Members of the Sussex County Council take an oath of office to place the public interest above all other interests. The question is whether the proposed Atlantic Fields development is, on balance, in the best long-term interest of the 278,000-plus citizens of Sussex County. I believe the answer is yes.
Atlantic Fields represents a unique and substantial economic development opportunity offering 1,700-plus permanent jobs, an increased tax base and a magnet for more quality residential and commercial development in the future.
The development includes several of the most prized retailers in the world, especially Costco, which is considered the gold standard in membership warehouse clubs. Along with the proposed Target, these retailers offer a wide range of goods, including groceries, at prices lower than other retailers currently found in coastal Sussex, thereby saving families money and increasing their standard of living.
In other words, if affordability is important to county council, several of the retailers part of Atlantic Fields will help lower the cost of living for Sussex Countians.
Bear in mind that if Atlantic Fields is denied, these retailers may never decide to locate in Sussex. Instead, they may choose sites in Kent County, the coastal area of Maryland or another location even farther away. The upshot is the opportunity for Sussex to have these highly desirable retailers may be lost forever along with all the economic, quality-of-life and cost-of-living benefits.
I respectfully disagree with those who believe Atlantic Fields will negatively impact local waterways, wildlife and local water and sewer systems. Assuming the developer retains first-class experts and contractors, I’m confident the development will be done right.
Additionally, although I respect those who express concerns about traffic, I think those concerns are overblown. In fact, a traffic impact study of the Atlantic Fields development met the requirements of and was approved by DelDOT. Further, it’s clear Sussex has plans to improve Route 24 in the future. Considering the benefits this development would offer for the next 50 years or more, I believe county council should find a more narrowly tailored remedy to traffic concerns other than an outright rejection of the project.
I hope Sussex County Council approves Atlantic Fields, which I believe is in the long-term public interest of all the citizens of Sussex County.
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