The Town of Bellefonte Comprehensive Plan 2019 Table of Contents TOWN, COUNTY, AND STATE OFFICIALS ............................................................................................................ 5 Town of Bellefonte ..................................................................................................................... 5 New Castle County ..................................................................................................................... 5 State of Delaware ........................................................................................................................ 5 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................................... 7 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................................... 8 The Authority to Plan .................................................................................................................................................... 9 Community Profile ...................................................................................................................................................... 10 Overview ................................................................................................................................... 10 Location .................................................................................................................................... 11 History of the Town .................................................................................................................. 12 Demographics, Future Population, and Housing Growth ............................................................................................ 15 Position on Population and Housing Growth............................................................................ 15 Housing Growth ........................................................................................................................ 15 Population and Housing ............................................................................................................ 15 Population Projections .............................................................................................................. 16 Racial Composition ................................................................................................................... 18 Age Profile ................................................................................................................................ 19 Educational Attainment ............................................................................................................ 19 Housing Units ........................................................................................................................... 19 Type of Housing Stock ............................................................................................................. 20 Age of Housing Stock ............................................................................................................... 20 Housing Value .......................................................................................................................... 20 Ownership and Vacancy ........................................................................................................... 21 Economic Profile ...................................................................................................................... 21 Existing Land Uses ...................................................................................................................................................... 26 Land Use in Bellefonte ............................................................................................................. 26 Current Zoning of Land ............................................................................................................ 26 Land Surrounding Bellefonte .................................................................................................... 27 Housing ..................................................................................................................................... 28 Natural Features ........................................................................................................................................................... 31 Floodplains, Wetlands, and Recharge Areas ............................................................................ 31 Soils........................................................................................................................................... 31 Shellpot Creek Watershed......................................................................................................... 31 Town Government ....................................................................................................................................................... 33 Town Government Format ........................................................................................................ 33 Other Governing Boards, Commissions, & Committees ............................................................................................. 34 Planning Commission ............................................................................................................... 34 Zoning Commission .................................................................................................................. 34 Board of Adjustment ................................................................................................................. 34 Intergovernmental Communication and Cooperation ............................................................... 35 Community Services .................................................................................................................................................... 36 Water ......................................................................................................................................... 36 Electric ...................................................................................................................................... 36 Natural Gas ............................................................................................................................... 36 Sewer......................................................................................................................................... 36 Telephone, Cable/Satellite Television, Internet/Internet Access .............................................. 36 Trash Collection, RECYCLING AND YARD WASTE .......................................................... 36 Town of Bellefonte Comprehensive Plan 2018 (Revision 3 – 7/19) 2 Police protection ....................................................................................................................... 36 Fire protection ........................................................................................................................... 37 Emergency Medical Services .................................................................................................... 37 Communication ......................................................................................................................... 37 Schools ...................................................................................................................................... 37 Preschool/Daycare Services ...................................................................................................... 38 Senior Services.......................................................................................................................... 38 Library....................................................................................................................................... 38 Hospitals/Healthcare ................................................................................................................. 39 Postal Service ............................................................................................................................ 39 Parks and Recreation................................................................................................................. 39 Transportation ........................................................................................................................... 40 Stormwater Management .......................................................................................................... 43 Public Participation...................................................................................................................................................... 44 Overview ................................................................................................................................... 44 Results of the PUBLIC MEETING .......................................................................................... 44 STRATEGIC PLAN .................................................................................................................................................... 45 Government............................................................................................................................... 45 Public Safety ............................................................................................................................