Land Use Committee reviews plan to clear century-old deed restrictions on Summit Bridge Road parcels; vote set for next week

The New Castle County Land Use Committee discussed a proposed resolution to terminate a long-standing declaration of registered restrictions on two parcels on the western side of Summit Bridge Road.

Councilmember Carter described the matter as a records clean-up stemming from covenants signed in 1989 that imposed limits on height, setbacks, number and location of entrances and signage. "This is just to take an old deed easement from many years ago that I think is unenforceable," Carter said, noting the land was annexed into Middletown and has not been under county jurisdiction since about 2001.

The chair read the application details on the record: tax parcel numbers 2302800243 and 2302800244, application number 20250659D, in Council District 6. Carter said he consulted Middletown’s attorney and county legal staff and that the Land Use Committee recommended proceeding with terminating the restrictions to clear titles and avoid future surprises in title searches.

No formal vote was taken at the meeting; committee members confirmed the item is scheduled for a vote next week. Carter said he may bring additional similar clean-up items forward for other areas south of the canal.