Legislative Program

Section V: Land Use and Infrastructure

The New Castle County Chamber has noted with concern an increasing legislative trend in Dover toward centralizing land use authority at the State level and reducing the discretion that counties and municipalities can exercise where such decisions are concerned. The Chamber supports protecting our natural and environmental resources but does not support the adoption of statewide standards and/or designations that result in mandates for local regulatory action without a full and open process.

The Chamber strongly believes that land use decisions should occur at the local level with the appropriate coordination with State government. In the instances where the State does find itself involved in land-use, the New Castle County Chamber urges policies that strike a balance between ensuring the economic health of the State and the quality of life of Delaware citizens. State agencies and departments should operate with policies and procedures that recognize the importance of this balance. Also, the County Chamber believes that individual private property rights must be preserved. To that end, the County Chamber opposes legislation or regulations that erode private property rights or constitute a taking. Additionally, the Chamber believes that land-use applications should conform to the laws, regulations, and requirements existing at the time of its submission and opposes any State efforts to remove that protection or would create uncertainty in the land development process.

In order to position our state for growth and to compete in the 21st Century global economy, Delaware must improve its infrastructure. Investment in roads, bridges and mass transit will prove critical to DelawareÕs prosperity in coming decades.

1) Transportation Funding

In order to work toward closing the large structural shortfall in the Transportation Trust Fund, capital funds should be directed solely for capital purposes.

2) Intergovernmental Coordination

In January of 2010, Governor Markell announced an initiative to create efficiencies and predictability in the approval process between DelDOT, DNREC and the Office of State Planning. While there have been substantial improvements, there is still much to do. The Chamber recommends the establishment of a fast track approval process for a project when it is determined that the project will create new jobs. The fast track program must also be instituted in the many different boards and commissions that are involved in the regulatory process. The Chamber would like to suggest the implementation of a similar fast track system for DelDOT approvals of land development plans submitted by New Castle County. All too often, large and small projects many of which will create new jobs are stalled because DelDOT does not follow the same timeline as the County and has no sense of urgency to complete their work.

3) Mass Transit and Transportation Alternatives

To fully participate in the growth and commerce in the Northeast Corridor, New Castle County Delaware needs to improve the quality, availability and reach of mass transit. To that end, we urge federal, state and local policymakers to work toward the institution of full commuter rail service in Delaware.

4) Aberdeen Proving Grounds Expansion

The Chamber urges the Department of Transportation and State Planning Office officials to consider in their planning the economic opportunities that the coming large-scale expansion at Aberdeen Proving Grounds will present to our State, particularly western New Castle County.