AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 9 AND 22 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING.

This Act amends the provisions in Title 9 of the Delaware Code relating to the county comprehensive plans for Sussex, Kent, and New Castle Counties, and Title 22 of the Delaware Code relating to municipal comprehensive plans for municipalities with populations greater than 2,000, to require that their comprehensive plans increase community resiliency and address the impacts of climate change. The Delaware Code provisions regarding county comprehensive plans are being amended to require that future land use plans reflect strategies that consider community resiliency and reduce the vulnerability of property, agriculture, infrastructure, and cultural and natural resources from the impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events, and that those strategies be informed by the Delaware Climate Action Plan and Implementation Plans as amended, and in consultation with the Office of State Planning and Coordination. The new provisions add “walking trails” to the mobility element to be considered, and require that consideration be given to alternatives to auto-centric development patterns, including transit services. County comprehensive plans must be consistent with the State Implementation Plan and consider designated State evacuation routes. The county comprehensive plans must also consider forests, habitat areas, and wildlife corridors. The housing element for county comprehensive plans must consider anticipated growth areas and be in conformance with the strategies reflected in future land use plans and encourage the development of new housing growth away from areas vulnerable to inland and coastal flooding. This Act will not take effect until November 15, 2026.