[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6666414,"mediaKeyId","2333213-7cbe531e0fac4497f1355ae30c3d3026","parentId",2333213,"title","Canal Overlook plan proposes 108 homes, walking trail connection to C&D Canal; traffic, hunting and Corps of Engineers adjacency raised","audioSeconds",1666,"startMs",973060,"endMs",2639150,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333213-7cbe531e0fac4497f1355ae30c3d3026&start=973&end=2639","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333213-7cbe531e0fac4497f1355ae30c3d3026/thumbnail_973060.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6666414/New-Castle-County/Delaware/Canal-Overlook-plan-proposes-108-homes-walking-trail-connection-to-CD-Canal-traffic-hunting-and-Corps-of-Engineers-adjacency-raised","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666414-ff3daeefcac6cb62e945307fdec8b35c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155260&Signature=lN14VLfGuAU2gDVn78zZeXhBezCfTta15k6A1hb-x8xWMFUkUvK1Ad8gVzhFV8vqVYcCaumiu9G6WPKJwVV3ehOGEW8Rgqq15h3D9cDzx0hLxzjY6M29aBdZ0VuaFwwa8C86XISQ2FRssKTrHBpP7DVGh4WUTxEDB7D3Tzhni8AP7lZ6BnY5GZZugOc7KwGaXYgfjeMDOZDz1oVOED1j57LL3O4i~juBbTUebqJDKsPpIimOVqlRxwxOK12cDIQQQXMthqVai00PkClbVYU0HHezpCcHWzXBAlOYsKD2F7hy3xbUr87IgH18J~pQcvjXoyfGeokyhGQBgLGWqPcoCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Castle County","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","Developers presented the Canal Overlook major land development plan for an 83‑acre parcel near the C&D Canal that would subdivide the site into 108 single‑family lots using the county’s open‑space subdivision option, New Castle County officials said at the Land Use Committee meeting.

Applicant representative Sean Tucker said the plan, consistent with the property’s S (suburban) zoning, would provide roughly 55% open space where the county code requires 50%. The proposal averages about 1.3 units per acre. Tucker said the application dates to 2021 and is currently scheduled for a committee vote next week.

The project team presented a landscaping and reforestation plan. Landscape architect Gary Burcham said the plan includes street trees, an extensive buffer yard using dense evergreen plant units, and reforestation areas totaling hundreds of canopy tree whips planted at 300 per acre. He described site planting totals including hundreds of street and interior trees, buffer trees, understory trees and shrubs, and dense planting around stormwater features.

Council members focused their questions on traffic safety and coordination: Councilman Carter asked whether traffic calming beyond a required crosswalk would be included. Tucker said the site passed the traffic impact study and that DelDOT required a crosswalk across Coxneck Road; following a call with the DelDOT secretary, the applicant committed to adding flashing signals at the crosswalk as part of the entrance plan to calm traffic.

Council members also asked about coordination with Southern Elementary and the school district to ensure phasing and peak‑hour impacts are considered; Tucker said the traffic study analyzed AM and PM hours and included school start times and that the traffic engineer will attend the next meeting to address remaining questions.

Members raised concerns about public access, the adjacent walking trail and potential parking at the community entrance that could be used to access the Mike Castle Trail; Tucker said roads would be dedicated but the trail passing through the community would remain private and subject to the maintenance corporation’s rules. He said the developer offered an access easement to nearby Barb’s Farm homeowners to avoid forcing them to drive elsewhere to reach the trail.

Council members also pressed the applicant to confirm environmental coordination. Councilman Carter asked whether the Division of Fish & Wildlife and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had been consulted about adjacent hunting lands and possible future Corps dredge‑disposal activity; Tucker said DNREC and the PLUS review would have given those agencies a chance to comment and he would follow up to provide any comment records.

Tucker said the county department reviewed and signed off on the plan’s code compliance; the applicant noted DelDOT issued a letter of no objection and the State Fire Marshal has approved the plan. There was no public comment during the committee discussion. The committee did not take a formal vote on Canal Overlook at this meeting and Tucker said traffic and technical consultants will be present next week when the item is scheduled for a vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New Castle County - Land Use Committee - Feb 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Developers presented the Canal Overlook major land development plan for an 83‑acre parcel near the C&D Canal that would subdivide the site into 108 single‑family lots using the county’s open‑space subdivision option, New Castle County officials said at the Land Use Committee meeting.","taxTitle","New Castle County, Delaware","taxId",12637,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6666418,"Developers outline 19‑lot Blue Ball Farm Estates with extensive open space in New Castle County",846,34499,880870,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333213-7cbe531e0fac4497f1355ae30c3d3026&start=34&end=880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333213-7cbe531e0fac4497f1355ae30c3d3026/thumbnail_34499.jpg","/articles/6666418/New-Castle-County/Delaware/Developers-outline-19lot-Blue-Ball-Farm-Estates-with-extensive-open-space-in-New-Castle-County","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666418-ca1c0935067a4fa1e95b76f3c1c995ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155260&Signature=InTfNBARZRlsvw7gG15Ioypp2zBvkkSsFXP7PdYlgYrV8206Divbaw5YsHDCg0crFnEy4163uDU9sku8ABa6PFSC-uw~v9T36c4ZVsADHMs1b5pv6yk2QSagka5XQAz63HaqWW~hlYKmBxFiS9KTJWVyGsVwXxGSrg8ESJ-iQ5i7SOX1GKfyACM5nqmuVkI7dqfh9kR~l0hea6e4hl5WLNR-X1wWWK7NF7Vq8l~ZlNG~zt6-KvWDS3ea9Cxsw9u4FFEffqOYVrGZ4v7oP3SSKNWAYy9tm1gJCU9GdGD2xPEaYcoOacV~pxZ2eF~UVIm8WkuiKVULguJvKHYWta~5GQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Developers presented a major land development plan for Blue Ball Farm Estates in Christiana Hundred that would create 19 single‑family lots on roughly 56 acres, New Castle County officials said at the Land Use Committee meeting.

The proposal, presented by applicant representative Sean Tucker, would cluster 19 homes at a density of about one unit per three acres under the site’s SA (suburban estate) zoning and preserve approximately 34 acres — about 60% of the site — as permanent open space, Tucker said. The applicant said about 25% open space is the code minimum for similar projects, and environmental constraints on the property increased the preserved area.

The plan also carves off a roughly 10.5‑acre parcel that is not part of the application. Tucker said the carved‑off parcel contains existing structures; the team performed a cultural resource survey and shared the study with the Historic Review Board to document the buildings’ condition.

Landscape architect Gary Burcham said the landscaping plan complies with the Unified Development Code’s landscaping and environmental requirements. He told the committee the plan includes about 20 street trees along Kirk Road, 80 large canopy trees and 34 small trees distributed throughout the development, and 468 small trees proposed for RBA reforestation areas along streams. Specimen tree replacement calls for 43 three‑inch caliper canopy trees and an additional on‑lot planting requirement of two plant units per lot, Burcham said.

Council members asked procedural and technical questions during the presentation. Councilman Carter asked whether the homes would use septic systems and wells; Tucker said SC zoning precludes sewer under the current code and confirmed the development would be on well and septic. Councilman Cartier asked whether concept elevations had been prepared; Tucker said no builder has been selected and elevations are not yet available but will be shared when they are.

There was no public comment and the committee did not take a formal vote on the Blue Ball Farm Estates plan during this meeting. Tucker said the department completed its review and had signed off on the plan’s code compliance before the presentation.

The developers and staff offered to follow up with council members on any outstanding details as the plan advances through the county review process.","Developers presented a major land development plan for Blue Ball Farm Estates in Christiana Hundred proposing 19 single‑family lots on roughly 56 acres with about 60% preserved as open space; no vote was taken at the Land Use Committee meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6666408,"Land Use Committee approves telecommuting agreement for legislative assistant in District 12",45,2652090,2697460,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2333213-7cbe531e0fac4497f1355ae30c3d3026&start=2652&end=2697","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2333213-7cbe531e0fac4497f1355ae30c3d3026/thumbnail_2652090.jpg","/articles/6666408/New-Castle-County/Delaware/Land-Use-Committee-approves-telecommuting-agreement-for-legislative-assistant-in-District-12","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666408-bda88292d41928fce386612c46409368/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155260&Signature=Gb-OROe6oB7kG4WYEgGIb0fJTpw3QSisAtiW371Lawly0rIiM797l64HdahaENywOQOfEsS6aTJMPXY-9gRs9jeM~o5vP4tb5RAyCScldAOU7nx8Webi6LsW4Mq2SpFAKLunCzuxKrCPum2YouBlMCyiiAayCwx8KwZOxmjDRoGpYtsGA~TsKcMvlUh~L02UMA0yQbollSuMekS~u9g0~JFLQT1PVdWkMBL2OAh3rJBVluYI9MafUYdMJNJ7kkNOzKxwO-YKGiFZGlK562ltqp3ZV6RMEktLBYD~LHXI1zXYu0y4-6Hz53qJ18pqDqA5qcn3ICD4DXIqfGzrxhYofw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Castle County Land Use Committee approved a telecommuting agreement for a legislative assistant assigned to District 12, the committee said.

Councilman Koneko introduced a request for a telecommuting agreement so his legislative assistant, Kieran Weicker, may work remotely Wednesday through Friday. The committee moved and seconded the motion and approved it by voice vote; there was no recorded public comment and no opposition was announced.

The item was procedural and the committee did not provide further conditions during the meeting. The committee then adjourned.","The committee approved a telecommuting agreement allowing a legislative assistant to work three days a week remotely; the motion passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Canal Overlook plan proposes 108 homes, walking trail connection to C&D Canal; traffic, hunting and Corps of Engineers adjacency raised

Developers outline 19‑lot Blue Ball Farm Estates with extensive open space in New Castle County

Land Use Committee approves telecommuting agreement for legislative assistant in District 12