Campaign To End Debtors’ Prison ZOOM Discussion: DE Law, Fines And Fees Policies, 7PM Thursday, July 23rd

From Westminster’s Peace and Justice Work Group:

Campaign to End Debtors’ Prison 

Peace and Justice Education Series:

7 p.m. Thursday, July 23rd

ZOOM Meeting (Link Below)

Westminster’s Peace and Justice Work Group will feature a speaker from the Campaign to End Debtors’ Prison. Come learn how Delaware’s laws and policies related to fines and fees unfairly punish those in poverty. 

We’ll also discuss what can be done about it! 

Join us at this Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84768977211 ...Or go to zoom.us/join, enter Meeting ID 847 6897 7211 and click “Join.”

DNREC CRODA VIRTUAL Public Meeting 6PM Tomorrow; VIRTUAL Public Hearing, 6PM Tuesday, July 21st (RSVP)

Just last night, the New Castle County Council expressed its will in opposition to the CRODA facility expansion proposal by passing RESOLUTION NO. 20-154 (Read Full Text Below.)

Please consider attending the state's two upcoming online meetings regarding this expansion. Registration links can be found below.

DNREC Notice of Public Meeting and Hearing: Croda, Inc.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Division of Air Quality, will conduct a public information meeting and a public hearing (Docket # 2020-P-A-0018) on the permit application and draft permit for Croda, Inc. (Croda).  Croda, having a facility at 315 Cherry Lane, New Castle, Delaware, has requested a federally enforceable 7 DE Admin. Code 1102 construction permit (APC-2020/0070-CONSTRUCTION (FE)) to add a 12,000 gallon drumming tank (Blend Drumming Tank C, Emission Unit 2) to existing Blend Tanks A and B at their facility.  The emission increase for the addition of Blend Tank C will be 0.36 ton per year (TPY) of volatile organic compounds (VOC) including 0.17 TPY hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) (primarily dioxane). 

Public Meeting 

A virtual public meeting will be held on the application on Thursday, July 16, 2020, beginning at 6:00 PM.  Please note – this meeting is being held for informational purposes only and is not part of the hearing record generated in this matter.Persons wishing to obtain additional information or ask questions about the permit application or draft permit may attend the virtual public information meeting.  Questions on the project, application, and/or draft permit should be submitted in advance of the meeting to allow the applicant and the Department to provide thorough responses.  Questions may be submitted by email to daqpermittinginfo@delaware.gov no later than July 6, 2020.  The public may attend this meeting via either webcast or phone – visit de.gov/dnrecmeetings for connection information to this meeting. 

Public Hearing 

A virtual public hearing will be held on the application and draft permit on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, beginning at 6:00 PM.  The public may attend this virtual hearing via either webcast or phone – visit de.gov/dnrechearings for connection information to this hearing.Please note that live comments will not be accepted during the virtual hearing.  Written comments may be submitted to the Hearing Officer via the online comment form at dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/publichearings/comment-form/, via email to DNRECHearingComments@delaware.go, or via USPS to the below address. The Department will accept public comment through Friday, July 31, 2020.

Lisa A. Vest, Hearing Officer, Office of the Secretary, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901

For additional information on the above matters, including how to connect, and to review this application and draft permit, visit de.gov/dnrecmeetings and de.gov/dnrechearings or contact Tracy Mattson, Division of Air Quality, 100 W Water Street, Suite 6A, Dover, DE 19904, by phone at (302) 739-9402, or by email at daqpermittinginfo@delaware.gov 

Although the deadline has passed for submitted questions ahead of tomorrow's informational meeting, CLNCC would expect that DNREC will address the issues as put forth in the Council's Resolution (read it below.)

Public Comment on the Air Permit will be accepted at the July 21st hearing and in writing through July 31st.

CRODA VIRTUAL Public Meeting 6PM July 16th - Register for tomorrow's meeting by clicking onto the JOIN ONLINE button below.

https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/events/virtual-public-information-meeting-croda-air-quality-construction-permit/
Join OnlineEvent Number: 129 027 7856Password: 4vuPu33Qc7bDial-in Number: 1.408.418.9388

CRODA VIRTUAL Public Hearing 6PM July 21st - Register for Tuesday's meeting by clicking onto the JOIN ONLINE button below.

https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/events/virtual-public-hearing-croda-7-de-admin-code-1102-construction-permit/ 

Join Online 

Event Number: 129 583 8502, Password: i72AmJbb2pQ, Dial-in Number: 1-408-418-9388

NCC Council RESOLUTION NO. 20-154

IN OPPOSITION TO CRODA INC.’S PERMIT APPLICATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO EXPAND PRODUCTION AT CRODA’S ATLAS POINT FACILITY

Introduced by: Mr. Street, Mr. Carter
Date of introduction: July 14, 2020

WHEREAS, Croda, Inc. operates its Atlas Point Facility at Cherry Lane, New Castle, Delaware; and

WHEREAS, Croda is closely situated to densely populated neighborhoods and heavily traveled highways; and

WHEREAS, at the Atlas Point Facility, Croda manufactures surfactants, which are substances that act as binding agents in other products; Croda uses corn-based ethanol to make Ethylene Oxide, which is the chemical needed to create the binding agents; and

WHEREAS, Ethylene Oxide is an extremely flammable gas, is considered to be a human carcinogen, and exposure to the chemical can cause a series of medical problems including skin rashes, breathing problems, and, in severe cases, coma; and

WHEREAS, in its relatively brief history in New Castle, Croda’s activities have been a cause for concern – specifically, Croda has had numerous reported Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (“DNREC”) environmental violations, which have included:

• unpermitted releases of highly flammable Ethylene Oxide, which threatened the health and safety of surrounding neighborhoods and anyone passing by or near the facility, and on at least one occasion was coupled with Croda’s failure to timely report the incident to DNREC and a shutdown of the Delaware Memorial Bridge;
• exceeding non-methane hydrocarbons emissions limits;
• failure to regularly inspect or maintain inspection records for storage areas;
• failure to receive necessary approval of its plans (for stormwater and sediment)before it commenced construction;
•  violations of best management practices related to air pollution;
• improper marking on hazardous waste containers;
• failure to make a timely application for permit renewals;
• failure to monitor or record certain visible emissions; and
• failure to provide the required monitoring of erosion and sediment controls;

WHEREAS, in response to one of Croda’s unpermitted Ethylene Oxide releases, in November, 2018, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration
found that Croda’s plant had “deficient emergency action and response plans,” failed to train employees on how to manage an Ethylene Oxide leak, did not develop procedures for emergency
responders to manage firewater during such a leak, did not activate the emergency alarm system, and also failed to provide employees with respiratory protection; and

WHEREAS, despite the serious concerns identified above, Croda has submitted an application for a permit (APC-2020/0070-CONSTRUCTION (FE)) to install two new tanks at its facility: a 12,000 gallon drumming tank (Blend Drumming Tank C, Emission Unit 2) to existing Blend Tanks A and B at the facility, and a 23,000 gallon storage tank for Atplus Destiny final product; and

WHEREAS, Croda’s Permit Application discloses that, if its application is approved, this will result in an increase in emissions of volatile organic compounds (“VOCs) and hazardous air
pollutants (“HAPs”); specifically, the Permit Application states that the emission increase for the addition of Blend Tank C will be 0.36 ton per year (TPY) of VOCs including 0.17 TPY of hazardous air pollutants (primarily 1,4-dioxane, which the Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency consider as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen); and

WHEREAS, Croda’s Permit Application explains that, although Croda intends to comply with its current VOC emissions limitation, its equipment nonetheless will vent hazardous materials directly into the atmosphere, and that emissions data will not be recorded by a continuous emission monitoring system; and

WHEREAS, given Croda’s history of environmental violations, the proposed Permit Application - which admittedly would increase pollutant emissions, and thereby potentially endanger local residents’ well being - is alarming; and

WHEREAS, given the above, Councilman Street, on behalf of his constituency, requested that DNREC schedule a public hearing regarding Croda’s Permit Application; and

WHEREAS, in his letter to DNREC requesting such a hearing, Councilman Street objected to Croda’s Permit Application based on several grounds, including:

1. Croda’s troubling environmental history, including the November, 2018, Ethylene Oxide leak that led to Croda’s shutdown for almost one year; 

2. Many local residents opposed DNREC’s decision to allow Croda to re-start operations after its most recent Ethylene Oxide release and, based on its history, continue to question Croda’s operations and its attention to safety and concern for residents’ health and well being; consequently, the addition of the proposed new tanks will only compound neighbors’ anger and anxiety about their well being; 

3. Croda’s emergency notifications and procedures continue to be insufficient to ensure the safety of the facility’s neighbors; and 

4. Croda’s operations pose an imminent danger to local residents and all people that use the Delaware Memorial Bridge and nearby roadways.

WHEREAS, in response to Councilman Street’s request, DNREC has scheduled a virtual meeting on July 16, 2020, to provide information only about the project and the Permit Application, with a virtual public hearing on the Permit Application and draft permit to be held on July 21, 2020.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by and for the County Council of New Castle County that County Council hereby opposes Croda Inc.’s Permit Application pending before the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and its related request to expand production at its Atlas Point Facility in New Castle, Delaware.

Adopted by County Council of
New Castle County on: 7/14/20

Meyer Administration Starts 2022 Comprehensive Plan Update Process

Launch of county-wide comprehensive planning process: NCC@2050

[On June 25,  2020], New Castle County begins an important two-year process of developing a new countywide comprehensive plan which will guide growth and development for generations. The plan, entitled, “NCC@2050,” will be a community-driven process that will allow us to strategically shape how we grow and develop as a county. The plan will help guide development and services; shape the communities where we live, work, and play; celebrate our environmental, historical, and cultural assets; and support a robust economy.

“As the years progress, our current lifestyles will undoubtedly change,” County Executive Meyer said. “Transportation methods will evolve, environmental challenges will occur, and the job opportunities of today may change. What NCC@2050 brings is a prime opportunity for our community to be prepared and trained for those careers of the future. That is why I am calling for broad public input from every neighborhood, every industry, and every person to help build a vibrant, resilient, and inclusive future that reflects our community values and aspirations.”

The Department of Land Use will manage the comprehensive planning process and has developed a central website, NCC2050.newcastlede.gov, where residents will be able to participate in community surveys, explore interactive mapping tools, sign up for email updates, learn more about the county’s planning process, and submit photos of their favorite places.   

As part of NCC@2050, a series of virtual public meetings will be held over the next several months to begin a candid conversation with the community. Topics of discussion will include environmental justice, economic development, transportation, housing, as well as other topics that are identified through the online survey.

“Changes, recently witnessed, with technology advances, and better capabilities to engage, collaborate and address issues of the past and the future will provide new and fresh approach to planning for our future communities,” Land Use General Manager Rich Hall said. “Now is the time for all residents to engage in meaningful discussions about how to move New Castle County forward.”

Several other educational components of NCC@2050 include a Youth Planning Board and Planning 101.  The Youth Planning Board is a 10-month program designed to expose young adults, aged 14-22, to civic engagement, planning, and other skills while helping to develop the comprehensive plan.  The deadline to apply for this program is July 3, 2020. Those age 18 and under must have parental consent to apply and participate.  Planning 101 is a series of free online courses developed in partnership with the University of Delaware that discusses why planning matters and helps to explain the planning process. After completing the online courses, participants will receive a Citizen Planner Certificate. 

To learn more about the County’s comprehensive plan, including how you can get involved, please visit NCC2050.newcastlede.gov.

Delete Now-Unlawful Racist Language From Your Deed Or Civic Association Bylaws - Free From NCC Recorder Of Deeds

Attention Civic Associations: From NCC Councilwoman Dee Durham

Erasing the Vestiges of Redlining Language

Systemic racism is a result of decades of discriminatory political, social, and economic restrictions that have been imposed upon African Americans and other racial, ethnic, and religious groups.  Criminal justice, lynching, voter suppression, funding of public education, and other practices have created a deeply embedded underclass of those for whom the American Dream is far less attainable.  One of the deepest roots in this system of racial repression is the practice of “redlining” that started in the mortgage industry during the Great Depression. 

One of the agencies from FDR’s New Deal alphabet soup of government programs, the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC), embarked on a program of “risk mapping” in cities across the United States.  The purpose of these maps was to provide a general guide for which neighborhoods were considered “safe” for the government to invest its money (in the form of government-backed mortgages).  Sound underwriting standards should have had the HOLC looking solely at the income, debt, and other financial characteristics of the people who live in those neighborhoods.  Instead, HOLC created risk maps based on the race/ethnicity/religions of those who lived in the neighborhoods, with the “worst risk” neighborhoods (the Type D neighborhoods) colored red on their maps. 

From their creation in the mid-1930s until 1977, when they were formally outlawed by the Community Reinvestment Act, these redline maps decided who did (and who didn’t) get a mortgage; as banks considered the properties located in the redlined areas to be “un-investable”.  Redlining meant that African Americans and others who were targeted by these maps were excluded from being able to build their family’s wealth on the solid financial foundation that homeownership provides.  Further it excluded them from better schools which served the “safe” neighborhoods, and relegated them to communities with higher environmental health impacts. 

As far as we know, redline maps did not exist for New Castle County.  Instead local bankers used their knowledge of the area, so they wouldn’t grant mortgages on the “wrong side of town” or to the “wrong people”.   In the post-war era of rapid suburban growth, local developers also practiced a type of redlining through deed restrictions that simply prevented minority groups from purchasing homes in certain housing developments.  Since the 1973 passage of §9605(b) of Title 9 of the Delaware Code, such language has been illegal.  However, that law did not require that the deed restrictions that already contained such racist and exclusionary provisions had to be rewritten.  To this day, there are potentially hundreds of older Maintenance Corporations, Condominium, and Civic Associations (collectively known as “Common Interest Communities” or “CICs”) that still contain this racially discriminatory and offensive language in deeds, deed restrictions, and CIC bylaws and governing documents. 

Until recently, the process to remove such language from real estate instruments was complicated and time consuming.  Before 2018, the Code required that a property owner must request that a meeting be held by their CIC organization and 70% of the homeowners in the CIC would have to be present to pass and amend their community by-laws.  As a result, few of these provisions were actually erased from the record. 

Passage of Delaware Senate Bill 243 in September 2018 simplified the process by which property owners and civic associations with deeds or related governing documents that contained racist language can remove those unlawful provisions.  It is estimated that there are more than 1,000 CIC’s in Delaware that might be covered by SB 243.  Homeowners who wish to remove this type of discriminatory language from their community’s deed restrictions or other governing documents now just need to complete this form: https://nccde.org/DocumentCenter/View/27249/Restrictive-Covenant-Redaction-Form and email the completed pdf to the Record of Deeds, michael.kozikowski@newcastlede.gov, or mail a hard copy to:

Office of the Recorder of Deeds 

Louis Redding City/County Building 

800 North French Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 

The Recorder of Deeds will strikeout the prohibited language at no cost. 

If you have any questions about this form or the process, please contact Sharee Cole at 302-395-7721 or sharee.cole@newcastlede.gov in the New Castle County Recorder of Deeds office. 

With thanks to Recorder of Deeds, Michael Kozikowski, for his role in developing Senate Bill 243, and who has been working with New Castle County District 2 Councilwoman Dee Durham to raise awareness about the availability of this option for New Castle County residents and civic associations.

SB 243: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 9 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO UNLAWFUL RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

Support SB 250 -The Renewable Portfolio Standard Act - Virtual Meeting, 10:30-1 June 20th In Wilmington

Come out to support SB 250 and Renewable Energy! as reposted from the Blue Delaware Blog 

Senate Bill 250 is intended to advance sustainable energy goals and initiatives in Delaware and to restore Delaware as a leader in renewable, sustainable energy. The Renewable Portfolio Standard was instituted by the state in 2005, and it cultivates a market for utilities in Delaware to require a set percentage of their retail electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar power and wind each year. These utilities are able to purchase credits from producers who have used renewable energy sources or they can generate electricity from renewable energy sources themselves.  

The newly proposed legislation would require Delaware’s regulated utilities to increase its portfolio standard to 40% by 2035. This goal will be achieved in part by creating incentives for cities and towns to opt-in and invest in building new solar power generating facilities. This section of the legislation will be known as the Community Sustainable Energy Authorities Act that will encourage localities across the First State to create their own fund to develop new solar facilities that will be able to sell Community Solar Renewable Energy Credits and dedicate the revenue generated from them towards lowering utility cost for ratepayers in their communities. 

Blue Delaware joined with 37 other varied organizations, businesses and faith communities to urge the General Assembly leadership and Governor Carney to bring this bill to the floor for consideration in this session of the General Assembly. Here is our letter to Governor Carney, Speaker Schwartzkopf and Senator McBride. 

Dustyn Thompson from the Sierra Club Delaware Chapter tells us that there will be a public comment meeting this Saturday, June 20 from 10:30 – 1:00. It will take place in the main conference room at the Del Tech Wilmington Campus at 300 Orange Street in Wilmington. There is space for roughly 49 people to attend in person. The chairs are six feet apart and you have to answer a bunch of questions before being allowed to enter. For those that can’t make it, or would not like to attend in person, you can join in Zoom. If you’d like to attend and/or offer testimony, you need to email SB250_PublicComment@delaware.gov and James.Berryhill@state.de.us to let them know you want to attend in person and that you would like to speak. You also want to email Mr. Berryhill if you plan on joining the Zoom and would like to speak.  When you do email to register, please provide the following information:

1. The attendee’s full name, address, date of birth, and best contact number.2. The name of the organization that the attendee is representing3. Whether or not the attendee wishes to speak.4. If the attendee wishes to join the meeting virtually or physically.

The Civic League for New Castle County has endorsed this bill and is a signatory of the letter. 

NCC Land Use Virtual Public Meeting On Proposed Heavy Industry Changes - 5PM Wednesday, June 24th

Delaware Chapter of the Sierra Club:

Virtual: Meeting with Land Use on Heavy Industry Changes

5 - 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jun 24th

(Sierra Club RSVP HERE)

For far too long, residents in New Castle, especially along the Route Nine Corridor, have been plagued by air and water pollution due to the effects of heavy industry. 

Last year, due to the passage of the landfill ordinance 19-046, all heavy industry was forced to go through a more extensive process with increased public engagement in order to obtain a permit. 

This year, Ordinance 20-008 was put forward by the lone council member who refused to vote on the landfill ordinance to go back to allowing all Heavy Industry to move forward with very little public engagement. This ordinance, which would take all heavy industry back to a By-Right standing, would strip the council of the important ability to refuse permits from heavy industry applicant. 

The Department of Land Use, at the last planning board meeting, introduced an alternative to 20-008 that would still remove the public hearing through the special use process but included other provisions such as a 500-foot buffer, requiring an environmental impact review, and other disclosures for certain heavy industry applications, and the ability of Council to deny a permit. That alternative was tabled until a meeting could take place to review stakeholder opinions from all sides. 

This is that meeting. Now we have heard that heavy industry representatives are planning to flood this call with opposition to any alternative to 20-008 and demands to return to By-Right. We CANNOT allow that to happen unchecked. 

Join the call to protect impacted communities and demand public engagement and strong environmental protections. Sierra Club will send the meeting links to participants and more!

And from the NCC Department of Land Use ~

Updates on the Heavy Industrial District Virtual Public Meeting

5 - 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jun 24th

(Register with NCC DLU HERE)

The New Castle County Department of Land Use invites you to a virtual meeting to update the public on the Heavy Industrial Zoning District and the environmental protections existing in the Unified Development Code. The discussion will bring focus to environmental concerns, economic growth and aligning best practices in the regulations. The meeting will include time for a question and answer session at the end of the presentations.

New Castle County Department Of Land UseOrganizer of Updates on the Heavy Industrial Zone Virtual Public Meeting 

The Department of Land Use is committed to promoting responsible development throughout New Castle County that is consistent, environmentally-sustainable, and meets the present and future needs of our residents. The Department accomplishes this by regulating planning for all new and existing development in unincorporated New Castle County, fairly enforcing laws governing building codes, zoning codes and property maintenance, and by preserving our unique heritage while simultaneously charting a course for the future.

Also see ~

Where NCC Council shows you some of the details of  Ordinance 20-008 but does not actually link to the text however their LEGISLATION SEARCH page does give you the date of Introduction, 1/14/2020, which you can then search for on their Meeting Agenda, Minutes and Audio page HERE

The link to 20-008 can be found on the NCC Council regular meeting agenda for January 14, 2020 HERE 

Read the Ordinance HERE 

20-008: TO AMEND NEW CASTLE COUNTY CODE CHAPTER 40 (“UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE”), ARTICLE 3 (“USE REGULATIONS”) AND ARTICLE 33 (“DEFINITIONS”) REGARDING INDUSTRIAL USES. Introduced by: Ms. Kilpatrick

NCC: Historic Preservation Virtual Public Meeting - 5PM Monday, June, 8th (RSVP)

NCC Historic Preservation Virtual Public Meeting

The New Castle County Department of Land Use invites you to a virtual public meeting to discuss multiple approaches to historic preservation, including legislation and community-based efforts.

The first part of the meeting will feature Mr. Nicholas Redding, Executive Director of Preservation Maryland, who is a recognized leader in historic preservation approaches. Next, Land Use staff will present an overview of information regarding legislation and the process moving forward. At the conclusion of the presentations, there will be a facilitated question and answer session. 

To register, click here. After clicking on the link, scroll to the bottom left for sign-in information

Also read excerpts from this WDDE article from Larry Nagengast -

Historic preservation battle heats up in New Castle County

Participants in the county’s Historic Preservation Working Group, set up last year under the leadership of County Councilwoman Dee Durham (D-Brandywine West) are drafting ordinances that cover a range of issues – everything from strengthening rules to prevent “demolition by neglect” to recognizing owners who have taken steps to preserve and maintain their historic properties. The first of these proposals, drafted by Councilman David Carter (D-Townsend) following a hearing of the county’s Historic Review Board on the Houston House issue last June, is about a month away from reaching county council for a vote, Durham says. Carter’s proposal would establish new standards for the preservation of historic structures or sites that are located within the area included in a land development or subdivision plan. Other measures – some already introduced and others still in draft form – should receive the full council’s attention later this year, Durham says. “We can never let this happen again,” says Kevin Caneco, a working group participant who has been fighting to preserve the Houston House, located in the Village of Bayberry North, just north of Middletown. “We have to strengthen the code. We’re not going to agree on everything, but we have to do the best we can.” 

........Durham distributed a collection of proposed ordinances, mostly in draft form, for members to review. Some of the drafts prepared by individual council members, primarily Durham and Carter, address their top priorities. While the Land Use Department, which would be responsible for implementing any measures passed by county council, recognizes the importance of historic preservation, it is questioning the need for some of the proposals. In a May 1 email to working group members, Land Use General Manager Richard Hall wrote: “New legislation is needed to some degree to advance historic preservation priorities in the county. However, it seems this recent approach is over-relying on local legislative actions, some of which we think have marginal benefits, or less.” Hall would rather see fewer ordinances and more attention paid to other strategies, including “public-private partnerships, financial resources, community involvement, incentives for preservation, and, yes, strong policies.” While Hall says his department recognizes the importance of historic preservation, the tone of his message suggests that the working group might be trying to do too much too soon. But Durham says that “Land Use has had 20 years to protect historic resources, but I haven’t seen it happen…. Now we’re playing catch up, trying to make up for lost time.” 

Carter sums up the differences between Land Use and the preservation-minded council members this way: “We want mandatory, they want voluntary.” In Carter’s view, “We [the county council] legislate. We write the law. They implement it. It’s not their job to write the law.” Even so, the most comprehensive of the drafts being circulated is a document prepared by the Land Use Department  titled Historic Resources Enhanced Fact Sheet. Durham describes as “an omnibus historic preservation bill” and notes that it proposes multiple changes to the county’s building code and the Unified Development Code, the law that governs land development issues in the county. Durham notes, however, that many of the suggestions in the fact sheet are not as extensive as the recommendations in the ordinances that she and Carter have drafted. “Land Use did write one comprehensive bill,” she says, “but why did that happen? It was because of the working group’s focus on this issue.”.........In one way or another, most of the proposals in the county’s legislative pipeline address aspects of “demolition by neglect,” the practice of developers who acquire properties that include aging structures of historic significance and, rather than preserve them, let them deteriorate to the point where they claim the only reasonable option is to tear them down. The Houston House matter in Bayberry North is not the first occasion in which a developer has sought demolition of a historic structure as part of a plan to build houses, offices or shops on the site.

Click through HERE for more background on the NCC working group for Historic Preservation

New Castle County Historic Preservation Working Group

LWVNCC: Navigating New Castle County's Comp Plan Update ZOOM Program, 1PM May 26th (RSVP)

League of Woman Voters of New Castle County present - 

Navigating New Castle County's Comp Plan Update

The League of Women Voters of New Castle County Land Use/Transportation Committee invites you to its online meeting on May 26, 2020 at 1 pm.  Mike Hoffman from Tarabiscos Grosso LLP to discuss the NCC Comprehensive Development Plan and the Unified Development Code. 

The Land Use Department of New Castle County is gearing up to present its draft Comprehensive Development Plan (Comp Plan) update. By law, the Comp Plan has to be updated every 10 years. 

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED; use the zoom registration link at the bottom of this event. 

Questions this meeting will cover...

• What is the Comp Plan, and how does it relate to the Unified Development Code (UDC) for the County? 

• Word on the street is that our UDC encourages sprawl. Could this be true? If so, what changes can we make to the new Comp Plan to put a stop to that practice? 

• What other changes will we want to support as we review the new Comp Plan update? 

• What are the political realities involved in passing a new Comp Plan update?

We are happy to invite you to a Zoom meeting with the knowledgeable Michael Hoffman, of Tarabicos Grosso, LLP, (law firm of Larry Tarabicos that does a lot of land use work). Mike will join us on Tuesday, May 26th, 1-2:30 pm, via Zoom. His comments will be followed by a question and answer session. 

To register:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtcuirqzoiH9wVQie5A8mFRH7ESsRY2ZZF

CCOBH: NCC Land Use Labyrinth – A Primer For Community Engagement And Participation - 7PM May 21st (RSVP)

You are invited to a Zoom meeting on “Navigating the New Castle County Land Use Labyrinth – A Primer for Community Engagement and Participation Meeting” hosted by CCOBH. 

When: Thursday, May 21, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) 

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/…/tZAqdemgrj8vH9QUIKeRpkPViwPaY3S0H… 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 

Guest Speaker: Dave Carter, New Castle County Council Member 

The meeting will be a comprehensive look at the land use process in New Castle County, a "how-to navigate" guide for community involvement and advocacy, and discussion of potential ways to create more opportunities for public input.

From RJ Miles, VP, CCOBH: 

In the land use process, our primary tool is participation in the process. 

At a time when both the State and the County are working to reduce the community participation role in the process in order to save time, we must take every opportunity to understand and defend the tools we have to help define and shape our community.

NCC Budget Address 5:30PM, Council Meeting 6:30PM Online Tonight; County Operations Update Under COVID-19 Emergency Orders

County Executive Meyer delivers budget address via Facebook Live, proposes over $2m in emergency COVID-19 response funding, policies

Tonight at 5:30 p.m., County Executive Matt Meyer will deliver his Fiscal Year 2020 budget to New Castle County Council via a council-hosted Zoom meeting, as well as through New Castle County’s @Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nccde. 

Please join us this evening on Facebook.com/nccde to watch live.

County Executive will unveil an additional $2 million COVID-19 emergency investment package including: 

• A $1 million emergency COVID-19 recovery supply purchase to buy personal protection equipment, test kits, technology and additional medical supplies to keep first responders, all county employees and county residents safe, healthy and, where possible, able to work.  

• A $500,000 investment in Delaware State Housing Authority’s Emergency COVID-19 Recovery Rental Assistance program.  

• A $500,000 investment for emergency COVID-19 recovery rapid response for those in the greatest need. This investment will supplement the existing efforts of United Way, Delaware Community Foundation, Longwood Foundation and Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement. Rapid response moneys are distributed weekly to organizations to provide goods and services to those with the greatest needs across Delaware. Our funding will provide additional support for New Castle County goods and services.  

• Emergency COVID-19 Recovery County Financial Relief. Relief on certain tax collections, penalties, fees as announced earlier this week.   

LOCATION: www.facebook.com/nccde or https://zoom.us/j/377322142

And NCC Council meets online with two meetings today. View their meetings' agenda HERE. Regular meeting agenda tonight HERE.

Updated: CANCELLED CLNCC Monthly Meeting - With State Rep. Mike Smith - Set For 7PM Tuesday, March 17th In Christiana

Update:

CLNCC has decided to cancel the March meeting with all due caution as the Governor has declared a State of Emergency starting March 13th. Hopefully, we'll be in a better place by April 21st and we'll see you all then!

AGENDA March 2020

MONTHLY MEETING

The Civic League for New Castle County welcomes State Rep. Mike Smith as our featured speaker for March. Mike will be discussing the initiatives he is promoting for the 150th General Assembly including HCR 62 for live broadcast and archiving of all legislative committee hearings and his ideas for improving the state's redistricting process.

We are also pleased to have NCC Councilman David Carter present his proposal for improving the NCC Land Use Process.

The CLNCC engages in discussion and voting on a variety of state legislative initiatives for the purpose of lobbying during this coming last leg of the 150th General Assembly. 

Members are encouraged to bring bills to our attention by attending League meetings or writing to Nancy Willing at president@civicleagueforncc.org.

Will NCCC Approving Over $100K For This Service Tonight When Newark's Costs Almost Nothing?

Reposted from the Delaware Way blog - Newark Pays Almost Nothing For Live Broadcasting And Archiving Meetings. Why Is NCCC Approving Over $100K For This Service Tonight?

                

As New Castle County Council is definitely going forward tonight with a veto override to reinstate their aide's pay raises (see chart below), I have asked that they at least try to keep Council expenditures under control by rejecting the three contracts on agenda today for  live-broadcasting and archiving their meetings and revisiting how to implement their goal.

Check it out HERE for yourself: R20-056; R20-057; and R20-058.

The City of Newark tells me they paid NOTHING for their live-broadcast and archive set up as they had sought and received a $30K plus grant of which over $20K remains (details in my email to council posted below.)

There is simply no justification for our county council to move forward with contracts for over $100K for this service. At that price, I have dubbed this their vanity project.

Here is the email I sent to Council today, delivered under my Civic League for New Castle County President hat.

From Nancy Willing

To:Dave Carter,Nancy Willing,The Civic League for New Castle County
Cc:George Smiley,Dee Durham,Jea Street,David Tackett,Kenneth Woods,Penrose Hollins,Karen Hartley-Nagle,Timothy Sheldon,Janet Kilpatrick,John Cartier,James Bell,Elisa Diller,Nellie Hill,jgravell@newark.de.gov,B. Shotwell

Hi Dave,  

I have been very concerned about the cost to New Castle County residents RE: your plans for implementing Live Broadcast and Archive of council meetings. I had asked you several times if you had looked at how other municipalities and counties were conducting their broadcast and archiving of meetings. I specifically referenced Newark which I knew to be an installed camera which staff turned on and off and a contracted video service platform to live broadcast which was then archived. 

At the February CLNCC meeting you insisted that you had checked and that your numbers were in line with what was being done elsewhere for this service. That conversation is on our audio recording if you wished to refresh your memory, CLNCC Secretary Barry Shotwell can make a CD available to you. 

I obtained some information yesterday from the City of Newark's Communication Dept. via Jamie Gravell. She said Newark wrote a grant and in 2018 or so, was awarded around $31,500 thousand for live-broadcasting set up, training and related expenses. A camera was purchased and installed in the back of the room but later was determined to be too far from members and relocated. The background murals were also relocated to the back of the chamber to provide improved visibility. City residents are very happy with this arrangement.
From these grant funds, Newark had paid for the equipment, training, and installation. Gravell didn't think their platform was expensive (I guessed it to be a few hundred dollars a year) as they conduct the broadcasting through Vimeo. Newark still has well over $20 in reserve from their original grant and will apply it down the road for replacement cameras, etc.. 

Still using the grant, the city recently re-installed the camera in a side angle and added a complimentary camera on the other side of the chamber and out-fitted a second floor room with editing equipment for future use of the material in PDAs etc.. 

I sincerely wish that you would have discovered exactly how much of county tax dollars you could have saved if you had investigated the City of Newark expenditures as recommended. 

I remain shocked at the dollar figures I am seeing in the contracts before council this evening as it amounts to well over $100 thousand dollars in the first year. I would hope council would reject the three contracts on the agenda for today's Finance Committee and Council meeting as this massive outlay cannot be justified. 

Council is poised to override a veto of council pay tonight at what appears to be an extraordinary expense. 

Does Council really want to pile on with an extraordinarily expensive outlay for broadcasting and archiving? 

I hope some tax payer consideration is kept in mind tonight and a different avenue for implementing this service is pursued. 

Nancy
Nancy Willing, President, CLNCC  302-294-1939 

I have copied Ms. Gravell here and Mr. Shotwell in case someone would like to speak directly with them regarding the subjects at hand.

Additional news items:

• Updated: NCC Council Posts March 3rd For March 10, 2020 Meeting Agenda Without Providing Links To Their Costly Live Broadcasting Contracts
• Veto showdown | Kilpatrick believes pay raises for New Castle County Council employees could withstand legal challenge 
• Classified vs Unclassified Employees: Definition 
• Despite Meyer's veto, New Castle County legislative aides expected to see big raises 
• Expert does not see separation of power issue in New Castle County Council staff pay conflict 
• 'A bad use of the public trust': Meyer vetoes proposed pay hike for New Castle County Council staffers; council poised to override him 
• County Executive Matt Meyer Vetos NCCo Council Staff Pay Raises