Ordinance 23-095: Protecting New Castle County's Open Spaces

New Castle County is known for its beautiful parks and natural habitats, offering spaces for recreation, conservation, and community gatherings. However, a quirk in our zoning laws has left many of these cherished spaces without proper designation. Currently, areas meant to be preserved as open spaces are zoned for other uses, like "suburban estate" or "commercial regional," due to the lack of an "Open Space" (OS) category in our zoning code.

Ordinance 23-095 aims to correct this oversight by creating a Protected Open Space Zoning District. This move is not just about a name change; it's about ensuring these lands are preserved for their intended use, protected against confusion and misinterpretation in the future.

After receiving unanimous support from the Open Space Advisory Board, the Planning Board, and the NCC Land Use Department, Ordinance 23-095 faces its final hurdle. However, some County Council members remain unconvinced, swayed by a mix of misconceptions and opposition from certain interest groups. This is where public support through comments becomes crucial.

Speaking at the upcoming public comment session is a powerful way to show your support for preserving our open spaces. Pick one talking point for your comment.

1. 2022 NCC2050 Comprehensive Plan Alignment: The comprehensive plan explicitly calls for the creation of an open space zoning category, acknowledging the need for clear, protected land use designations.
2. Corrective Rezoning: This action corrects a gap in our zoning laws since the creation of the Unified Development Code in 1999. It's a step towards making our zoning reflect the actual use of land, particularly for parcels intended for parks and natural area protection.
3. Specificity: The ordinance affects only government-owned parcels designated for open space and natural area protection. It clarifies that these spaces are to remain as such, without encroaching on other types of government or private lands.
4. Transparency and Clarity: By establishing a clear zoning category, the ordinance eliminates confusion about the use and protection of these lands, making planning and development more predictable for everyone.
5. Support for Sustainable Growth: The NCC's goal to protect 30% of its natural lands by 2022 underlines the importance of having a zoning category that reflects and supports this commitment.
6. Broad-Based Support: The unanimous backing from relevant boards and departments underscores the ordinance's value and necessity.
7. Regional Consistency: The introduction of an Open Space zoning category aligns New Castle County with neighboring jurisdictions, promoting a unified approach to open space protection.
8. Enhancing Public Awareness and Protection: Officially designating lands as open spaces enhances public awareness of these areas' protected status, ensuring their preservation for future generations.

Keep in mind, this item is later on the agenda, so public comment might not begin for another 45 minutes or so.