I am not a native-born Sussex Countian. Like many of us who read this paper, I have transplanted here from somewhere else. Like many who have relocated here, my wife and I chose to make the move because of the quality of life, the wildlife, the beach, lower taxes, and many other wonderful reasons. I know those reasons are why many others desire to move here and will continue to have that desire in the coming years.
I cannot in good conscience raise a voice against the wishes of others to move into this area or for the desire of landowners to want to develop homes and services to account for the county’s growing population. I can, however, raise my voice to strongly suggest that state, county and local officials who approve these developments and facilitate the improvements to our roads allow development in a smart, strategic and coordinated fashion.
To me, this means that our region’s future development account for present demands but also think to the future, in the case of people who are my age and younger (I’m 42). We don’t necessarily want large homes and spaced-out subdivisions with little in the way of amenities. Walkability plus access to services and business matter tremendously to me. I am excited about the prospects of the rail trail connecting Lewes to Georgetown and hope for future trail connections throughout our region in the years to come.
Having subdivisions that are connected to services by trail or by sidewalk will eliminate the need to get into a car and help to mitigate some of the congestion woes on local roads. My apologies for those who drive Route 9 toward the Cape Region in the morning rush or out toward Georgetown at the end of the day. Many of our major and minor roads are full of local traffic out of season, yet more development is on the horizon without the corresponding full improvement of these roads to allow for that development.
Land planning and smart growth strategies should be looked at as part of a long-term approach to managed growth, but it must occur with the state doing its part to ensure local roads are built to future capacity and fast-tracking projects that are being “talked about” to ensure they are built in a reasonable timeline. If that cannot occur, then development needs to be slowed or coordinated to only where the road improvements have occurred or are in process. This goes beyond the county’s newly adopted long-term plan; it requires a stronger, more thorough look at land use going forward and how development can be managed properly. It is imperative that the county and local communities be more thoughtful in how development occurs.
I do believe there is room for both future growth and for us who reside here now, and that it can be done to where everyone, including our environment, wins out. However, it requires leadership at multiple levels, and collaboration between state and local officials. My sense is not enough of that occurs given some of the challenges that we are facing at present. My encouragement to our elected and appointed officials is to see to it that partnership happens soon and that it not only be “talk” but true collaborative action.
Tom Thunstrom
Lewes
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