The DEPARTMENT OF LAND USE AND PLANNING BOARD of New Castle County will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, December 3, 2008, in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Gilliam Building, 77 Reads Way, New Castle, DE, beginning at 7 p.m. to consider the following applications.  The order in which the applications are listed is subject to change.

App. 2008-0419-S.  South side Woodlawn Road, west of Concord Pike (US 202) and east of Thompson Bridge Road.  Major Land Development Preliminary Plan and TAC Review for The Pilot School proposes a 75,099 square foot school and associated facilities on 50.3366 acres.  SE (Suburban Estate) zoning district.  CD 2.

Considerations of rezonings may include zones other than those specified in the ordinances, and considerations for all other applications, including text amendments, may include changes other than those specified or requested in the proposals.  Time limitations will be imposed on speakers.  Information on all applications is available for public review in the Land Use Department, New Castle County Government Center, 87 Reads Way, Corporate Commons, New Castle, DE, from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.

Individuals needing reasonable accommodations according to the Americans with Disabilities Act, call 395-5400 (TT/TRY/T.D.: D.S., 1-800-232-5460) at least five business days before the meeting/hearing.

Pilot School officials would like to relocate the school from its current Garden of Eden Road site to a more scenic and spacious locale on Woodlawn Road. Click here to view the official status of the Woodlawn Road project on the County Land Use website.

• 8/18/08 - Pilot School plan: "unacceptable" recommendation from County Land Use...for now
• 8/29/08 - Board of Adjustments - Application Request - requesting an area variance from the 100 foot street yard setback to maintain a former dwelling to be converted to school use 68 feet from the Woodlawn Road right-of-way
• 9/15/08 - "Pilot School May Be Denied Sewer Access, Despite Eco-Friendly Design" Weiner: "I will support the community."
• 9/22/08 - Here is an electronic copy of the Department of Land Use Revised Exploratory Plan Report for 2008-0419-S Major Land Development Plan Pilot School.
• 10/14/08 - ForeSite Associates cover letter to NCC for The Pilot School Major Land Development Plan
• 10/15/08 - Preliminary Major Land Development Plan
• 11/5/08 - Notice of Public Hearing - Scheduled for Wednesday 12/3/08 at 7pm at 77 Reads Way.
• 11/13/08 - Department of Land Use Preliminary Plan Report

11/23/08 - UPDATE

Dear civic leaders and residents,

The Pilot School Board has issued a bid request for the existing site at 100 Garden of Eden Road. Here is the draft plan. Frank Maderich, President, Tavistock Civic Association, has formed a working committee of affected residents to work with Pilot School’s representative Jerry Heisler to explore options for the site which will be consistent with the community character. You may email Frank with questions or comments.
The working group had a getting to know each other and sharing views and concerns. Tentatively, the group will meet with Jerry Heisler and Kathy Craven (the school’s director) in early December with a similar purpose. No other meetings are planned before January.

The School’s plan to relocate to Woodlawn Rd has been moving at a much better pace, Heisler reports. They have moved from the Exploratory Plan to a Preliminary Plan which will be before the Planning Board on December 3. Jerry Heisler expects the Record Plan will be finalized by June.