I attended the Oct. 21 Sussex County Council meeting where the Atlantic Fields project was presented by the lawyer representing the developer and was addressed by members of council, followed by a steady stream of opponents who offered a multitude of incisive concerns. Many of the most serious concerns were related to traffic. While the concept of traffic on its surface may seem like just an annoying inconvenience, it is much more. There are very human consequences at stake.
One comes from the fact that Beacon Middle School and Love Creek Elementary are located less than a mile away from the proposed Atlantic Fields site. Should this shopping center be developed, what’s to stop schoolchildren from walking to Target or Costco or whatever stores may occupy the site? While the walk for elementary children will be challenging at best, what's even more of a concern is the likelihood of middle school kids not crossing Route 24 at the proposed lights, thinking they can beat the traffic. Combine that with a distracted driver, and the result could be tragic.
I was struck by the comments of Councilman Matt Lloyd, who proceeded to comment in favor of the Atlantic Fields project, citing as a positive point the fact that a hospital and emergency services are nearby. It seems he expects these kinds of devastating outcomes. And ironically, given the exponential increase in traffic volume, those services will likely struggle to reach the injured and/or the hospital in a timely manner in spite of their proximity.
I would ask Councilman Lloyd how he could possibly, in good conscience, support a location that would be sought by schoolchildren – at their peril. I sincerely hope county council will vote no on the zoning change. Atlantic Fields does not belong in this location.
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