Newark, DE Comprehensive Plan VI

Plan for Planning

Introduction and Purpose

Delaware State law, under Title 22, Section 702, defines a comprehensive plan as “a document in text and maps, containing at a minimum, a municipal development strategy setting forth the jurisdiction's position on population and housing growth within the jurisdiction, expansion of its boundaries, development of adjacent areas, redevelopment potential, community character, and the general uses of land within the community, and critical community development and infrastructure issues.” Furthermore, the comprehensive plan should also include “a description of the physical, demographic and economic conditions of the jurisdiction; as well as policies, statements, goals and planning components for public and private uses of land, transportation, economic development, affordable housing, community facilities, open spaces and recreation, protection of sensitive areas, community design, adequate water and wastewater systems, protection of historic and cultural resources, annexation and such other elements which in accordance with present and future needs…(that)…best promotes the health, safety, prosperity and general public welfare of the jurisdiction's residents.” A comprehensive development plan is a vision for the City’s future and a blueprint for achieving it; addresses for both short– and long-term planning concerns; and provides a rational basis for local land use decisions. It is also the basis for the development of zoning regulations and has “the force of law” in that “no development shall be permitted except as consistent with the plan.”

Overview of the Plan for Planning

The Plan for Planning establishes the path for the overall planning effort for developing PLAN VI. The steps include:

• Introduction of Newark Comprehensive Development Plan VI
• Community Outreach and Public Participation
• Project Steering Committee
• Schedule

The intent of the Comprehensive Development Plan VI (Plan VI) is to develop and integrate the City’s plan for: land use; annexation; public utilities and infrastructure; economic development; housing; transportation; environmental quality; parks and natural resources; as well as intergovernmental coordination.

Community Outreach & Public Participation

The community outreach goal of PLAN VI is to offer opportunities and encouragement to all citizens, businesses, interest groups, relevant units of government to participate in a meaningful way throughout the entire process. The public participation process will:

• Ensure all planning decisions are open to public comment. o
• Produce better planning decisions.
• Support and add credibility to all City decision-making processes.
• Provide opportunities to disseminate information about PLAN VI to the community.
• Strengthen the relationship between our decision makers and citizens; and,

A “stakeholder” is any group or organization that has a vested interest in the planning process. The Planning and Development Department will identify and engage representatives from a diverse range of stakeholders to participate. Key stakeholders are:

Community residents, including those who have not historically been engaged in the decision-making process, such as low-income residents, minority groups, and young people.

• Local Businesses and industries.
• The development community, including real-estate professionals.
• City staff and elected officials.
• University of Delaware leadership.
• Banks, churches, civic clubs, students' organizations, and service organization.

Provisions for Open Discussion

To ensure that public meetings allow for an open discussion of the relevant issues, the City of Newark’s Planning and Development Department will make every effort to ensure those who choose to participate have the opportunity to have their opinions heard. To accomplish this, the following actions will be implemented:

• An agenda will be established for each public hearing or meeting outlining the purpose, items to be discussed, and any actions that may be taken.
• A variety of days and times will be scheduled to encourage maximum participation by city residents and other stakeholders.
• A clearly identifiable facilitator or chair will conduct the meeting or hearing in an orderly fashion to ensure that all attendees have an opportunity to offer comments, discuss issues, or provide testimony.
• The facilitator or chair will provide opening remarks that clearly outline the purpose of the meeting or hearing, describe procedures attendees shall use during the meeting or hearing when offering input, and describe how the public input will be used.
• All persons attending the meeting or hearing that desire to participate should be allowed to do so. However, specific factors, such as the meeting or hearing purpose, number in attendance, time considerations, and future opportunities to participate may require that appropriate constraints be applied, to be outlined by the facilitator or chair if the need arises.
• All attendees will be encouraged to sign in using a provided sign-in sheet.
• Special arrangements will be made under the provisions of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) with sufficient advance notice.