New Castle County Land Use Planning Follow-Up Eileen Fogarty, General Manager Department of Land Use
Purpose of This Meeting In January, we discussed the preliminary results of an ongoing: Assessment of the County s Comprehensive and Community Planning Activities Review of the Department s Programs, Regulations and Processes Today we will update Council on our progress and what we ve heard from the business and residential communities as well as plans and solutions for our future 2
Challenges No Clear Implementation Strategy, Piecemeal Development Reactive Planning, Development Review Process Foreclose Future Economic Development Opportunities Need for an Action Plan to: Revitalize Corridors Strengthen Communities Support/Attract New Businesses Fragmented Transportation Approach UDC Time-Consuming, Costly 3 Kirkwood Highway Delaware City Refinery
Opportunities Balanced Approach to the Future/Strategies Reenforce Each Other Neighborhood Protection & Enhancement Vibrant Community Places for Youth and Families Retain and Attract Jobs & Businesses Revitalized Corridors with Services Transportation Choices, Reducing Congestion Housing Choices for Everyone Christiana Mall 4 Main Street Mall
Efforts Underway Since January Land Use Interviews with Diverse Groups of Civic, Developers, and Businesses Groups Economic Development Focus Groups Presentations & Community Meetings Enhanced Projects Reflecting Community Values Rendering of New WAWA 5
Development Review Process Immediate Actions Coordinate With Reviewing Agencies (Fire, DelDOT, PLUS) to Expedite Process Architectural Review in Advance of Recordation Early Courtesy Inspections for Homeowners & Commercial Projects Early Courtesy Plan Review Technology Multiple Methods for Submission Testing Virtual Inspection Field Notebooks for Instant Submission Exit Interviews Cabela s Nemours Children s Hospital FedEX 6
Integration of County, State & Chamber Efforts Dept of LU Time & Motion Study, Comprehensive Assessment of Planning & Development Review Process NCC Economic Development Study DelDOT Assessment of State/County Development Review Process Chamber of Commerce One Stop Shop & Transportation Planning for NCC & DelDOT 7
What We Have Heard All Clear Vision & Expectations for Future Higher Quality and Well Designed Projects that Contribute to the Community Good Jobs & Thriving Businesses Reduction in Traffic Congestion Built Environment Should Reflect Our Uniqueness 8
What We Have Heard Developers Clarity Predictability & Shortened Time Reduced Risk & Cost Transportation Process a Frustration Too Many Bites at the Apple Greater Flexibility to Design Better Projects Better Coordination Between Agencies 9
What We Have Heard Civics Early Input in the Process UDC Does Not Address Distinctions in Location Projects Should Include Amenities & Public Benefits Active Places for Youths and Families Need to Balance Fundamental Issues of Protecting Communities & Economic Development 10
From all of my work thus far, we are a very diverse county with many opinions and views. I have found; however, that there is common interest and support for working toward a bright future for New Castle County. Many people are ready and willing to help. All interests need to be involved in the process.
Major Themes Moving Forward Seeking Diverse Input, Consensus, Implementing Change and Developing Midrange & Longer Term Action Plans Citizens & Business Guide to Development Process Pilot Projects and Action Plans for Corridors Supporting Revitalization and Economic Investment Integrated and Streamlined Development Process while Achieving Desired Outcomes Transportation Solutions with DelDOT Building Vital Communities 12 Adaptive Reuse Rt. 72 Greenville Center
Revitalization & Economic Investments Integration with land use process shovel ready Economic Development & Focus Groups Meetings with Corporations for Future Expansion Meetings with Businesses & Union Representatives Revise Redevelopment Code to Maximize Effectiveness Identify Economic Districts for Overlay Zones to Incentivize Jobs Develop, Inventory and Map of Major Industrial Economic Development Sites and Corridors 13
Action Plans and Demonstration Plans Establish a Community Strategic Planning Division to Prepare & Implement Small Area and Community Plans. Scenic Byways Prototype Revitalization/Redevelopment Plans Greenville - Underway Red Clay Centreville Route 9 Kirkwood Highway Claymont Concord Pike Opportunities for Mixed Use with Activity Centers Newark/273 Corridor 14 Claymont
Building Active Vital Communities Workforce/Affordable Housing Draft Workforce Housing Strategy to Ensure All Residents Have Equal Access to Housing. Prototype Neighborhood Conservation Plan - Provide Direction for Enhancing Existing Neighborhoods. Placemaking Principles & Guidelines to Incentivize Active Centers for Residential, Commercial, & Mixed Use Projects. Identify Principles & Standards to Ensure that New Projects Enhance/Contribute to the Community. Celebrate Our Uniqueness 15
Integrating Land Use with Transportation Bi-Monthly Meetings with DelDOT Work to Integrate Effective Transportation Solutions to Reduce Congestion & Improve TIS Process Transportation Improvement District south of the canal DelDOT to Expedite Minor Plan Revisions Equity for Projects 16 Myrtle Avenue
Integrating Land Use with Transportation Wilmapco $620,000 Transportation Grant Myrtle Avenue Red Clay Valley Scenic Byway Tri-State Mall TOD Alternative Approaches to Transportation Naaman s Road Waterfront Extension (future) 17 Myrtle Avenue
Integrated and Streamlined Development Review Process Improve Process to be Timely, Efficient, and Effective Establish a Development Review Committee of County and State Reviewers to Work on Major Projects at the Onset Assign a Development Facilitator and Project Manager Through the Entire Process Establish Effective Concept Review with Multi-Agency Collaboration Identify Major Issues Early Fewer Bites at the Apple Encourage Community Input to Identify Issues at Early Stage 18 Finished Cabelas
Integrated and Streamlined Development Review Process Shorten Time and Reduce Costs Minor and Resubdivisions Plans Underway Streamline Approval of Plans with Minor Changes, Corrections, or Adjustments Work with Outside Review Agencies to Shorten Review Time Develop Criteria to Approve Administratively, i.e. no New Gross Floor Area Establish Fast Track/Green Light Review and Approval Process for Selected, High Priority Economic Development Projects. All Parties Would Be Committed to Meet Agreedupon Project Deadlines. Less Upfront Investment Landscaping/Bonds Campus Overlay Airport
Integrated and Streamlined Development Review Process Shorten Time and Reduce Costs Administrative Variances For Minor Changes Reducing Referrals to the Board of Adjustment. Expedite Land Development Improvement Agreements (LDIA), Maintenance Declarations and Cross-Access Agreements Explore One-Stop-Shop Process with State & Local Representatives. 20
Integrated and Streamlined Development Review Process Shorten Time and Reduce Costs Finalize Technology Upgrades Implement State-of-the-Art, Real Time Technology Systems for the Land Use Department with Greater Inter-Agency Coordination and Faster Reviews and Inspections: Makes Process a One-Stop Shared Data With all Review Agencies Concurrent Reviews Track Projects from Inception to Completion 21
Where We Need to Go Revise the Unified Development Code UDC is 15 Years Old Future Code should incentivize desired economic development while managing change in ways which add value to the Community. Collaborative Document reflecting diverse input Clear vision & expectations for future Appropriate zoning categories for diverse County Incentives to capture growth sectors Incentives & guidelines to ensure projects enhance the community Transparent predictable & efficient process Celebrate our Identity
Looking Forward Continue in-house administrative changes to improve processes and planning outcomes. With Council, outreach, discussion and workshops with community groups and development organizations. Continue review, development and prioritization of intermediate term action steps. Prepare two-year implementation program and schedule, with administrative and legislative recommendations. Action Agenda: Planning, Plan Implementation, Review and Approval Processes Administrative Actions Internal & External Legislative Actions Intermediate Comprehensive
Discussion 24