Council rezones District 8 parkland to ‘P’ zoning; one member refuses to support measure

New Castle County Council voted on March 24 to adopt Ordinance 25‑122, a county‑initiated rezoning that designates public parkland in Council District 8 under a 'P' public park zoning category.

Councilman Cartier, who introduced the ordinance, said the rezoning clarifies which lands are publicly owned and ensures consistent zoning for county parkland. Several other council members stated they supported the ordinance based on recommendations from Land Use and the Planning Board and because it aligns with the county’s comprehensive plan.

Councilman Street told the council he would not support the measure, calling the rezoning “unnecessary” and criticizing what he characterized as the council’s approach to parkland zoning. He declined to cast a supporting vote during the subsequent poll vote. The clerk’s roll call recorded multiple yes votes, a single not‑voting response, and one absence; the clerk announced the ordinance had been adopted.

The ordinance applies to specified tax parcels in Brandywine Hundred identified during the reading and is intended to apply county‑wide procedures for publicly‑owned parkland zoning. The council did not receive sustained public testimony on this ordinance during the vote.