Planning Board

The New Castle County Planning Board is a 9-member public board, mandated by State law, that is responsible for reviewing proposed changes to zoning, subdivision regulations, deed restrictions and the Comprehensive Development Plan.  Deed Restriction Changes refer only to those deed restrictions to which New Castle County is a party or a beneficiary.  This does not include community deed restrictions.  Following review and a public hearing, the Board issues recommendations on these proposals which are provided to County Council prior to their taking action.
 
The Planning Board is also tasked with rendering a final decision on subdivision variances and appeals of Land Use Department interpretations of subdivision regulations.  These, too, are discussed at a public hearing and testimony taken, before the Board acts to render a decision.

Planning Board meetings are usually held the first Tuesday of the month in the James Gilliam Building, 77 Reads Way.  Agendas are advertised in the Saturday News Journal, at least 10 business days before the hearing and are displayed on the County web site.

 

Planning Board Business meetings are generally held the 3rd Tuesday of the month, at 9 a.m. at the NCC Government Center, 87 Reads Way.

 

In the event of inclement weather, information regarding the New Castle County government schedule is posted on the main County page at www.nccde.org and is provided to local radio stations.  Should there be a delayed opening that impacts the Business Meeting, the meeting will be held 1/2 hour after the building is open.

Staff contact for the Planning Board is Ken Bieri.  If you wish to contact the Planning Board, you may 1.) email your comments or questions to Land Use, 2.) contact us via regular mail addressed to: Planning Board, NCC Government Center, 87 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720, or 3.) you may call us at 395-5400.

Standards by which the Planning Board makes recommendations and decisions may be found in the following sections of the Unified Development Code:
Zoning Map Amendments – 40.31.410
Amendments – 40.31.420
Subdivision Variances – 40.31.452
Subdivision Appeals – 40.31.512
Deed Restriction Change Applicability and Procedures – 40.31.130