POLICY PRIORITIES

25-101 (Substitute 1) Data Center electrical capacity guardrail, requiring electricity capacity is available prior to any project startup (co-sponsor with lead sponsor Councilman David Carter)

Ordinance 26-106 upwardly revised the schedule of impact fees for new developments to reflect the greatly increased costs incurred by the county over the past year (co-primed by Dee and Councilman Dave Tackett)

26-018 - (co-prime sponsor with Councilmen Tackett, Toole, Caneco) Expanded Public Notice Requirements (from 300' to 1,000' for new developments)

26-100 moves the Legislative Agents (land use lobbyists) Form online & makes it ready accessible to the public

Co-sponsor of Ordinance 25-101, the first comprehensive zoning regulations for data centers, with prime sponsor David Carter, and cosponsors, Council Members Caneco, Cartier, and Tackett - a major step toward ensuring we protect our communities and have responsible development in New Castle County.

25-045 Impact Fee Update

Dee led the successful effort to pass new code requirements that updated developer impact fees - the first increase since implementation in 1999! - and instituted a requirement for annual fee review and increases mirroring cost of living increases.  These annual reviews are now due every February. 

24-130 Create New Zoning Category to Recognize Publicly Owned Parks & Preserves

Partnered with State Senator Stephanie Hansen to add clarity for Delaware local governments regarding the State Energy Code through Senate Bill 289.

% For the Arts - New Castle County, Matt Meyer, Executive Order

Dee co-primed Ordinance 24-035 with Councilwoman Valerie George, the Pollinator Plant Lawn Replacement Ordinance which "allows for lots to be maintained using alternatives to turfgrass that will act as robust forage areas for pollinators, rain gardens to sequester and filter rainwater, and habitat for wildlife using native plants, trees, and cultivars from the approved plant lists."

Durham's Ordinance 23-122 Addresses Light Pollution

Ordinance 23-160

2023-11-28 Durham Leads Establishment of NCC Public Arts Commission

2023-10-24 Durham's Resolution 23-184 Amends County Council Procedural Rules to enhance clarity and transparency on origin of legislation

22-091 (Substitute 1) instituted requirements for all large scale commercial and industrial roofs to be Solar Ready.  This ordinance was subsequently picked up and mirrored in State code, broadening its impact even further.

Byways Ordinance 22-071 (Substitute 1) NCC Department of Land Use Protection Strategy for Scenic Byways, Watershed Areas, and Villages

Net Zero Energy Buildings are Already a Thing in Delaware

Durham's Ordinance Now Requires New NCC Homes to be EV-Charger Capable

New County law leads the way in the State for the EV future

This ordinance was subsequently picked up and mirrored in State code, broadening its impact even further.

Durham signs on to Back from the Brink letter to President Biden & U.S. Congress to support common sense policy solutions to prevent nuclear war

All new streetlights in NCC after January 1, 2022 will now be LED thanks to Dee

Ordinance #20-112 (Sub.1) Mandates Historic Properties Acquired by NCC be Placed in Historic 

Overlay Zoning Districts in order to enhance protection

Durham Spearheads Comprehensive Historic Preservation NCC Code Revisions (Ord #20-071)

Durham partners with Recorder of Deeds, Mike Kozikowski, to Address Vestiges of Redlining 

Language in Civic Association Deed Restrictions & Bylaws

Resolution #20-180 Urging the United States Congress to Enact the Energy Innovation and 

Carbon Dividend Act

Durham Establishes NCC Historic Marker Program

Ordinance 20-093 exempts the obligation to register a vacant property when zoned Historic (H) or when the (H) re-zoning process has been initiated on eligible properties; and also clarifies the conditions for a one-time waiver of the annual vacant property registration fee.

Durham Launches Little Free Library Program

Launching the Little Free Library Giveaway!

Durham's Ordinance #20-038 to Assist Little Free Library Installations

Durham's Ordinance #19-106 Re-Establishes historic tax credits which had sunset

Ordinance 19-080 clarified the application process and timeline for HRB demolition requests

Dee co-sponsors ordinance 19-046 to limit expansion of Minquadale landfill