductions from elected panelists and guests, we will spend time on each of the following 5 topics, including time for audience participation and questions.
Topic #1: Economy / Jobs
Topic #2: Environment
Topic #3: Quality of Life and Community Services (this includes schools, public safety, and other)
Topic #4: Community Design / Character
Topic #5: Transportation

There will be some time at the end of the meeting for general public comments and questions. Please keep statements to less than 1 minute. The chat feature of the meeting will be open so you may also submit comments and questions there.

With more from the MOT Alliance ~

The Middletown Odessa Townsend (MOT) Alliance is a grassroots, community run organization whose mission is to promote responsible growth and development in the MOT region.  The community members have been working with our office, the New Castle County (NCC) Department of Land Use, as well as state representatives to provide feedback on the Southern New Castle County Master Plan, as well as the overall NCC Comprehensive Plan. In addition to comments on the land use plans, the MOT Alliance is gathering information to share with the Department of Land Use on how residents of the MOT region would like to see growth and development in the community.  The Alliance has developed a thoughtful survey to better understand what residents throughout Southern NCC desire for our future.  The survey takes about 10-15 minutes to complete.  If you have a few minutes, please give your feedback by completing the survey at http://www.motalliance.com/survey Additionally, the MOT Alliance has been working with the Department of Land Use to schedule a MOT focused workshop on future planning for the region.  This workshop will take place on January 12 at 6:00PM at the Volunteer Hose of Middletown (28 W Green St) we hope that you can attend to give your feedback on what you hope to see in the future for our community.

NCC@2050 Draft Plan 

The NCC@2050 Comprehensive Plan draft is now available for review and public comment.  Public comment on the draft plan will be accepted until January 30, 2022*.  You can view and download the draft plan here.  In each section of the plan there is a link to leave a comment, you can also provide feedback by emailing NCC2050@newcastlede.gov

*Note: The county had set January 12th as the end of the Comp Plan Draft comment period to great objection from residents, especially from this group, as this meeting had already been scheduled for the same day and that would have prevented meaningful dialogue and direct information from the county from being included in the draft commentary. 4

As I understand it, for those reasons, Dave Carter was able to persuade Rich Hall to agree to extend the comment period to January 30th. Thanks Dave! 

NCC Comp Plan Public DRAFT REVIEW Forums: In-Person 4-7PM December 9th; VIRTUAL 6PM December 15th; Comments Due January 12th

What is New Castle County planning for future growh? Don't let the process go on without your input. 

December Comp Plan Draft review meetings links below.

The draft New Castle County Comprehensive Plan (NCC@2050) is available for review and comment. The plan can be downloaded here 

Here is how the public can participate in continuing to shape the final plan:

• December 9^th or 15^th for Public Forum 3: we will be discussing the draft NCC@2050 Comprehensive Plan: Please click on your preferred date and register: 4-7pm December 9th (in-person) and 6-7:30pm December 15^th (virtual).
• Review the draft and submit your comments by January 12: follow this link to the draft NCC@2050 Comprehensive Plan on the web where you can view/download any of the plan chapters and comment by email. (If you or someone you know is not able to access through the web, please contact us and we can get you a printed copy. Email NCC2050@newcastlede.gov or call 302-395-5400.
• Share with others! The plan website has a full range of project highlights and details: NCC2050.NewCastleDE.gov

 

About the draft NCC@2050 Plan

This is what readers will see in the draft plan:

• an introductory overview of the process;
• plan priorities, including a detailed listing of strategies for action;
• the draft future land use map and other associated maps;
• background on the conditions of New Castle County and analysis that informed this planning effort; and
• summaries of the extensive public engagement efforts.
• Some components of the draft are more specific and fully developed than others, especially the case in Chapter B (Plan Priorities and Signature Strategies) and Chapter C (Future Land Use and Implementation). Additional details will be added over the coming months.
• The draft is the result of 11 public meetings, dozens of community and stakeholder meetings, and thousands of website and web survey interactions.

And from MOT Alliance:  

ACTION NEEDED! If you have just five minutes before December 15th, please use this link to submit feedback on NCC’s proposed $30 million affordable housing fund.  

Write just a few sentences in YOUR OWN words of how you’d like to see such a program operate as building occurs in MOT.  

Remember: MOT Alliance represents RESPONSIBLE growth and development, and some of that growth will be affordable housing. Let’s define for our government officials what RESPONSIBLITY they have to make sure that growth promotes quality of life for ALL MOT RESIDENTS. Policies should not incentivize developers unless NCC ensures infrastructure is in place (services like public transit, job accessibility, health and emergency services, etc). Do not copy/paste this text in your submission but use it to influence your own words. Messages that convey racism, classism, and other stereotypes are not tolerated and do not reflect our mission.

 

CLNCC Monthly Public Meeting Set For 7PM Tuesday, November 16th Via ZOOM

CLNCC Monthly Meeting

7 p.m. Tuesday, November 16th

ZOOM Program

Topic: CLNCC Zoom Meeting

Time: Nov 16, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8986924710?pwd=YmJMbUhpZlpoMUtGMERqdENCQlk5UT09

Meeting ID: 898 692 4710

Passcode: 12345

NCC Parks Hybrid Town Halls Start 6PM Monday, November 8th In New Castle And Continue Through November 22nd

 

NCC Parks Town Hall

6 - 7:30 p.m. Monday, November 8th

Route 9 Library

3022 New Castle Ave, New Castle, DE 19720

Parks Public Meetings Overview 

New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer, along with the general manager of the Public Works Department, Tracy Surles, have announced a schedule of public engagement meetings regarding New Castle County parks. 

The town halls will be held in person with limited in-person attendance and a virtual option. The County maintains 249 parks comprising over 6,000 acres of land.

Schedule

Monday, November 8 at the Route 9 Innovation Center & Library 

• In-Person registration
• Zoom Webinar registration

Monday, November 15 at the Bear Library

• In-Person registration
• Zoom Webinar registration

Tuesday, November 16 at the Appoquinimink Library

• In-Person registration
• Zoom Webinar registration

Thursday, November 18 at the Kirkwood Library

• In-Person registration
• Zoom Webinar registration

Friday, November 19 via Zoom Webinar Only

• Zoom Webinar registration

Monday, November 22 at the Claymont Library

• In-Person registration
• Zoom Webinar registration

NOTE TO CE Meyer - you should not conduct these meetings as a way to gather input for the Comprehensive Plan Update (CPU) unless THAT is clearly stated as one of the goals of these public meetings. 

At last Tuesday's Council Land Use Meeting, we heard from DLU GM Rich Hall that here is an Open Space Statement on a Comprehensive Plan Update Priority List that he shared was in the planning document draft (to be publicly revealed at the end of November).

Otensibly, to address this Future Planning Statement Goal, the Comprehensive Planning process would be collecting input on whether county residents want more open space, what kind of open space, how it should be used, and how much of it do New Castle Countians want to pay for

New Castle County Property Reassessment VIRTUAL Meetings Run October 20-28

From WDEL - New Castle, Kent counties to host property reassessment meetings

New Castle County will be hosting a series of meetings, both online and virtually, that start next week. Here's the schedule:

• Wednesday, October 20 at 6 p.m. 67 Reads Way, Gilliam Multipurpose Room | Register Here

• Thursday, October 21 at 2 p.m. 67 Reads Way, Gilliam Multipurpose Room | Register Here

• Thursday, October 21 at 6 p.m. 67 Reads Way, Gilliam Multipurpose Room | Register Here

• Wednesday, October 27 at 6 p.m. 67 Reads Way, Gilliam Multipurpose Room | Register Here (accessibility session with ASL interpreter)

• Thursday, October 28 at 1p.m. 67 Reads Way, Gilliam Multipurpose Room  | Register Here

To access these meetings on Zoom, click here. The webinar ID is  828 8241 0392 while the passcode is 716384. You may also call 312.626.6799 and use the aforementioned webinar ID and passcode.