Sussex County introduces proposed forest preservation rules
A draft ordinance to protect forests in future housing developments was introduced at the Sussex County Council meeting April 21, beginning the approval process.
The county has lost about 43,000 acres of woods over a 25-year period through 2023, making creation of limits on tree removal among the priorities as council pursues ordinances to redirect and improve housing development.
Council formed the Sussex County Land-Use Reform Working Group to study the issue and propose changes. Forest preservation was among the first five of the 20 recommendations to move forward.
Councilwoman Jane Gruenebaum said April 21 that changes to the draft rules are needed.
“I’m hoping we’ll take a second look, as this process rolls along, with the definition of forest,” Gruenebaum said. “I have some concerns about that and look forward to addressing that as the process continues.”
She also said she wants to include a statement explaining the importance of forests and why the ordinance was created.
“I think that there are some clarifications that I’ll be looking at and some further definitions as we go forward,” Gruenebaum said. “I think we have some more work to do, but I’m happy with getting this started.”
Assistant County Attorney Vince Robertson said he expects a lot of discussion during the review process.
Several sections of law would be revised to incorporate changes. They would apply to housing developments, including mixed uses that contain residential and commercial space, Robertson said at the April 14 council meeting.
Exceptions are minor subdivisions, which have fewer than five homes, Sussex County Rental Program projects and auxiliary dwelling units, he said.
A developer would have to hire certified forester to conduct a forest stand delineation for any wooded site. It would assess tree species, their age, condition and location, acreage, the boundaries of the 100-year floodplain and the size of the area that qualifies as a valuable forest that should be preserved.
The rules would limit tree removal to 50% of areas determined to be valuable forests in rural areas where the state and county do not support development and 30% in growth areas.
The only forest preservation rule now on the books involves buffer requirements for subdivisions. Critics say it has been ineffective in preserving forests.
The draft rules, created with the assistance of State Forester Kyle Hoyd, include one section on forest preservation and another on tree planting.
The tree planting rules set a minimum number of trees that must be planted in a development and specify which types of plants are acceptable. Forest preservation can count toward compliance.
The ordinance changes will be subject to public hearings before the county planning & zoning commission and county council and could be amended before a final vote by council.
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.
