Sussex council updates PLUS agreement with state
Sussex County Council has updated its 2003 memorandum of understanding with the Office of State Planning Coordination Preliminary Land Use Service.
The changes adopted by Sussex County Council at its March 5 meeting include language to allow a landowner or developer to present a request for a future land-use map amendment during a PLUS meeting. Until the change, they were not permitted to speak during the meeting.
“Now, the applicant will be able to present reasons why they want an amendment at PLUS along with Sussex County,” said assistant county attorney Vince Robertson.
In addition, the PLUS process cannot begin until after Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission has a public hearing on an amendment request.
Robertson said it will be a much more logical process. Planning & zoning commissioners could make a recommendation and council will have the PLUS report prior to a public hearing.
“It allows for a freer exchange of information,” Robertson said. “It’s better for the public, landowner, the state planning office and Sussex County.”
In addition, Robertson said, it was memorialized in the MOU that Sussex County has the final decision on all land-use applications.
