Does anyone see the parallel between the past 20-plus years of growth in the eastern Sussex County and the Peter Principle of hierarchical promotion structure – where competent employees will continue being promoted as they learn skills and display competency at the new position, until they get stuck where they are now incompetent in performing tasks required for the new position? Do you see how the beautiful coastal/growth areas in Sussex County grew so fast with continued rave reviews and are about to get stuck in doom?
Eastern Sussex County had been viewed as a rural gem in the Mid-Atlantic region, and many retirees like me found it a nice place to live. Sussex government spread the welcome mat with brand-new subdivisions converted from agricultural fields and with low taxes. The good revenue stream gave a sugar high, and the county kept approving more subdivisions. The roads were widened, and sewer networks grew. Meanwhile, wetlands and floodplains were covered with houses, some even on stilts, and roads were elevated. Mature woodlands gave their ghosts to houses and roads.
Screams from the residents get louder as each huge development threatens to change the character of the place we know and tests the infrastructure limits. Take Cool Spring Crossing, Northstar, Belle Mead, Atlantic Fields ...
Please tell me how the traffic situation will not get worse as Costco and Target open businesses spewing endless streams of cars and freight trucks off Route 24. If one is approved, it will open floodgates of urban development in eastern Sussex, and there will be no return. Are we ready for that? Should we give up on Sussex County being a nice place to live?
The sought-after coastal growth areas are at the saturation point. Particularly, when already-jammed Routes 24, 26 and 54 are backed up with unexpected delays, there are often no alternate routes because of the bays on one side. The coastal areas around Routes 24, 26 and 54 cannot function as growth areas any longer. The arcane land-use map and zoning code must be revamped.
Sussex County Council may soon make decisions on Cool Spring Crossing, Belle Mead and Atlantic Fields that will dictate the direction of Sussex County. It is time for the residents and decision-makers to stand up, arm in arm, and push back the wall of urban invasion and say no!
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