Panel begins to narrow suggestions for Sussex County development rules
A panel created to study and recommend changes to Sussex County laws to rein in booming development began to consider suggestions for where development and growth are most appropriate during its May 19 meeting.
The overall task of the group is to draft proposals that will implement smarter, sustainable development; ensure growth is supported by infrastructure; address affordable/workforce housing needs; preserve farmland and natural resources; and prevent low-density, uncoordinated sprawl.
The working group focused its May 19 meeting on supporting smart, sustainable growth; ensuring infrastructure-efficient growth; and preventing low-density sprawl.
Smart growth is a planning approach that aims to create sustainable, livable communities by aligning development with infrastructure, protecting natural resources, and promoting diverse housing and transportation choices. It considers issues such as mixed land use, compact building design, walkable neighborhoods, preservation of open spaces, variety of transportation choices, housing opportunity and choices, attractive communities, strengthening existing communities, encouraging stakeholder cooperation, and predictable, fair and cost-effective decisions.
“We think we’re on pace and we hope to continue as we move forward with today’s meeting,” said David Bing, the meeting coordinator.
The group considered where and how to limit growth in areas defined as town centers; corridor and mixed-use areas; edge neighborhood/municipal adjacent; residential neighborhood; low-density subdivision; rural/agricultural areas; and natural/sensitive lands.
It considered in each of those areas allowing mixed-use, multifamily, and duplex, triplex and quad buildings as permitted uses; growth and infill areas; reduced lot sizes, and easing setback and other lot standards; increasing building heights; and offering affordable housing incentives.
Members agreed to support those changes for all but low-density, rural/agricultural, and natural and sensitive areas. But they opposed increased building heights in residential neighborhoods.
The group also considered where to recommend transportation-connected areas; street grid or connectivity requirements; pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure; transportation improvement districts; and reduced parking requirements.
They supported them in town centers, corridor and mixed-use areas, and municipal-adjacent neighborhoods. There was no agreement for residential neighborhoods and opposition for such rules in low-density, rural/agricultural areas and natural/sensitive lands. Regarding transportation improvement districts in low-density subdivisions, there was also no agreement.
While they discussed what kinds of limits to impose in different areas of unincorporated Sussex County, the process was complicated by confusion over which descriptions best applied to which areas.
“I do feel like some of the confusion around the conversation today was trying to understand what we were talking about these things, where are we? What does this really look like? I think that made the exercise difficult,” said Mike Riemann, a representative of the American Council of Engineering Companies.
“I do think we need to get to where the rubber meets the road and start talking a little bit about growth zones …,” added Riemann, who serves as president of Home Builders Association of Delaware. “Where they might be. How you might figure that out.”
That discussion is expected to continue at the next meeting at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 12.
The group’s schedule calls for drafting recommendations during the second quarter of the year, finalizing and presenting suggestions to Sussex County Council in the third quarter, and council prioritizing that list, and begin the public hearing process toward ordinances and comprehensive plan updates in the fourth quarter.
Kevin Conlon came to the Cape Gazette with nearly 40 years of newspaper experience since graduating from St. Bonaventure University in New York with a bachelor's degree in mass communication. He reports on Sussex County government and other assignments as needed.
His career spans working as a reporter and editor at daily newspapers in upstate New York, including The Daily Gazette in Schenectady. He comes to the Cape Gazette from the Cortland Standard, where he was an editor for more than 25 years, and in recent years also contributed as a columnist and opinion page writer. He and his staff won regional and state writing awards.
Conlon was relocating to Lewes when he came across an advertisement for a reporter job at the Cape Gazette, and the decision to pursue it paid off. His new position gives him an opportunity to stay in a career that he loves, covering local news for an independently owned newspaper.
Conlon is the father of seven children and grandfather to two young boys. In his spare time, he trains for and competes in triathlons and other races. Now settling into the Cape Region, he is searching out hilly trails and roads with wide shoulders. He is a fan of St. Bonaventure sports, especially rugby and basketball, as well as following the Mets, Steelers and Celtics.
