Planning Board

 ***IMPORTANT NOTICE***

The October 3, 2023 Planning Board Public Hearing has been rescheduled for October 17, 2023 at 7:00pm.
 For more information, please visit the Agenda Center.


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 in accordance with *In accordance with 29 Del. C. Section 10006A.

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                                         

  1. App. 2022-0039-S_Public Hearing Packet
  2. App. 2022-0805-S_Public Hearing Packet
  3. App. 2022-0374-S_Public Hearing Packet
  4. App. 2023-0325-Z_Public Hearing Packet
  5. App. 2023-0326-T_Public Hearing Packet

Public Hearing

  • Held the first Tuesday of each month (Note: dates, times and/or locations of meetings and hearings are subject to change.)
  • Meetings begin at 7 p.m.
  • Public comments are welcome and encouraged

Business Meeting

  • Held the third Tuesday of each month (Note: dates, times and/or locations of meetings and hearings are subject to change.)
  • Meetings begin at 9 a.m.
  • Business meetings are open to the public but there is no public comment on specific applications scheduled for business. There is a public comment period at the end of each business meeting for general comments.

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. For more information on Planning Board public hearings and business meetings, continue below. 

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.

Receive a notification in the mail? Read here about the different applications the Planning Board considers.


Legal Authority

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


Members

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

Annual Reports

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

Planning Board Archives