County Executive Marcus Henry signs ordinance to create new zoning for publicly conserved lands

County Executive Marcus Henry and council signing Substitute 1 to Ordinance #24-130 into law. This ordinance creates a new zoning district for publicly owned parks and conservation. (Photo from newcastlede.gov)

NEWARK – On Monday, County Executive Marcus Henry signed Substitute 1 to Ordinance #24-130, marking a significant step in the preservation of open spaces across New Castle County.

The signing ceremony took place at Glasgow Regional Park, Henry was joined by members of County Council and Land Use staff. The ordinance introduces a new zoning classification known as the Publicly Conserved Lands & Parks District (P), which will designate publicly owned parks and conservation lands intended for long-term protection and public use.

RELATED STORY: New zoning district proposed just for parks in NCCo

The creation of the P Zoning District comes in response to the county’s 2022 Comprehensive Plan, which outlines a goal of conserving 7,100 additional acres of land by 2050. By formally recognizing these lands, the county aims to provide a clearer picture of permanently protected outdoor spaces and recreational areas.

“We believe that a more informed public is essential for fostering a vibrant and engaged community,” said County Executive Henry. “This order ensures that our citizens, local businesses, and civic organizations have better access to information about development activities, enabling them to be active participants in decisions that affect the future of our neighborhoods.”

Councilman Dave Carter, who played a pivotal role in the effort, expressed gratitude for the support received in passing the zoning change. 

“After three years of work, I want to thank everyone for their help in getting this zoning change passed,” Carter said.“This new zoning class will make it much easier for the public to understand how these lands will be used for conservation. Since much of our zoning was developed in 1997, hopefully this is just one of the changes we can make to modernize our zoning in the future.”

“I am thrilled to finally accomplish the passage of this significant measure in partnership with prime sponsor Councilman David Carter, our co-sponsors, New Castle County Executive Marcus Henry and his administration including General Manager David Culver of the Land Use Department, and the many advocates who supported it every step of the way,” said Council Member Dee Durham. 

“This ordinance was long overdue and has been recommended in three County Comprehensive Plans, including our current one. The County’s absence of an open space zoning category created confusion in our GIS mapping layers and this ordinance will enhance clarity and transparency for the public. Additionally, the County set a goal of protecting 30% of its open space by 2030, such a significant amount of our County deserves its own zoning classification.”

The new zoning designation will bring greater clarity to the county’s land use policies, helping to safeguard valuable natural resources and promote outdoor recreational opportunities for generations to come. With the passage of this ordinance, New Castle County takes a major step toward modernizing its zoning practices and fulfilling its long-term conservation goals.

Claudia Estrada

Claudia is a Philadelphia-based journalist and reporter passionate about storytelling that informs and engages the community. Claudia, a proud Temple University graduate, has built a career covering impactful stories and creating compelling content across digital and print media platforms. With a strong background in writing, editing, and research, Claudia has worked on various topics, from local news to in-depth features, always striving to deliver meaningful and accurate reporting.