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Does planning & zoning ever deny a project?

July 11, 2025

I recently read an article where the chair of the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission mentioned the status quo. 

My family has owned our home in Briarwood Estates off John J. Williams Highway since 2002. When we drove into our development in 2002, Hart’s Farm was on the west and Winswept Stables was on the east side of Tanglewood Drive. That has all changed. We now have Hart’s Landing homes and Saddle Ridge homes. Both of those developments were the beginning of changing the status quo, and we accepted it. 

We welcomed the building of Beacon Middle School, which our daughter attended, and soon after, Love Creek Elementary School. We all know schools are an important part of a community. 

Let me go back to status quo.  Out of the three counties in Delaware, Sussex County is the fastest-growing county. Currently, there is ongoing construction of a Wawa on John J. Williams Highway at Mulberry Knoll Road, and just a short distance east, a Waves Car wash is under construction. Information also has it that a major shopping center is in the plans for the west side of John J. Williams Highway and Mulberry Knoll Road. I am not done yet. West of the forever two-lane Love Creek Bridge is the construction of another shopping center. So, what is the status quo?

Does the planning & zoning commission ever deny a project? I would like to see some statistical data on that. 

I propose county council consider making Belle Mead a county park like New Castle Carousel Park. The Delaware State Police would be able to have a stable for their mounted unit in Sussex County, along with Beacon Middle School and Love Creek Elementary School, and to enjoy nature trails. 

Does this sound like a farfetched idea? Well, it is. But so is building a development that will increase the traffic in an already congested and dangerous road.

Neil Trugman
Lewes
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