Committee hears bill to de-annex scattered lots of Noble’s Pond from Cheswold

Chair (Senator Cruz) presented House Bill 472, which the committee heard in lieu of Representative Lawson, explaining that the measure would de-annex 281 residential lots from the town of Cheswold that developers had annexed prior to final phase completion and in scattered locations across the community.

The chair said the scattered annexations mean some homes in the same neighborhood pay town and county taxes while adjacent homes pay only county taxes, creating confusion for residents and town services. He noted the town council adopted a resolution supporting removal of the specified lots and that law enforcement had raised related concerns about response jurisdiction. Senator Hoffner, who said she lives near the area, concurred that the scattered configuration created operational problems. The committee adjourned without taking a recorded vote on the bill at the hearing.