The issue of facilitating greater housing choices for all income levels, especially with
regards to affordable housing is a demanding task. Addressing affordable housing is
rightly a key goal of the County’s comprehensive plan and is especially pertinent in these trying economic times. It is also a multi-faceted issue that must be addressed at a variety
of levels as clearly there is not a “one size fits all” approach to the issue of housing
affordability as different economic situations require different strategies.

The use of a Workforce Housing ordinance as one of the tools to address affordable
housing is to be commended and supported. We feel that it is important to not preclude
housing options as this amendment suggests, as, again, there is not a “one size fits all”
housing type that can meet the needs for working families.

In addition to suggestion from the other state agencies included in this letter we would
recommend your consideration of the following:

. Whenever there is an opportunity to increase density, we recommend that such
density be achieved through the use of a transfer of development rights (TDR)
program. This would help minimize the overall impact to a particular area by
keeping expected populations as projected and also help minimize the consumption of
land;

- Create an incentive for hamlet and village developments that incorporate this type of
housing such as pre-permitting areas where you would expect such developments to
occur and using the likes of master planning to identify such areas; and,

– Create a sliding scale for the ability to achieve greater density based on locational
considerations such as, for example, taking the Delaware Strategies for State Policies
and Spending maps, allowing maximum densities in Levels 1 and 2 areas and less in a
Level 3 area.

This office stands ready to work with the County in implementing any of your affordable
housing and other strategies.

Mr. Mulholland,

as i noted in my first response, we reviewed 08-121 on December 17, 2008. our response is due to the County sometime next week and will be posted on our web shortly after they recieve our response. we did not review ordinance 07-150.

feel free to contact me for additional information

thanks

Herb M. Inden, Principal Planner
Office of State Planning Coordination
302.577.5188 (Wilmington) 302.739.3090 (Dover)

http://stateplanning.delaware.gov

That’s because the legislators in Sussex for the most part feel the same way as the county council does. And no one in NCCo is going to get into a pissing match with Sussex for fear of starting a north-south war, lest the farmers march on Wilmington with pitchforks.

This is not just a NCCo issue, all Delaware taxpayers will pay if WFH stands. Repeal WFH now. It is simply not necessary in the current housing market. There are more than enough houses on the market in the WFH price range all over Delaware. http://www.stayoutofmypocket.com

I feel like I just pointed at Lee Ann, and when she looked down as to why, I flicked her nose.

Mea culpa…I am guilty of missing the obvious as well.

woo hoo! You da bestest, man!

You commie bastard.

I did lose track. Did you happen to read Randy Nelson’s write up on the DTR Blog, that Jason highlighted yesterday?