[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6657923,"mediaKeyId","5065291-c74ff4d15de5103975ffd2c7a9bcb395","parentId",5065291,"title","County council rezones Claymont riverfront to encourage transit‑oriented redevelopment","audioSeconds",3087,"startMs",4073000,"endMs",7160000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065291-c74ff4d15de5103975ffd2c7a9bcb395&start=4073&end=7160","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065291-c74ff4d15de5103975ffd2c7a9bcb395/thumbnail_4073000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6657923/New-Castle-County/Delaware/County-council-rezones-Claymont-riverfront-to-encourage-transitoriented-redevelopment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657923-7c1cd20dbcdbd4dddab9e2739133be7c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997830&Signature=MOT9ploKOQg6G24HQv~9GcbRAP7PzKZFyowBlHLuIeIJ~pbOqVFy~SRKpR4ckjuc89Bn0RhNa7-hucVsJkfZ1Nzkww89IkdmhXqEdjZCOW11Icb8VjXL30AOSUiU6KObfiUJ2YIOwybYxIYKzgV4ScRtrbDQGyfjvP~C9iMAnhRIl9yGc0SbY70zNMjagrruwjQRd61qrsZSm8Q0D7iRIL4WzS2OhGEbKjYXra5GIOuqgdn~iC2OasLkjBuDcH-hl1ca0HGAWzisa08WKDjIBrtx3N2DIgsxIDFLi0WE8csAu81JioutvYLCkrCRPhafWwBztBeUFe1N6YKzSy4uxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Castle County","date","2025-06-24T00:00:00Z","article","New Castle County Council on June 24 approved Ordinance 25‑001 to rezone several parcels in the Claymont area from heavy industrial to commercial regional, a change backers say will enable mixed‑use, transit‑oriented development around the newly built Harris McDowell Transit Center.

The ordinance, presented by Councilman John Cartier, covers an assemblage of parcels bounded by Naamans Creek to the north, the Delaware River to the east, Philadelphia Pike to the west and the I‑95 interchange to the south. The proposed zoning would allow residential, office and retail development and is intended to support riverfront park development and higher density near the transit hub.

Supporters, including Brett Sadler of the Claymont Renaissance Development Corporation, told council the rezoning advances the community‑endorsed North Claymont master plan and helps shift uses away from legacy heavy industry. “Heavy industry is not part of that vision,” Sadler said at the podium, and the board of the Claymont Renaissance Development Corporation “absolutely support this rezoning.”

Council members also spoke in favor. Councilman Paul Carter said the plan meets code and “will create a housing opportunity that has not existed south of the canal,” and Councilman John Cartier described the rezoning as an effort to encourage transit‑oriented development after the state investment in the transit center.

Public commenters and some residents urged caution and asked for environmental safeguards. Robbie Anstead of the Claymont Coalition for Environmental Justice said the area carries a legacy of contamination from industrial operations and argued the county should require an updated environmental review and structured community engagement before changes in land use increase residential exposure. “The environmental risks in the surrounding area carry a legacy of industrial contamination,” Anstead said.

Bernadette Coughlin Walsh, speaking for Messer LLC, which operates an industrial facility in Claymont, urged the council to require future developers to include buffering and design protections to avoid conflicts between new residential occupants and existing, long‑standing industrial uses. “Any future developer of the rezone land must be required to incorporate buffering and other design protections in its plan to avoid negative impacts to existing compliant industrial uses,” Coughlin Walsh said.

County staff and council members said environmental cleanup and site‑specific remediation are handled through state regulators and will be triggered during later development review. David Culver, general manager of the Department of Land Use, told council the rezoning should not affect separate port‑expansion litigation and that DNREC and other agencies have overseen cleanup efforts on parts of the site.

The council recorded a roll‑call vote of 12 in favor and 1 not voting (Councilman Street did not cast a vote). Council members cited the planning board’s recommendation, the county Department of Land Use support and the goal of aligning land use with the transit center investment.

What’s next: Rezoning does not itself authorize specific projects. Future development proposals will return to the county through standard land‑use review, when site‑level environmental and mitigation requirements will be examined and when council will see design and buffering proposals.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the ordinance and public‑comment portions of the June 24 New Castle County Council meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New Castle County - New Castle County Council - Jun 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","New Castle County Council on June 24 approved Ordinance 25‑001 to rezone several parcels in the Claymont area from heavy industrial to commercial regional, a change backers say will enable mixed‑use, transit‑oriented development around the newly built Harris McDowell Transit Center.","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},6657906,"Votes at a glance: June 24 New Castle County Council meeting",95,308000,403000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065291-c74ff4d15de5103975ffd2c7a9bcb395&start=308&end=403","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065291-c74ff4d15de5103975ffd2c7a9bcb395/thumbnail_308000.jpg","/articles/6657906/New-Castle-County/Delaware/Votes-at-a-glance-June-24-New-Castle-County-Council-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657906-319367557fdedcce4cbe61800196c952/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997831&Signature=j2FEFVe8O--ydsBNV2vTBrT~ze2OuHdbS7md7RDliHb3Ns4dgdnyX~2kBngk02KD~8MWIOhDtzvOwKlIBfnxz~TIjuo45k3C8NOdsN5KAEONHq69dYmRlcA9kftGHBsWji0rUpFfbHxDwIGGDEyp-D-mmhjxo7Fwt4l8VKxJc9xN9ZkAzVJ-eRry1wvMLpwLtYzTFzOWNZd-EWV0~ivX8n3z4hepQxs6xATmucr-PoQMjB1P21MCGXbdtx8ct4uDq6EofR2B34H~Qr3qw5XJHQ~Ue13prPIU7YyQ6QwPlN9QIYarmAopcoyTzjRH6m65XGwwW0Za87dD7DZ71TrUyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its June 24 meeting New Castle County Council approved a range of ordinances and resolutions by roll call. This roundup lists the items called and the recorded outcomes in the meeting transcript.

Key approvals (selected):
- Resolution 25‑107 through 25‑110: Consent calendar resolutions including appointments and commendations — approved (roll call: 13 yes).
- Resolution 25‑111: Authorizing filing of HUD federal assistance application under the Housing and Community Development Act — approved (13 yes).
- Resolution 25‑112: Amend procedural rules related to formal correspondence with governmental bodies — approved (12 yes, 1 no).
- Resolution 25‑113: Amend declaration of restrictions for Concord Square Shopping Center (tax parcel note) — approved (13 yes).
- Ordinance 25‑074: Repeal earlier ordinances re: youth employment grant appropriations — approved (13 yes).
- Ordinance 25‑075: Amend grants budget for Absalom Jones Center FY 2026 grant — approved (13 yes).
- Ordinance 25‑076: Amend grants budget for FY 2026 Emergency Solutions Grant (HUD) — approved (12 yes, 1 absent recorded).
- Ordinance 25‑077: Approve FY 2026 Community Development Block Grant appropriation ($2,509,120 + $350,000 program income) — approved (13 yes).
- Ordinance 25‑078: HOME investment partnership program appropriation — approved (13 yes).
- Ordinance 25‑079: Library grants appropriation from state Division of Libraries for multiple branches — approved (13 yes).
- Ordinance 25‑080: Healthy Homes grant appropriation for FY 2026 — approved (13 yes).
- Ordinances 25‑081, 25‑085, 25‑086, 25‑083, 25‑088 and several street‑lighting and library budget ordinances were likewise read by title and approved in the roll calls recorded in the transcript; specific roll‑call tallies are in the meeting record.

Routine items on the consent calendar and the package of grant appropriations were approved as a block when not removed for discussion; the consent calendar vote recorded 13 yes. Several items later in the meeting drew public questions but were approved after staff and council responses.

This roundup does not replace the formal meeting minutes or ordinance text; for full descriptions, financial amounts, and roll‑call records consult the official meeting packet and the transcript of the June 24 council meeting.

Speakers quoted and referenced in this roundup spoke during the consent calendar and ordinance readings.","Council approved a package of resolutions and ordinances on June 24, including grant budget appropriations, administrative pay plan changes, and multiple street‑light and grant items. Below are item IDs, short descriptions, and outcomes as recorded in the roll calls.",{"_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},6657911,"Council approves 372,506‑sq‑ft Plaza at St. George’s Hundred plan amid resident concerns over schools, health care and roads",1129,721000,1850000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065291-c74ff4d15de5103975ffd2c7a9bcb395&start=721&end=1850","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065291-c74ff4d15de5103975ffd2c7a9bcb395/thumbnail_721000.jpg","/articles/6657911/New-Castle-County/Delaware/Council-approves-372506sqft-Plaza-at-St-Georges-Hundred-plan-amid-resident-concerns-over-schools-health-care-and-roads","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657911-c211f8098b1fa19cc93e8fdffc7a588f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997831&Signature=DYugjcGE-dpz8NiglYO8O~2H0tX7TSe4lzY67bofLK2~2iEoY7SRttaELr6lwLyivwu6ESlLZypzuI8tYbww9QynETDYTBbOLFGrvYVXFx6P7oehnJFQygsvoJRCYsLFUt958iAZxmtdevhGDBsEDf522Pji8okQinjQBT-GBYPTPib4n9gCEU~8qUu9LXhkU1u~EdY7SO4LFio912L4MFHtqdeII1dmFIMh6CznGNjG3B4jodF1883kOwoMfvVTkcdZJi4snMpy-wiO8YIp8apl-lXcxJy6kBoSdv5av6uIrn8VCIpbvXON9OpSCfLiWAMvs-qRmhjZpsReBbhu3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","New Castle County Council on June 24 approved Resolution 25‑114, a major land development plan for the Plaza at St. George’s Hundred, a mixed‑use project proposed at the northwest corner of DuPont Parkway and Greylige Road.

The development plan describes a 372,506 square‑foot project including 280 apartment units, roughly 16,900 square feet of retail, a 3,300‑square‑foot restaurant and nearly 9,840 square feet of office/amenity space, together with associated site improvements and a minor subdivision. Councilman Paul Carter, who reviewed the plan in detail, recommended approval and said it meets code and creates a housing opportunity “south of the canal.” Council members John Kaneko and others said the project should be monitored as a potential model for future development in the growth zone.

Several residents from nearby Baker Farm called in and asked detailed questions about traffic studies, anticipated rents, school capacity and access to medical services. Angel Nunez asked whether traffic studies and landscape plans were publicly available; Carter replied that traffic studies and landscape plans are online and offered to meet with residents. Sally Samet and Mohammed Udrisi described difficulty finding primary‑care physicians and specialty care and asked what the county is doing to attract providers; council members pointed to recent work with ChristianaCare and to state responsibility for hospital siting and school assessments.

Council members acknowledged residents’ infrastructure concerns. Councilman Carter noted grants and planning work (including a WILMAPCO grant) aimed at redoing infrastructure in the South of the Canal growth zone. Councilmen Koneko and Hollins said the county can control the pace and approvals of growth and must ensure adequate services before or concurrent with growth.

After public comment the council took a roll call. The final tally on Resolution 25‑114 was 12 yes, 1 no (Councilman Street). The resolution was read by title and placed before council by Councilman Carter.

What’s next: Approval of the plan authorizes the proposed development to proceed through county permitting and site construction processes, subject to required permits and any conditions imposed through subsequent reviews. Residents seeking additional detail on traffic and landscape plans were directed to county materials online and to county staff for follow‑up.

Speakers quoted above spoke during the resolution and public‑comment portions of the June 24 meeting.","Resolution 25‑114 authorizes a major land development plan for a 372,506 sq ft mixed‑use project at DuPont Parkway and Greylige Road; council approved it after public comment from nearby residents about traffic, school capacity and medical access. Vote was 12 yes, 1 no.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6657916,"Council approves $3 million one‑time fire service contingency; companies must apply for funds",1522,7101000,8623000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065291-c74ff4d15de5103975ffd2c7a9bcb395&start=7101&end=8623","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065291-c74ff4d15de5103975ffd2c7a9bcb395/thumbnail_7101000.jpg","/articles/6657916/New-Castle-County/Delaware/Council-approves-3-million-onetime-fire-service-contingency-companies-must-apply-for-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657916-0b04622ab2e56bb6702d34d739ae99bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997831&Signature=crnQi6b~yK2L4QD97AOyYF~PiEUAbYPHuSCcfl9vxSW3gIiLQfDahreoF8Rf3xodfQzB1aGrs6HQiNxfBzDGENlryhE3Q-e-cJEDWkwE1zk8wqxs~flhWmlXXfIueOPbBJEwB3wkE7R8M9~TINXU8ptHXFXZa8n0beWj8PQ0LbRYA~Eg58OGzF3blTcnQUv5iYaVadKT70s1td7WlevOX6OGpleQ8wXHqx8Lfybj8Wu88LVHAA4GHNTFgcn4W7X01~z7IIF1JS-6fT-FYOdQt4JNbr-kTwTOY7CrJA-E~C1Ye8vG~TSISRwbBvn50A72mSFn3fIZ9N-7TuMaOEpPqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","New Castle County Council on June 24 approved Substitute No. 1 to Ordinance 25‑053, a one‑time $3,000,000 appropriation from the general‑fund tax stabilization reserve to help county fire companies cover personnel salary and benefit costs.

The substitute allocates the funds to a competitive, accountable process. Each fire company must execute a memorandum of agreement (Exhibit B to the ordinance), meet reporting requirements and submit a grant funding request to the county. Under the substitute, the office of finance will confirm eligibility and allocations, and council will consider each company’s funding request at a public meeting. The deadline for companies to submit requests after ordinance passage is August 15 (as stated in the substitute’s terms reported at the meeting).

Council members described the appropriation as a stopgap to address critical staffing and financial stress identified in the county’s FACET study of fire services, which found many volunteer units have shifted to paid staffing and that some companies face fiscal strain. The FACET study and subsequent audits were discussed in committee and cited by council members advocating the appropriation.

Council members stressed accountability. Councilman John Cartier (introducing the substitute) described the package as narrowly defined and conditioned on documented expenses for full‑time and part‑time employees. Councilman Smiley said the substitute and the required memorandum addressed his prior concerns and that fire companies would be present at council when individual awards are considered.

Public testimony included Dennis Kodak, chair of the Fire and Ambulance Advisory Board, who said the leadership committee and associations representing the 21 county fire companies had been coordinating proposals and would provide the necessary reporting and transparency.

Vote and implementation: The roll call for the substitute was unanimous (13 yes). Because the appropriation draws on the tax stabilization reserve, adoption required a supermajority; council approved the appropriation and set the administrative process for distribution. Individual grant requests meeting the memorandum’s eligibility requirements will require a simple majority for approval when they come to the council.

Speakers quoted above spoke during the ordinance discussion and public comment portion of the June 24 meeting.","Council adopted Substitute No.1 to Ordinance 25‑053, appropriating $3,000,000 from the general‑fund tax stabilization reserve to assist eligible fire companies with personnel salary and benefit costs. The measure requires a memorandum of agreement, application by Aug. 15 and council approval of individual allocations; vote was unanimous.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6657920,"Council raises county impact fees for first time since 1999 in 12‑1 vote",1041,6054000,7095000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065291-c74ff4d15de5103975ffd2c7a9bcb395&start=6054&end=7095","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065291-c74ff4d15de5103975ffd2c7a9bcb395/thumbnail_6054000.jpg","/articles/6657920/New-Castle-County/Delaware/Council-raises-county-impact-fees-for-first-time-since-1999-in-121-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657920-7b5199854070cd10091e525865c391ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997831&Signature=SgLcfCZqhObemHVq-Jm3pKRdnK0v1f-M8YmrT9aI~MpDMAf98i-ItQ6NXJL1OSj5DpIKmXJE~83cRVYHsKX2MB1SHKzSqm~MI-0MLHH45QLAQH66-mquFZJMleNS01ZhmueOo3~MCBZ4wm9MDl5UIGLArP0gqs9-56BVdaHTv3Zs61kJhcVCWYyTOC0eVGxGx7sXHiYi7C1~CTVXzNxnh8PNxnYMbGCNNkt4f1Iid0SmUTyxfXYLqsHXTlnptVDV~UW3rR~fbq-QFzZ92x0lRCEd5IBqFou4rlRHjjwZ-urAh6p30nMbugidaJN8xz8Q10FVQjVLlBDBW0afMISTPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","New Castle County Council voted 12‑1 on June 24 to adopt Ordinance 25‑045, updating the county’s impact‑fee schedule for the first time since 1999. The ordinance increases developer‑facing impact fees the county charges new development to cover proportionate shares of infrastructure and public‑service costs.

Councilwoman Kendra Durham introduced the ordinance and said the change is intended to align fees with current service costs and to make new development pay its share of the burden for fire, police, parks and other county services. She said the county’s impact fees have not been adjusted in decades and that residents across the county are already paying for service increases through other means.

The ordinance, as presented to council, exempts workforce dwelling units and includes language seeking future study of whether costs for services in higher rural state‑strategy areas differ from other locations; the discussion referenced a Rossi report and the county’s 2050 comprehensive plan.

Debate was robust. Councilman Jay Street opposed the ordinance, saying it raises housing costs on buyers and risks pricing people out of the market. “I can’t support it because developers are not paying the cost. New homeowners are paying the cost,” Street said, adding that he was concerned about affordability and additional cost burdens on buyers.

Supporters said the fee update is a necessary component of broader efforts to guide growth and pay for infrastructure. Councilman Koneko (Kaneko) said the county has not updated fees since 1999 and that other counties have kept pace. Councilman Carter and others noted the fee impact on a typical mortgage would be modest: Councilman Carter referenced published commentary that claims the increase would amount to “less than $600” per home when amortized over a 30‑year mortgage.

After public comment and further council remarks, the clerk called roll. The final vote was 12 yes, 1 no (Councilman Street). Council members who voted yes cited the planning department and department of land use recommendations, the need to fund firefighting, paramedic and park services, and the expectation that updated fees will reduce the county’s reliance on other revenue sources.

What the ordinance does and next steps: The ordinance updates the unified development code (UDC) Article 14 on impact fees and directs the Department of Land Use to implement the new fee schedule. It also preserves an exemption for specified workforce dwelling units and asks staff to study certain rural cost differences during their next fee study. Implementation details and fee amounts were included in the ordinance and supporting materials available to council; the county executive will sign the ordinance for it to become effective and for the finance and billing cycle to reflect the changes.

Speakers quoted above spoke during the June 24 meeting’s ordinance and public‑comment discussions.","Council approved Ordinance 25‑045 updating New Castle County impact fees after debate over housing affordability and infrastructure funding. The measure passed 12‑1; supporters said fees were long overdue and fund police, fire and parks; opponents warned it would raise homeownership costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County council rezones Claymont riverfront to encourage transit‑oriented redevelopment

Votes at a glance: June 24 New Castle County Council meeting

Council approves 372,506‑sq‑ft Plaza at St. George’s Hundred plan amid resident concerns over schools, health care and roads

Council approves $3 million one‑time fire service contingency; companies must apply for funds

Council raises county impact fees for first time since 1999 in 12‑1 vote