NEW CASTLE – New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer was honored by the American Planning Association’s Delaware Chapter for his role in protecting water quality, limiting rural sprawl, and dedication to planning sustainable communities. The Distinguished Leadership Award for an Elected or Appointed Official is given annually by APADE.
New Castle County Executive Matthew Meyer was recognized for the County’s efforts in protecting water quality, limiting rural sprawl, and focused planning for how communities sustainably grow. The APA also recognized legislative efforts which limits polluting sprawl on individual septic systems in major subdivisions and for the restoration of a Comprehensive Planning Unit which had been dormant for nearly 20 years.
“I am honored to be recognized by the Delaware’s Chapter of the American Planning Association for our administration’s continued work on smart development, protecting our water and open space,” said County Executive Meyer. “It’s through the hard work and leadership of Rich Hall (General Manager Land Use) and Tracy Surles (General Manager Public Works), that we are able to move our GreenNCC agenda forward, to manage a complex process like our Comp2050 plan, and promote continued sustainable growth throughout our County.”
“We’re pleased to recognize County Executive Meyer and his administration’s hard work on smart growth and environmental protection cornerstones of his administration,” said Josh Thomas of the Delaware Chapter of American Planning Association. “Through Meyer’s leadership, New Castle County has worked tirelessly to increase public engagement about comprehensive planning and its use as a tool for natural resource protection. The County’s work on taking steps to direct growth to areas with proper infrastructure, including sewer, and are conserving farmlands, forests, and wetlands were also key to the team earning this well-deserved recognition.”
“County Executive Meyer’s leadership and advocacy for prioritizing nonmotorized transportation in New Castle County to make bicycling a more safe and convenient choice for transportation and recreation made him a clear choice for this selection,” said Mike Fortner, a past APADE winner. “Key accomplishments include the adoption of the New Castle County Bicycle Plan, as well as advocacy for planning a connector trail form the James Hall Trail in Newark to the Mike Castle Trail along the Delaware Canal.”