Workforce Housing Roundup
Chuck Mulholland is doing yeomans work down below the canal. Hardly a day goes by that he isn’t mailing something out to a hundred people. He has been urging people to keep the comments section buzzing on the News Journal’s website, he has forced a statement out of Coons and Clark, and now he has a website up to raise awareness and money to oppose Workforce Housing.
Next week, there are two meetings that have been arranged to discuss the issue.
Tuesday, October 21st at 7PM at Cornerstone United Methodist Church on 896 (click for map). This looks to be similar to the last meeting, in that it is designed to give neighbors a chance to exchange information on the ordinance.
On Wednesday October 22nd there will be a second meeting, arranged by the county, to discuss the whole Workforce Housing process. The meeting will be at 77 Reads Way in New Castle (click for map) at 6:30PM. In addition, the County is taking questions on Workforce Housing at LandUse@nccde.org.
From Coons:
There has been a great deal of misinformation spread about the county’s workforce housing ordinance. Many concerns have been raised about the impact of this ordinance on schools and roads and the process by which plans are approved. Before any new development is approved in New Castle County, all development plans must be reviewed by relevant state agencies, including DelDOT and the state Department of Education (DOE), to ensure the local roads and schools can accommodate the planned growth. Without their approval, plans may not move forward in our process unless conditions set forth by DelDOT and DOE are met.
From the ordinance:
An operational analysis may be required for major plans. A traffic impact study shall only be required if requested by DelDOT. Proposed development is subject to DelDOT transportation impact standards, and the County may limit or restrict development to less GFA if that is recommended by DelDOT. DelDOT may also require transportation improvements as a condition of its letter of no objection. Up to fifty (50) workforce dwelling units may be excluded from the traffic impact study.
Tags: Coons, Delaware, New Castle County, Paul Clark, Workforce Housing
I don’t know if Coons can pull off a Jedi Mind trick on this issue.
One thing I learned in my law class (the one thing), is to pay attention to “weasel” words:
Without their approval, plans may not move forward
An operational analysis may be required for major plans
and the County may limit or restrict development to less GFA if that is recommended by DelDOT
DelDOT may also require transportation improvements as a condition of its letter of no objection
Up to fifty (50) workforce dwelling units may be excluded from the traffic impact study.
Way too many “may” weasel-words in that. Change them all to “will” and it reads much better.
What I just put in #2…that’s a very real and very serious issue that gives them significant wiggle room, especially when given a legal challenge. Don’t dismiss it as semantics, the word “may” is included with very real intent.