Commission wants more accurate population numbers

Sussex County officials say population projections presented in the proposed 2018 comprehensive plan could be off by as much as 100,000 people.

During a March 8 workshop, Planning and Zoning Commissioner Marty Ross said if the number is not corrected, the plan would be based on incorrect population data, which he called a glaring error in the 2008 plan.

Ross said the projected population growth in the plan over the next 30 years is 46,500 new residents, but that does not include second-home buyers who live part time or vacation in eastern Sussex.

Ross said based on building permit averages, he estimates the real population growth number could be as high as 100,000 additional part-time residents. “It’s a big issue; we have to do better getting part-time and full-time population,” Ross said. “We need to plan for the total. We can’t discount that number because it’s plaguing us today.”

McCormick Taylor consultant Alexis Williams and Sussex County Director of Planning and Zoning Janelle Cornwell told Ross that neither the state nor the U.S. Census does provide that data. Even so, the commission directed them to come back with a best-guess estimate at a future workshop.

“We have to plan using that number. We have to find it somehow. We can’t ignore two-thirds of the population,” Ross said. “We did not account for them, and now we are in a hole in a number of ways.”

He said traffic, emergency services and sewer service are just three services stressed by the impact of using inaccurate population numbers.

Commissioner Keller Hopkins said the number also does not reflect how many second-home buyers eventually choose to move permanently to the county. “The planning we are doing could be skewed by as much as 400 percent,” he said.

Outreach to towns as part of plan

During a discussion of the future-land-use chapter, commissioners stressed the importance of reaching out to the county's towns to garner input. Assistant county attorney Vince Robertson said that outreach did not occur for the 2008 plan. But Cornwell said that process is taking place this time around.

Ross said county and town officials must work together in an effort not to stymie growth in future annexation areas around towns. He said the commission needs the answers to three questions related to towns and sewer expansion. 1. Where are future county expansions planned? 2. Where are towns planning to expand sewer service? 3. What are the real future annexation areas around towns?

“If you don't talk to the towns, you are wasting your time,” said former Bridgveille mayor and former county administrator Joe Conaway during the public comment session. “You are on the right page.”

As commissioners discussed future-land-use scenarios, it appears they are serious about the creation of an agricultural zoning district.

“We need to help maintain the vitality of the industry,” Ross said. “It might be a little out of our comfort zone but it should be a matter of discussion.”

Commission Chairman Bob Wheatley agreed. “We need to keep our options open. The best way to preserve farming is to keep farming profitable,” he said. “Most farmers don’t want to sell their land. We need to take the opportunity to help farmland stay farmland in the new plan.”

Ross said the commission should also consider providing incentives to preserve natural resources.

Historic preservation in the county

With the assistance of the county's historic preservation planner, Dan Parsons, and the consultants, the commission began the task of writing the historic preservation chapter, one of 10 elements that make up the plan.

Consultant Williams suggested the commission add the county's role in historic preservation, which was not included in the 2008 plan.

The commission was not in favor of a proposed ordinance – which has been on the books since the last plan was adopted – to create a waiting period for demolition of historic buildings. The ordinance would not prevent demolition when no other alternative was feasible, but would create a time period to explore other options including relocation, restoration, rehabilitation or preservation.

Parsons makes inventories of demolished historic buildings in the county.

Consultants will provide a draft of the chapter to the commission at the next workshop.

Series of workshops over next two months

The commission is scheduling a series of workshops – and allowing time for public comment – over the next two months. The next round of public meetings will take place in May at five locations throughout the county. The next workshop is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, March 22, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown. Another workshop has been scheduled for 9 a.m., Wednesday, March 29. Public comment sessions have been scheduled from 9-9:30 a.m. and 1-1:45 p.m. at each session. Other workshops will be posted on the plan’s website at sussexplan.com.

Public can comment on plan's vision statement

In an effort to fine-tune a vision statement for the plan, the plan website now has a draft vision statement for public comment. Go to sussexplan.com.

“Sussex County offers a unique quality of life for its residents and visitors alike. We appreciate and seek to preserve its unique natural, historical and agricultural character while fostering new economic opportunities and desirable growth. To accomplish this, Sussex County will balance the welfare of its citizens and its role as an agricultural leader and tourist destination with the most appropriate future uses of land, water and other resources.”