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Comprehensive Plan
The 2012 Comprehensive Development Plan is effective from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2022. The comprehensive plan provides the blueprint for future development and redevelopment in New Castle County. Changes to the Unified Development Code, re-zonings, and capital programs must all be reviewed within the context of conformity with the Comprehensive Development Plan.
A hard copy of the comprehensive plan may be purchased for $50 at the front desk in the Department of Land Use, 87 Read's Way, New Castle Corporate Commons. Printed copies are also available for viewing at New Castle County's libraries.
New Castle County is at a crossroads regarding growth and development. We are a maturing county with older and newer communities. How do we ensure our future is sustainable and we are creating attractive, vibrant communities? Where should development versus preservation happen and how can they both best serve the community? Should we continue our piecemeal approach to planning on a case by case basis, or develop a comprehensive strategy for the County’s future? These are the core questions the County and its residents must grapple with as we plan for the next 30 years — NCC@2050. Read the report by clicking here.
New Castle County’s “Growing Better Places” is a development scenario board game that helps residents, students, employees, and other stakeholders discuss and understand the dynamics of growth, development, infrastructure, and community amenities and trade offs involved in related real-world decision making.
As part of our efforts to try a variety of approaches for public engagement, the Land Use Department developed the game to be used with a wide range of stakeholders as a way to begin gathering public input related to growth, and ultimately prepare the way for great engagement in the upcoming countywide comprehensive plan update processes. The next comp plan update is due in 2022.
The following report summarizes the game and its first use at an event held in late January 2019, called “Reality Check.” We want to use it with a variety of groups in the coming year across the County. This would be one component of our outreach and engagement efforts. Read the report here.
New Castle County 2012 Comprehensive Plan Update
The 2012 update of New Castle County's Comprehensive Plan was adopted into Law on May 7, 2012 and subsequently certified by Delaware Governor Jack Markell upon the recommendation of the Office of State Planning Coordination. This update consists of 12 chapters and 178 pages including maps, meeting summaries, survey results, and other supporting information.
Click on the cover to the left to view the complete booklet. We have also split it into multiple PDF files below for more manageable online viewing utilizing smaller file sizes.
View the Comprehensive Plan
- Acknowledgements and Voting Record (PDF)
- Letter of Certification from Governor Markell (PDF)
- County Executive Letter of Introduction (PDF)
- Ordinance 11-109 - Adopting the 2012 Comprehensive Plan Update (PDF)
- Table of Contents (PDF)
- Chapter 1 (PDF)
- 2012 Planning Districts (PDF)
- 2012 Zoning Map (JPG)
- Chapter 2 (PDF)
- Chapter 3 (PDF)
- 2007 Future Land Use (PDF)
- 2012 HISTORIC RESOURCES (PDF)
- Chapter 8 (PDF)
- 2012 Undeveloped Residential Land (PDF)
- Chapter 9 (PDF)
- Underdeveloped Non Residential Land (PDF)
- Nonresidential Zoning Land (PDF)
- Chapter 10 (PDF)
- Chapter 11 (PDF)
- Chapter 12 (PDF)
- Map 11-1 Intergovernmental Coordination (PDF)
- 2012 School Districts (PDF)
New Castle County submits a report to the State Planning Office annually to report progress on implementation of the Comprehensive Plan. Click on the links below to read recent annual reports.
2019 Comprehensive Plan Annual Report to Office of State Planning