Source: http://regulations.delaware.gov/register/december2014/proposed/18%20DE%20Reg%20456%2012-01-14.htm
Timestamp: 2018-07-20 22:25:28
Document Index: 305105922

Matched Legal Cases: ['§1309', '§132', '§8404', '§137', '§1309', '§1309']

Statutory Authority: 2 Delaware Code, Section 1309; 17 Delaware Code, Sections 132, 137 and 149; 29 Delaware Code, Section 8404
(2 Del.C. §1309, 17 Del.C. §§132, 137 & 149; 29 Del.C. §8404)
2406 Policies and Procedures for Acquisition of Certain Real Property Interests
In 2011, the Delaware Department of Transportation sought to adopt regulations to ensure that its policies and procedures for the acquisition of real property are transparent, consistent, cost effective, and fair.
The Department has broad statutory authority to acquire property in connection with state highway projects. However, an “Advanced Acquisition Committee” must review certain acquisitions of real property. The Department adopted past policies governing such acquisitions; nonetheless, these existing policies only applied to purchases of “fee simple” interests, and did not expressly apply to reservation agreements. In addition, while the Committee has the statutory authority to determine whether certain acquisitions are consistent with state planning goals, it does not have the power to determine the merits of such transactions.
The 2011 regulations were intended to implement specific recommendations for advanced acquisitions set forth in the Report of the Governor’s Chief of Staff to Governor Markell dated January 7, 2011 (the “Report”). Specifically, the regulations would (1) require that the Committee review not only advanced acquisitions, but reservation agreements as well; (2) provide a process for the Committee to review the merits of reservation agreements; (3) require the Department to obtain independent appraisal for advanced acquisitions and reservations; (4) require that advanced acquisitions and reservations be reviewed by legal counsel; (5) require that the terms of advanced acquisitions and reservations be reflected in an agreement signed by the Department and the property owner; and (6) set out the process for the Committee to conduct its consistency review of certain real property acquisitions proposed by the Department, as contemplated by 17 Del.C. §137(a)(2).
These draft regulations appeared in the Delaware Register of Regulations on February 1, 2011, at 14 DE Reg. 800, and the written comment period ended March 5, 2011.
Nonetheless, these regulations were not adopted. Instead, additional proposed regulatory changes were discussed with the Advanced Acquisition Committee during 2011, as well as among Department staff. No further action toward adoption took place thereafter, however.
The Department has now determined to go forward with draft regulations regarding the Committee and its oversight of this aspect of the Department’s responsibilities. The new draft regulations incorporate and amend the prior draft regulations published in 14 DE Reg. 800, taking into account changes in the Department’s management structure since that time, and add new provisions to reflect past discussions among the Administration, the Department, and the Committee. Among other alterations, these revised proposed regulations deal with certain special property acquisitions that are not necessarily tied to a particular project location, as is usually the case for properties it acquires for most highway-related projects. This draft incorporates these additional provisions.
In addition, the Delaware Transportation Authority, established under 2 Del.C. Ch. 13 and 14, occasionally acquires certain other real property interests for certain transportation facilities, pursuant to 2 Del.C. §1309(5). The Department’s Right-of-way Section conducts this acquisition work on behalf of the Authority. The Authority otherwise carries out its operational authorities through the use of certain corporate entities, such as the Delaware Transit Corporation, which acquires, owns, and operates transit maintenance facilities and other properties. Under §1309(5), the Authority may acquire these properties without approval from any other public body. However, with this draft the Department is considering the adoption of a review and comment procedure to be conducted by the Committee, for certain real property transactions conducted pursuant to the Authority’s separate legal powers.
The Department will take written comments on the proposed Regulations Establishing Policies and Procedures for Acquisition of Certain Real Property Interests from December 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. The proposed Regulations appear below.
robert.cunningham3@state.de.us
18 DE Reg. 456 (12/01/14) (Prop.)