“It allows for growth densities that are higher than what is allowable today,” Patibanda said. “The neighborhoods are little groups of smaller detached housing units that are oriented around a common open space like a courtyard, a garden, a walkway and it’s intended to create smaller scale housing.”

Patibanda also pointed to existing models as inspiration. “There’s about 12 of [these homes] in Bellefonte … clustered around a common open space. That’s a great example of what a pocket community is and what we’re trying to achieve.”

Addressing a housing crisis

The ordinance also addresses Delaware’s severe affordable housing shortfall. According to the state’s housing authority, thousands of units are needed to meet demand, and New Castle County lags in production.

The pocket housing ordinance includes provisions for moderately priced dwelling units in developments over 25 homes, ensuring that affordability remains central to these projects.

“We expect them to be more affordable just right off the bat. And there’s an additional moderately priced dwelling unit requirement. If a pocket neighborhood goes above 25 units, then we actually require the developers or the home builders to set aside a certain percentage of that project to be what we call [Moderately Priced Dwelling Units]. And that’ll go into the county’s MPDU program, which is administered by the Department of Community Services.”

This initiative is part of a broader strategy that includes expanding accessory dwelling unit allowances and passing redevelopment legislation to convert underutilized properties into mixed-use housing. These combined efforts aim to provide a wider array of housing options for working families across the county.

With the ordinance now in place, the Department of Land Use hopes developers will seize the opportunity to bring pocket housing projects to life. While Patibanda acknowledges this initiative alone won’t solve Delaware’s housing crisis, she sees it as a meaningful step forward.

“Our vision is to see these communities take shape over the next five to 10 years,” she said. “We think these little neighborhoods will be very beneficial to Delawareans.”

Two teens have been charged with the Christmas Eve shooting death of a 14-year-old boy, Dover police said.

The teen boys, ages 13 and 15, have not been named by police, but the Dover department said the two have been charged with the second-degree murder of Juwan Walker. The two were being held at the Stevenson House Detention Center after failing to post $181,000 cash bail.

More: Dover teen dies days after being shot Christmas Eve

Walker was in a parked car on Willis Road, north of North Little Creek Road, about 6:50 p.m. on Tuesday when the two teens approached the vehicle and one fired several rounds at the vehicle before both fled the scene, police said.

Walker was taken to Bayhealth Hospital Kent Campus before being flown to Nemours Children’s Hospital, where he died on Friday, police said.

Armed with a search warrant, Dover’s Special Operations Response Team went to a home in the first block of Stevenson Drive on Saturday and arrested the 13-year-old boy there.

Dover detectives arrested the 15-year-old boy at an apartment in the 400 block of Country Drive.

In addition to the murder charge, each boy also faces charges of first-degree conspiracy, two weapons offenses, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.

Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.