FIRST STATE PLANNING – Office of State Planning (OSPC) Newsletter

Please see the following newsletter from the OSPC:

Welcome to First State Planning, the official newsletter of Delaware’s Office of State Planning Coordination (OSPC). Our mission is to improve the coordination and effectiveness of land use decisions across Delaware, ensuring a high quality of life for all residents. Through our newsletter, we aim to keep you informed about the latest developments in state, county, and municipal planning efforts, while also providing insights into important land use changes and planning initiatives. Join us as we share updates on projects, policies, and the tools that shape Delaware’s future.

CABINET COMNMITTEE ON STATE PLANNING ISSUES:

The Cabinet Committee on State Planning Issues (CCSPI) met on September 14th, 2026, and voted to recommend Claymont, Newport, and Millsboro for 3 new Downtown Development District (DDD) designations. The new round of DDDs was authorized by Governor Meyer’s Executive Order 16. Once the 3 districts are designated by the Governor it will bring the total amount of DDDs statewide to 15, which is the maximum amount allowed by code.

The CCSPI also heard from Townsend on the progress they are making on the update to their Comprehensive Plan with the hope of returning next month for the Committee to take action to recommend their Plan to the Governor for certification. Lastly, The Office of State Planning Coordination (OSPC) shared updates with the Committee on the ongoing Smart Growth Visioning process which included a recap of the findings from the Public Workshops and a timeline for further updates.

The CCSPI advises the Governor on land-use  planning and includes leaders from key state agencies. By analyzing population  trends, climate data, and economic goals, the committee ensures sustainable,  long-term planning. The next CCSPI meeting is scheduled for October 12th at 10:00 A.M. The agenda will be posted in advance of the meeting.

GUIDANCE ON HB450 AND SB23

On July 13, 2026, Governor Matt Meyer signed two land use ad housing bills into law: House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill No. 450 (the Road-DE Act) and Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill No. 23 (the Housing for Every Delawarean Act). Together, these laws are the most significant changes to Delaware’s land use and permitting framework in a generation, addressing both how long it takes to get a project approved and how much affordable housing gets built.

The Office of the Governor in close coordination with OSPC, DSHA, and DelDOT, has prepared an Initial Implementation and Guidance document that represents a plain language summary of what each law does and provides guidance for the state agencies and local governments responsible for carrying out these new requirements. They have shared this document with the Office of State Planning Coordination and have asked for us to host it on our website. The link below will take you to our website where you can find the Initial Implementation Guidance document as well as upcoming dates for information sessions regarding these bills.

The first Implementation Training and Information Session will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026 from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. in a hybrid format with the anchor location being the Public Archives at 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. N, Dover, DE 19901. For more information please visit the Public Meeting Calendar notice.

OSPC LAUNCHES NEW WE\BSITE

This past week the Office of State Planning Coordination launched it’s new website. The website, developed using Lighthouse, is one of many State pages getting an update to ensure our materials meet accessibility standards. The home page now contains more direct links to get to the things you are looking for quickly. Take some time to browse around.

UD BIDEN SCHOOL SEEKS NEW BLUEPRINT COMMUNITIES

Blueprint Communities® is an initiative of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank) that revitalizes communities and neighborhoods in Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Created by FHLBank in 2005, the initiative prepares and supports Blueprint Communities teams as they develop and implement a revitalization plan.

The application deadline is October 23, 2026. If you are interested in learning more there are information sessions scheduled on Thursday, September 24th and Wednesday, September 30th, at 5:30 P.M.

Delaware Population Consortium

The Delaware Population Consortium (DPC) prepares a set of population projections for the State of Delaware on an annual basis. The group meets to discuss the process of creating the projections and what the numbers mean for the State. The DPC has its next meeting on October 1st at 1:00 P.M. Click below for more information.

PRELIMINARY LAND USE SERVICE

Delaware’s Preliminary Land Use Service (PLUS) brings state agencies and developers together early in the planning process to review major land use proposals. This coordinated approach speeds up reviews, promotes collaboration, and ensures projects align with state and local plans. PLUS has its next meeting on September 30th at 9:00 A.M. 

LIFE, LIBERTY & THE PURSUIT OF LAND USE

Wednesday, December 9, 2026

8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Bally’s Dover Casino Resort

The Delaware Chapter of the American Planning Association (DE-APA) is pleased to present the 2026 Delaware State Planning Conference and Annual Meeting. This annual event brings together planners, engineers, landscape architects, public officials, consultants, students, and other professionals from across Delaware to discuss emerging issues, best practices, and innovations shaping our communities.

The 2026 program will feature sessions on affordable housing, land use, transportation, sustainability, and other timely planning topics, as well as our annual AICP-credit Delaware Law Review and Ethics sessions. Sponsorship provides a valuable opportunity to showcase your organization, connect with planning professionals and decision-makers, and support professional education throughout Delaware.