Council reads first reading to extend rezoning approval deadline for large Parkway Gravel project

The New Castle City Council held the first reading of Ordinance 567 on June 12, a zoning-related measure that would extend the approval window for a previously approved 2023 rezoning affecting property owned by Parkway Gravel Inc.

Ordinance 567 would amend Section 3 of the prior ordinance number 536 to replace an 18-month deadline with 54 months, extending the developer's deadline to obtain site plan, subdivision approvals and required special exceptions to Nov. 9, 2027. The extension was requested by the owner because of participation in a voluntary cleanup program with the state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), which required remediation and review of contaminated soils.

Because this was a first reading of a zoning ordinance, the council took no final vote; the matter will next be referred to the planning commission for its public hearing and recommendation, after which the council will hold a second reading and may vote on final passage.