Delaware Code Title 9 Sec. 2651 – Short title; intent and purpose
(a) This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Quality of Life Act of 1988.” It is the purpose of this subchapter to utilize and strengthen the existing role, processes and powers of County Councils in the establishment and implementation of comprehensive planning programs to guide and control future development. It is the intent of this subchapter to encourage the most appropriate use of land, water and resources consistent with the public interest and to deal effectively with future problems that may result from the use and development of land within their jurisdictions. Through the process of comprehensive planning, it is intended that units of County Council can preserve, promote and improve the public health, safety, comfort, good order, appearance, convenience, law enforcement and fire prevention and general welfare; facilitate the adequate and efficient provision of transportation, water, sewage, schools, parks, recreational facilities, housing and other requirements and services; and conserve, develop, utilize and protect natural resources within their jurisdictions.
Terms Used In Delaware Code Title 9 Sec. 2651
- Coordination: as used in this chapter means, in general terms, to act jointly, concurrently, and/or harmoniously toward a common end or purpose. See Delaware Code Title 9 Sec. 2652
- County: means New Castle. See Delaware Code Title 9 Sec. 2652
- Development: means any construction or reconstruction of any new or existing commercial or residential building(s) or structure(s) upon lands which are not owned by the State or its agencies or its political subdivisions, or are not within the jurisdictional control of the State or its agencies or its political subdivisions. See Delaware Code Title 9 Sec. 2652
- Land: means the earth, water and air, above, below or on the surface, and includes any improvements or structures customarily regarded as land. See Delaware Code Title 9 Sec. 2652
- Land development regulations: means ordinances enacted by governing bodies for the regulation of any aspect of development and includes any County Council zoning, rezoning, subdivision, building construction or sign regulations or any other regulations controlling the development of land. See Delaware Code Title 9 Sec. 2652
- Land use: means the development that has occurred on the land, the development that is proposed by a developer on the land or the use that is permitted or permissible on the land under an adopted comprehensive plan. See Delaware Code Title 9 Sec. 2652
- State: means the State of Delaware; and when applied to different parts of the United States, it includes the District of Columbia and the several territories and possessions of the United States. See Delaware Code Title 1 Sec. 302
(b) It is also the intent of this subchapter to encourage and assure cooperation between and among municipalities, counties and the State and to encourage and assure coordination of planning and development activities of units of County Council, municipalities, regional agencies and state government in accord with applicable provisions of law. A growth management plan or policy plan that meets the standards and requirements of this subchapter shall be an acceptable comprehensive plan. The land use map or map series forming part of the comprehensive plan as required by this subchapter shall have the force of law, and no development, as defined in this subchapter, shall be permitted except in conformity with the land use map or map series and with county land development regulations enacted to implement the other elements of the adopted comprehensive plan.