Alert #44
Protect historic buildings in New Castle County, Delaware: Port Penn, DE. December 13, 1999. Most Green Delaware members support the preservation of "cultural resources," such as historic buildings, as well as natural resources such as our air and water. (Green Delaware's office is located in a historic building preserved with the cooperation and assistance of the State and New Castle County.) New Castle County, Delaware is undergoing an orgy of "development" that is demolishing both natural systems and cultural resources, while trashing the quality of life with increasing traffic congestion. Development interests almost completely control County government. Here is an example: Draft Ordinance #99-083 (Sponsored by Councilman Rich Abbott) would allow developers or property owners who wish to demolish certain historic structures to circumvent the County Historic Review Board process by paying a fee so that demolition can be fast tracked. The "pay to bulldoze" fee would range, apparently, between ten and fifty thousand dollars, a trivial sum for many developers. This ordinance is opposed by the Historic Review Board (whose powers are already limited). Historic Review Board member James R. Hanby writes "This proposal will allow the wholesale destruction of our historic resources." This horrible ordinance will be considered by the County Planning Board, and may be voted on by the County Council in Jan. Protection of historic resources should be strengthened, not weakened. COMMENTS TO PLANNING BOARD NEEDED BY DECEMBER 14, 1999. Please contact: Vic Singer, Chair of the Planning Board, 302.366.8768, The members of the Planning Board, in addition to Singer, are: Vince D'Anna 302.368.3772 The members of the County Council are on the County web page, http://www.co.new-castle.de.us/ For more information contact Preservation Delaware, 302.651.9617, DD6551950@aol.com Look for more details in upcoming Green Delaware News. (C) Alan Muller
Let us know what you think. Email us at or contact
Green Delaware is funded through membership dues, donations, and grants. This page was last updated on January 1, 2000. |
