The Kent County Regional Planning Commission held a public hearing Oct. 2 on a request to rezone about 30 acres of a roughly 39–40 acre parcel on Walnut Shade Road from RMH (residential manufactured home) to AC (agriculture conservation). The application includes a corresponding comprehensive‑plan amendment to change land‑use designation from medium‑density to low‑density residential.

Mike Ryman, an engineer with Becker Morgan Group, presented the rezoning and said the request focuses on approximately 30 of the property’s 39 acres so future development of the remainder could differ. Ryman said the owner, Michael Richards, lives on the adjoining parcel and that the land has been in the family for decades.

Zach Meyer, director of development for Soltage, described his company as a solar developer with projects in Delaware and elsewhere and said the rezoning is intended to allow a community solar facility as a future application. Meyer said Soltage is under a lease with the landowners and has been working with Delmarva Power on interconnection studies; he also noted the state’s community solar program requires allocations for low‑income subscribers. "Delaware’s community solar program does have 15% of all of its output must go to low income residents," Meyer said during his remarks.

Meyer and Ryman explained the site’s proximity to three‑phase distribution lines, which they said improves feasibility for a solar interconnection. Ryman pointed to recent nearby residential development and said much of the surrounding acreage is now zoned AC; the applicants argued AC zoning would be consistent with neighboring parcels if the commission approved the comprehensive‑plan amendment.

Planning staff summarized the county recommendation of denial. Staff said the parcel’s current medium‑density designation and RMH zoning allow higher residential density than AC, and that the county has an interest in preserving land suitable for diverse and affordable housing types. Staff also noted the applicant provided letters of no objection from DelDOT and Kent County Public Works concerning access and sewer capacity and a letter from the Office of State Planning was included in the file.

Several neighbors and the landowner spoke in favor. Owner Michael Richards said he and his wife have lived on the adjacent property for 51 years and that the family does not want a mobile‑home park or subdivision on the site. Kevin Boyd, who identified himself as owner of two nearby mobile‑home parks and other holdings in the area, spoke in favor of the rezoning and said he did not want additional traditional development that could increase traffic. Gay Sherwood, an adjacent resident, also voiced support.

One nearby resident, Richard Carter, spoke in opposition specifically to a solar‑panel farm use and asked the commission to preserve the agricultural appearance of the landscape. Commissioners asked questions about whether the rezoning would be contingent on a later solar application; staff and applicants made clear the rezoning and a future solar project are independent processes. Meyer said Soltage currently holds a lease and anticipates a long-term arrangement, and he described commercial practice for project finance and construction oversight.

The commission did not vote at the Oct. 2 hearing. The application will be on the commission’s Oct. 9 business agenda for consideration; any vote on rezoning would be separate from a future site‑specific solar plan and permitting review.