UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 8, Page 11
October 24, 1991
State officials discuss growth management

     Delaware legislators, county officials and business leaders
attending a University-coordinated seminar on managed growth were
told they must enact stronger zoning laws if the state is to avoid
being damaged by over-development.
     The Managed Growth and Land Development seminar was
co-sponsored by the College of Urban Affairs and Public Policy, the
Delaware Public Administration Institute and the Delaware General
Assembly in an attempt to take a "first step" toward developing a
plan for growth that both developers and communities can live with.
     "Counties really need to get their acts together, especially
in Sussex County where they don't even have a comprehensive plan
(for development)," State Sen. Myrna L. Bair said.  Bair, a senior
management adviser, said she asked the University to act as
"facilitators of public policy" in creating a forum for public
officials, business interests and environmental experts to begin a
dialog leading to growth pattern restrictions acceptable to all.
     The seminar began with a keynote address by David Ames,
director of the University's Center for Historic Architecture and
Engineering, and included a roundtable discussion about balancing
economic growth with environmental concerns. The program ended with
state and county officials responding to the information they had
heard during the seminar.
     "There are a lot of ideas floating around, like giving Del Dot
veto authority over rezoning and requiring a super majority vote on
county councils when their planning commission has recommended
against a zoning change," Bair said.
     She said she believes there needs to be a follow-up conference
to keep the momentum alive. "Ultimately, county councils, the state
legislature, governor or county executive will have to do
something."
                                        - Barbra Garrison