Spring 2017:

Project Problem/Question/Issue:

Under Delaware law, municipal governments have the authority to annex land from the unincorporated jurisdiction of County governments. This allows municipal growth, but may have unintended consequences. Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of annexation on county tax revenues, providing adequate services, and the impact of unexpected changes in zoning based on municipal comprehensive plans. Additionally, smaller municipalities may pursue annexation without advance notice to the county. This raises policy questions for New Castle County Council including: 1) Which unincorporated areas of NCC might be subject to annexation?; 2) Is our current policy framework for annexation appropriate for our contemporary urban growth model in NCC?; 3) Which policy options might be considered to reduce or eliminate negative consequences for the county associated with municipal annexations?

Requested Deliverable:

A report and oral briefing to an appropriate council committee describing the following:

• An analysis of the amount of annexation in New Castle County over the past 25 years and the impacts of these changes.
• An analysis of existing policy framework for municipal annexations.
• A review and summary of how other states and counties have addressed the problem of municipal annexation and lessons learned from their experience.
• Conclusions and recommended options for New Castle County Government to consider.

Client:

• Councilwoman Lisa Diller

Faculty Supervisor:

• David Carter

Final Deliverables:

• Paper documenting research effort