Planning Board

Information Regarding Planning Board Public Hearings: 

The Planning Board has resumed in-person public hearings in the New Castle Room of the Government Center building located at 87 Reads Way, New Castle, DE 19720. Public hearings may also be attended as a virtual meeting utilizing Zoom Webinar (see below). The Board will accept public testimony or comments both in person and via Zoom. Business meetings are also held at the Government Center and may be attended as a virtual meeting utilizing Zoom Webinar.

The appropriate Zoom weblink, call-in number(s) and webinar ID number for all hearings may be found approximately two (2) business days prior to the scheduled hearing date near the top of the appropriate meeting *agenda.   

*NOTE: Up-to-date public hearing agendas including Zoom meeting log-in information are available in our Agenda Center or through the Scheduled Meeting links below.

Zoom Help CenterAdditional information regarding Virtual Public Meetings may be found at: Virtual Meetings-Land-Use

Please view our Planning Board Virtual Business Meeting Information Guide in advance of any virtual business meeting of interest.

Note for Applicants only: 
Applicants must submit presentation materials electronically to the Department of Land Use no less than five (5) business days prior to the scheduled public hearing. Please email us with any questions.

Related Documents and Mailing Packets                                         

Public Hearing

  • First Tuesday of the month (Note: dates, times and/or locations of meetings and hearings are subject to change.)
  • Meetings start at 7 p.m.
  • *Public comments welcome
  • *In accordance with 29 Del. C. Section 10006A, Public Hearings will be held as virtual meetings utilizing Zoom Webinar. Unless otherwise specified, the New Castle Room of the Government Center building located at 87 Reads Way will be accessible during scheduled hearing times for members of the public to attend in-person. The Board will accept public testimony or comments both in person and via Zoom. The appropriate weblink, call-in number(s) and webinar ID number for all hearings may be found approximately two (2) business days prior to the scheduled hearing date at the top of the appropriate meeting agenda. Individuals needing reasonable accommodations according to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please call (302) 395-5400 (DRS, 1-800-232-5460) at least (5) business days before the meeting/hearing.

Business Meeting

  • Third Tuesday of the month (Note: dates, times and/or locations of meetings and hearings are subject to change.)
  • Meetings start at 9 a.m.
  • *Open to the public but there is no public comment period at business meetings
  • *In accordance with 29 Del. C. Section 10006A, Public Hearings will be held as virtual meetings utilizing Zoom Webinar. The New Castle Room of the Government Center building located at 87 Reads Way will be accessible during scheduled business meeting times for members of the public to attend in-person. The appropriate weblink, call-in number(s) and webinar ID number for all hearings may be found approximately two (2) business days prior to the scheduled hearing date at the top of the appropriate meeting agenda. Individuals needing reasonable accommodations according to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please call (302) 395-5400 (DRS, 1-800-232-5460) at least (5) business days before the meeting/hearing.

Members

  • Karen Peterson, Chairperson
  • Leone Cahill-Krout
  • Jonathan Cochran
  • Joseph Daigle
  • Kiana Drake
  • Leah Gray
  • Robert Snowden
  • Ruth Visvardis
  • One vacancy


Board Responsibilities

The New Castle County Planning Board is a nine 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 are also discussed at a public hearing and testimony is taken before the board acts to render a decision.


Legal Authority

Standards by which the Planning Board makes recommendations and decisions may be found in the following sections of the Unified Development Code:

  • Amendments – 40.31.420
  • Deed Restriction Change Applicability and Procedures – 40.31.130
  • Subdivision Appeals – 40.31.512
  • Subdivision Variances – 40.31.452
  • Zoning Map Amendments – 40.31.410

Annual Reports

  1. 2021 Planning Board Annual Report
  2. 2020 Planning Board Annual Report
  3. 2019 Planning Board Annual Report

Planning Board Archives