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Change in the Sussex County P&Z Commission cast

August 29, 2016

The Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission – second in power rankings only to county council – will have a much different cast of characters as the process to rewrite the county's comprehensive land-use plan gets underway. The commission will be down two experienced members who consistently went way beyond the call of duty as commissioners.

Rodney Smith, who served for 12 years, retired earlier this year, and Mike Johnson of Georgetown, who served for 11 years, is stepping down at the end of August. Smith has been replaced by Doug Hudson of the Dagsboro area, while no replacement has been made for Johnson.

There is a big learning curve for new commissioners, who take on the job as appointees without any real training. I'm sure they receive advice from staff and the county's legal team, but understanding the complexities of the county's code and policies is not something anyone could grasp in a short time.

This year's county council primary and election could also play a role in the future of the commission.

Commissioner I.G. Burton of Lewes, appointed in 2005, is one of four Republicans running for the District 3 council seat. If he wins, the commission will have three new members who will have a lot to learn about the land-use process.

Should that scenario come to pass, that would leave Chairman Bob Wheatley of Laurel (21 years) and Marty Ross of Delmar (seven years) as the senior members.

Some might say that the commission only recommends decisions to county council, but that is only half true.

It's the commission that rules on all subdivisions that do not require rezoning and also reviews and approves all site plans. The commission also comments on all ordinances and plays a major role in providing assistance to council as it goes through the laborious process of writing the county's land-use plan due in June 2018.

While county council members do have the final say on most land-use applications, you can't discount the role the planning and zoning commission plays.

The two – or three – new members need to hit the ground running.

 

  • Ron MacArthur has lived and worked in Sussex County all his life. As a journalist for nearly 50 years, he has covered everything from county and town meetings to presidential visits. He also has a unique perspective having served as an elected official and lived on both sides of the county.

    Contact Ron at ronm@capegazette.com

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