The following letter was sent to the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission with a copy provided to the Cape Gazette for publication.
In 2006, we made the decision to sell our beautiful, six-acre pondfront home on Route 9 because it had become seriously dangerous to access our driveway. The Delaware Department of Transportation was and is aware of dangers on Route 9, and despite decades of problems, it has not acted on many improvement proposals, citing funds, etc.
Now the cottage on River Road, which has been in our family since 1936, is being targeted for even more serious damage. Along with three other homes, the proposed entrance to Stillwater Harbor is directly across from us and at the very end of a dangerous blind curve in the road. It is impossible for us to forget the terrible accident when a woman was violently ejected from her car and her body hung from the telephone wires directly over the proposed entrance. Need I say more about traffic problems if accelerated to double current usage?
The most compelling problem is flooding, which no one denies; it traps people who need emergency help. Please provide documentation that land for an emergency access road has been secured before even thinking of moving forward. If there are solutions to improving River Road, why have they not been implemented? To tell the community that flooding will be controlled is insulting. Anyone who thinks DelDOT has funds to do so is not familiar with its track record or other projects that are already planned far into the future.
Sauter says “lessen impact”; Erickson says “immediate improvement.” Where is their proof? Where is the scientific documentation behind these gratuitous claims?
Among other serious issues (not in order of importance):
• Native Americans deserve respect for their burial grounds, artifacts and heritage
• Deforestation is a proven global issue that has scientifically documented adverse effects, including destroying native animal habitats and native flora.
Our family is committed to not giving up any of our property for access regardless of financial gain.
Any person with common sense would deny this development. Commenters that are in favor and are denying adverse impact issues should recuse themselves if monetary gain is involved.
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