Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, Lt. Gov. John Carney Unveil “Livable Delaware” Agenda To Control Growth
Dover – Governor Ruth Ann Minner and Lt. Governor John Carney unveiled their plan titled “Livable Delaware” – a comprehensive strategy to direct growth to areas where the state, county and local governments are most prepared for new development in terms of infrastructure, services and thoughtful planning.
The Livable Delaware strategy includes proposals for graduated impact fees to direct development into designated growth zones, beefing up of local comprehensive plans, annexation standards, improvements in the planning process, and a commitment of state agencies in a number of ways to more intelligent growth goals.
“All taxpayers pay a price for sprawl because of the state’s huge investment in roads, schools, and other infrastructure,” Gov. Minner said. “When growth is haphazard, infrastructure works inefficiently. In short, sprawl is ugly, it is costly, it is hurting Delaware, and it is time for us all to take it on.”
Lt. Gov. John Carney added, “The biggest challenge in creating a more Livable Delaware is to direct new growth and development into our already existing cities and towns and prevent unwanted development in rural areas without adequate infrastructure. A more effective brownfields program will enable us to achieve this goal by redeveloping existing commercial sites.”
The 2001 Livable Delaware Agenda includes:
1. Several pieces of proposed legislation, including:
a. Graduated impact fees based on state investment strategies;
b. Comprehensive plan implementation and annexation standards;
c. Improving the Land Use Planning Act (LUPA) Process;
d. Changing the open space formula to speed acquisition and provide funds for stewardship;
2. Executive Order No. 14. It directs state agencies to implement the 1999 state spending strategies developed under “Shaping Delaware’s Future” that provide the foundation for the Livable Delaware agenda.
3. New Governor’s Advisory Council on Planning Coordination. This council will provide meaningful input from local governments, counties, homebuilders, the agricultural community, civic associations and the co-chairs of the Bond Bill Committee. The Council will be charged with the development of a state impact fee structure, “livability indicators” to measure progress toward Livable Delaware goals, state annexation standards, and will be responsible for the facilitation of dispute resolution among levels of government.
4. In addition, state agencies will review the ability to strengthen and change related policies to support Livable Delaware goals. Examples include:
· Promote Transfer of Development Rights to allow farmers to sell/send development rights to builders in designated growth zones;
· Streamline Brownfields program and provide improved incentives for redevelopment, including matching grants of up to $50,000 for cleanup;
· Improve DelDOT subdivision review to align it with Livable Delaware goals;
· Tap Environmental Incentives Fund, currently at $2 million, to promote energy efficiency, clean energy technologies and “green” building design;
· Target Housing Fund to provide incentives for housing purchases within designated growth zones;
· Revise septic/well program to provide incentives to build on sewer systems and deter development in “rural” areas.
New Castle County President Chris Coons said, “After hearing the Governor’s announcement of her agenda today, I am excited to get working with the rest of New Castle County government to make sure that we do our part. New Castle County Council has already been discussing ways that we can make real progress in the areas of brownfields redevelopment, open space and farmland preservation in the coming year.”
“My constituents in the Bear/Newark area are very concerned about how sprawl and traffic congestion affect their daily lives.” said State Sen. Anthony J. DeLuca (D-Varlano). “I am glad Gov. Minner recognizes that it will take cooperation and commitment, not just from agencies like DelDOT, but also our local governments, to address these problems.”
“The Livable Delaware agenda sets the course for our future, and helps assure that the residents of Delaware are not adversely impacted by our growth,” said Rep. Shirley A. Price (D-Millville).
Rep. Richard C. Cathcart (R-Middletown) who represents one of the fastest growing areas in Delaware, said, "The state of Delaware must aggressively pursue the control of suburban sprawl before our valuable resources are gone forever. New standards for comprehensive planning, annexation and the state's infrastructure investment must be implemented now."
Copies of the Governor’s remarks and the Livable Delaware agenda are available on Gov. Minner’s web site at www.state.de.us/governor. For more information, see the Livable Delaware web site at www.state.de.us/planning/livedel/index.htm.
