NEWS AND UPDATES
Archived, November 2005
New Book Looks at the Role of Land Conservation in Preserving Community Character
A new publication from The Trust for Public Land examines the connections between land conservation efforts and the preservation of a community's character. The new book -- Groundswell -- presents a collection of stories of land conservation efforts from the Bronx River in new York City to a Community Forest in Washington State. Author Alix Hopkins uses pictures and interviews to explore the use of land conservation to enhance economic growth, community health, and a sense of connection to place. The book costs $20 and is available from Chelsea Green publishing.
(11/23/05)
Draft Meeting Summary from November 18 DGDC Meeting Posted
A draft summary (PDF) of the November 18 meeting of the Delaware Geographic Data Committee is now available on-line. The quarterly DGDC meetings are open to anyone interested in GIS, spatial data, and the use and sharing of spatially-enhanced data and information.
(11/21/05)
Georgetown Planning Staff Honored by Delaware State Legislature
The staff of the Georgetown Planning and Zoning Department has been honored by the Delaware General Assembly for their work during a recent moratorium on major land use changes. According to a story in the The Sussex Post newspaper (P&Z honored by state House), the award from the State House of Representatives was for "outstanding efforts to assist in implementing new zoning codes and land use regulations during the moratorium." Georgetown Planning & Zoning Director Debbie Pfeil was also given an award from the Delaware Senate for her leadership during the six-month process. The moratorium was imposed in January and lifted in July, after staff had completed their work to update land-use regulations, develop new design standards, add a Residential Planned Community ordinance, and implement a new fee schedule for development services provided by the town.
(11/10/05)
A Trio of Smart Growth Grant Opportunities
Local governments can apply for grant assistance for implementing smart growth programs from the EPA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), and American Institute of Architects (AIA). The three organizations have each developed technical assistance programs to help local communities meet development-related challenges and to create examples of new ways to approach those challenges. They have released a single request for applications for all three grant programs, with applications for all three due on January 6, 2006. The EPA is offering Smart Growth Implementation Assistance for communities that want to develop in ways that meet environmental and other community goals. NOAA is offering Smart Growth Implementation Assistance for Coastal Communities to Sea Grant Programs, partnered with coastal communities, to support either land use or planning policy analysis or public participatory planning processes. The AIA is offering grant assistance to set up Sustainable Design Assessment Teams to help local government leaders plan for sustainable growth.
(11/9/05)
Agenda Posted for Quarterly Meeting of the Delaware Geographic Data Committee
A draft agenda (PDF) has been posted for the November 18 meeting of the Delaware Geographic Data Committee (DGDC). The meeting will start at 9:00 a.m. in the House Hearing Room on the Second Floor of Legislative Hall, in Dover. The DGDC is an open committee of those interested in the use and sharing of geospatial data and GIS tools in Delaware. All are welcome. The draft agenda focuses on reviewing the existing Delaware Geospatial Data Framework -- a digital base map of Delaware -- and looking at ways to improve, update and expand the Framework.
(11/8/05)
Agendas Posted for November PLUS Meetings
Agendas have been posted for two meetings scheduled for discussion of land use change proposals submitted for review in November under the Preliminary Land Use Service (PLUS). The meetings are set for November 22 (PDF) and November 30 (PDF), in the Third Floor Conference Room of the Thomas Collins Building, at 540 South Dupont Highway, in Dover. Both start at 8:30 a.m. The PLUS meetings, and written PLUS review comments, serve to help both developers and local government leaders make informed choices regarding growth and development in Delaware.
(11/7/05)
WILMAPCO Publishes Results of Walkable Communities Workshops
The Wilmington Area Planning Council (WILMAPCO) has published the results of two of its recent Walkable Community Workshops. A report on the third is due out soon. In the spring of 2005, WILMAPCO facilitated walkable communities workshops for the City of New Castle, Edgemoor Gardens and the Marsh/Silverside area of Brandywine Hundred. Reports from the first two workshops are now available on the WILMAPCO Walkable Community page. The Brandywine Hundred report is due out soon as well. WILMAPCO plans to present additional Walkable Community Workshops in 2006 for communities in Cecil and New Castle Counties.
(11/1/05)
