Why Should Delaware Care?
Government works best when its citizens are knowledgeable and engaged. Delaware’s government has scores of commissions, working groups, agencies and legislative committees. All must hold meetings that are open to the public. Below we highlight a few of those minutes that are happening this week.
Here is a look at some of the most important or interesting public meetings happening around the state this week.
- Sussex residents weigh in on a town-sized development (Sussex County)
- New Castle mulls data center regulations (New Castle County)
- Newark discusses its budget, hiring freeze (Newark)
- Public Service Commission hears Delmarva Power update (Statewide)
Sussex County to consider Cool Spring Crossing
Sussex County Council will hear from residents on Monday as they consider a proposed town-sized commercial and residential development along Route 9 near Milton.
Cool Spring Crossing, if its rezoning request is approved by the county council, would bring a YMCA, retail stores, an assisted living facility and about 1,900 homes to Route 9 over the next 20 years.
The plan has already faced opposition from local residents, at least one advocacy group and even a state agency. But council members’ ability to completely halt the project are limited.
The developer also submitted a “by right” plan with 1,200 single-family homes and no retail properties. When a plan is “by right,” that means it is already properly zoned and the county has to approve the plan as long as it meets certain standards.
So even if the county denies the rezoning for the developer’s preferred plan, a large-scale project will likely still be coming to the area.
📍 The Sussex County Council meeting is scheduled for 12 p.m. Tuesday inside the Sussex County Council chambers, located at 2 the Circle in Georgetown. For additional details, including the live stream link, click here.
New Castle County leaders to mull data center regulations
Members of the New Castle County Council Land Use Committee on Tuesday will consider tightening the county’s restrictions on data centers.
If ultimately approved, data center developers would be required to coordinate with utility companies to show there is enough energy to supply their project. If there is not enough energy to meet a project’s demand, data centers would need to generate their own.
The legislation would also prohibit data centers from operating within 1,000 feet of residential zones, schools, and daycare centers, along with other regulations.
Drafted in response to a proposed 6 million-square-foot data center near Delaware City, the regulations will likely not stop that project in its entirety.
Since developers submitted their plans for that project before County Councilman Dave Carter introduced his proposed regulations, the first phase of the project will be grandfathered under the current rules.
If the Land Use Committee approves new regulations, they will still need to be voted on by the entire New Castle County Council and signed by County Executive Marcus Henry.
📍 The New Castle County Council’s Land Use Committee meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday inside the New Castle County Council chambers, located at 800 N. French St. in Wilmington. For additional details, including the live stream link, click here.
Newark City Council to discuss budget, hiring freeze
Newark City Council members will hear a presentation of the city’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year on Monday, which would increase taxes by 3.3%. Council members also could also choose to vote on the proposed budget, but it is unclear if they will do so.
City Manager Tom Coleman will also discuss the city’s ongoing hiring freeze. Council members initiated the freeze earlier this year as they battled budget shortfalls and rising costs. Initially put in place until the 2026 budget is approved, it is unclear if Coleman will recommend extending, or ending, the hiring freeze.
Coleman did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon.
📍 The Newark City Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday inside the Newark City Council chambers, located at 220 S. Main St. in Newark. For additional details, including the live stream link, click here.
Delmarva Power to share state of the company
Delmarva Power, the state’s only regulated electricity provider, will give a presentation about the state of the company on Wednesday to the Public Service Commission.
The commission is a regulatory agency that oversees public utilities across the state.
📍 The Public Service Commission meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Cannon Building, located at 861 Silver Lake Blvd. in Dover. For additional details, including the live stream link, click here.