Growth demands real planning now

Sussex County Council’s decision to begin updating its comprehensive plan a year early is not just prudent, it’s also the right thing to do. For years, the county has been caught between its reputation as a fast-growing coastal destination and its responsibility to preserve the rural character, farmland and natural beauty that make it special. Now, after years of rapid development, council seems to recognize the pace and shape of growth can no longer go unchecked.

The recently formed land-use reform working group – with members from both the preservation and development communities – laid out a clear set of goals: limit sprawl, diversify housing options and protect the environment. Those objectives strike at the heart of what many Sussex residents have been demanding – a smarter, more sustainable approach to planning. Rapid construction has strained roads, schools, emergency services and healthcare systems. While the slower beach lifestyle is one of Sussex County’s defining features, so are traffic congestion and a lack of affordable workforce housing.

Councilman Steve McCarron’s push to start the comprehensive plan process immediately was the right move. Waiting until the end of next year to begin work would have been irresponsible. Following the land-use reform working group’s hard work and recommendations, the time to act is now. The decision to begin the comp plan update early shows that the newly elected council members – who campaigned on reining in overdevelopment – intend to make good on promises.

The news that Sussex will also receive state funding and consulting support through a Delaware Housing Authority pilot program is another encouraging step. It will allow the county to move forward on immediate reforms, such as updating its subdivision code and strengthening the Sussex County Rental Program, while setting the stage for long-term policy changes through the comprehensive plan.

This process will take time, and it must include genuine public participation, but the county’s new resolve to balance growth with preservation is the first sign in years that Sussex is ready to take control of its own future. This isn’t about halting development; it’s about guiding Sussex County’s growth in a smart way to ensure it remains one of the country’s greatest gems.