INTENTIONALLY BLANK 2019 Comprehensive Plan Update TOWN OF CAMDEN Kent County, Delaware Adopted by the Mayor and Council on May 6, 2019; Ordinance 2019-O-01 Certified by the Governor on June 17, 2019 Prepared by Institute for Public Administration Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy & Administration College of Arts & Sciences University of Delaware INTENTIONALLY BLANK iii Adopted May 6, 2019, Ordinance 2019-O-01, Certified by the Governor on June 17, 2019 iv Town of Camden 2019 Comprehensive Plan Update v Adopted May 6, 2019, Ordinance 2019-O-01, Certified by the Governor on June 17, 2019 vi INTENTIONALLY BLANK Town of Camden 2019 Comprehensive Plan Update vii Table of Contents Chapter 1. Background and Overview ....................................................................................... 1 Overview ................................................................................................................................... 1 Vision for the Town’s Future..................................................................................................... 2 Goals of the Plan ....................................................................................................................... 2 Planning Process ....................................................................................................................... 2 Public Participation ................................................................................................................... 3 Chapter 2. Community Profile.................................................................................................... 5 Population Trends ..................................................................................................................... 5 Community Character ............................................................................................................... 8 Community Character and Design Recommendations for Consideration.............................. 14 Chapter 3. Planning Environment ............................................................................................ 15 Strategies for State Policies and Spending ............................................................................. 15 Kent County............................................................................................................................. 16 Town of Wyoming ................................................................................................................... 16 Town of Woodside .................................................................................................................. 16 City of Dover ........................................................................................................................... 17 Chapter 4. Land Use and Annexation....................................................................................... 19 Current Land Use .................................................................................................................... 19 Future Land Use ...................................................................................................................... 22 Land Use and Zoning ............................................................................................................... 26 Annexation Areas .................................................................................................................... 29 Recommendations for Considerations ................................................................................... 30 Chapter 5. Transportation ........................................................................................................ 33 Transportation Trends ............................................................................................................ 33 Roads and Traffic .................................................................................................................... 33 Non-Automotive Travel .......................................................................................................... 35 Commuting Patterns ............................................................................................................... 37 Planned Transportation Improvements ................................................................................. 39 Additional Transportation Issues ............................................................................................ 42 Recommendations for Consideration ..................................................................................... 46 Chapter 6. Natural Resources and Environment ..................................................................... 47 Physical Characteristics ........................................................................................................... 47 Water Resources ..................................................................................................................... 48 Protecting Water Resources ................................................................................................... 48 Climate Change ....................................................................................................................... 50 Recommendations for Consideration ..................................................................................... 50 Chapter 7. Economic Development ......................................................................................... 55 Countywide Trends ................................................................................................................. 55 Adopted May 6, 2019, Ordinance 2019-O-01, Certified by the Governor on June 17, 2019 viii Local Trends ............................................................................................................................ 57 Economic Characteristics ........................................................................................................ 57 Recommendations for Consideration ..................................................................................... 61 Chapter 8. Park, Recreation & Open Space ............................................................................. 63 Local and Regional Facilities ................................................................................................... 63 Open Space and Natural Areas ............................................................................................... 65 Agricultural Open Space ......................................................................................................... 66 Regional Pathways and Trails ................................................................................................. 67 Recreation Facility Needs........................................................................................................ 70 Recommendations for Consideration ..................................................................................... 70 Chapter 9. Housing ................................................................................................................... 71 Housing Profile ........................................................................................................................ 71 Housing Needs ........................................................................................................................ 74 Affordable Housing and Housing Rehabilitation .................................................................... 75 Position on Housing Growth ................................................................................................... 76 Position on Critical Community Development Issues ............................................................. 76 Recommendations for Consideration ..................................................................................... 76 Chapter 10. Historic and Cultural Resources ............................................................................. 79 Town History ........................................................................................................................... 79 Historic and Cultural Resources Summary.............................................................................. 82 Recommendations for Considerations ................................................................................... 84 Chapter 11. Community Facilities .............................................................................................. 85 Town Government .................................................................................................................. 85 Town Facilities and Services ................................................................................................... 86 Public Safety ............................................................................................................................ 86 Educational Facilities............................................................................................................... 88 Recommendations for Consideration ..................................................................................... 91 Chapter 12. Utilities ................................................................................................................... 93 Water System .......................................................................................................................... 93 Wastewater System ...............................................................................................................