Sussex land-use applications increase in FY2022

It comes as no surprise that land-use applications in Sussex County are increasing.

During the annual comprehensive plan report to Sussex County Council June 28, Planning & Zoning Director Jamie Whitehouse provided a land-use update and progress report.

Counties and municipalities are required by state law to review and update comprehensive plans every 10 years, and also provide annual updates on the progress of implementation.

From July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022, the county received 32 subdivision applications comprising 3,334 lots, which is down slightly from the previous year's total of 34 applications. However, the number of lots is much higher than the 1,817 lots in FY2021.

Applications for conditional uses and rezonings have increased over the past two years. The county received 83 conditional-use applications in FY2022, compared to 55 in FY2021 and 41 in FY2020. The county received 42 applications for rezonings in FY2022, compared to 21 in FY2021 and 30 in FY2020.

Funds in transportation district

Funds accumulated so far in the Henlopen Transportation Improvement District show the pace of development in eastern Sussex County.

Whitehouse reported that 13 projects are included within the 24 square miles of the district. Developers pay a fee per housing unit, or by square footage for commercial projects. He said the amount of financial commitments for the district is $4.4 million to fund road projects within the district.

Among the top district contributions are three subdivisions, including two that have been approved, Scenic Manor with 319 units along Mulberry Knoll Road, $1.6 million, and Cardinal Grove with 98 units along Beaver Dam Road, $486,864; and one under construction, Chase Oaks with 253 units along Robinsonville Road, $1.25 million.

Sewer connections expanding

The county's central sewer system expansion is continuing, Whitehouse said.

Systems for Herring Creek, Conley's Chapel Village and Mulberry Knoll Road are under construction. In the near future, construction will begin on several other connection projects, including Pintail Point, Mallard Creek and Lochwood. Other areas with projects in various stages of design include Oak Acres, Joy Beach, Slaughter Beach and Long Neck communities. Other areas being brought into a sewer district and in the pipeline for design are Briarwood Estates, Blackwater Village, North Georgetown and Indian River Acres.

Other areas under consideration for potential connections are John Burton Manor, Warwick Park, Warwick Cove and Gull Point.

During the last fiscal year, the county completed installation of a water transmission system for the residents of the Greater Ellendale Water District.

Housing initiatives

In June, Sussex County Council approved an additional 32 units for Coastal Tide Apartments, which is the lone participant in the county's affordable rental unit program. Eighteen of the existing 166 units are occupied by renters earning less than 80% of the county's median income. The complex is located off Plantation Road near Lewes.

The county launched its Sussex County Housing Trust Fund in June with funding by the county and federal American Rescue Plan Act. The fund includes direct homeowner assistance for up to $30,000 for down payment and closing costs for residents based on income, and a developer grant program up to $500,000 per project for applicants seeking to create or preserve affordable housing for low- to moderate-income residents.

The Sussex County Community Development and Housing Department assisted 270 low- and moderate-income, owner-occupied households with rehabilitations, emergency repair projects, and water and sewer hookups totaling more than $2 million.

Open-space preservation

Whitehouse said under the county's cluster development ordinance, more than 453 acres of land were preserved as open space in 18 subdivisions, an increase from 362 acres in fiscal 2021. Under the ordinance, lot sizes and lot widths are reduced for subdivisions providing a minimum of 30% of a parcel as open space.

At the end of the fiscal year, the county officials announced a series of open-space land purchases totaling 151 acres and more than $5 million. Those include Hopkins Farm Preserve, 51 acres along Sweetbriar Road near Lewes; Jones family tract, 47 acres along Conaway Road near Midlands Wildlife area west of Millsboro; Dawson brothers tract, 40 acres on the south side of Route 24 near the Nanticoke Indian Center between Long Neck and Millsboro; and Dorman Family Farm Preserve, 13 acres adjoining a larger parcel acquired by the county in 2020 along Herring Creek and Sarah Run near Angola.

Buffer ordinance approved

In May, county council approved an updated wetland buffers and drainage ordinance. Among the provisions are an increase of buffers from 50 feet to 100 feet around new residential developments that adjoin tidal wetlands and waterways; a new 30-foot buffer requirement for new developments along non-tidal wetlands and intermittent streams; prohibition of clear-cutting of trees and other vegetation in buffer areas; and penalties up to $10,000 a quarter-acre per occurrences for damage to buffers and forested areas.

For more information, go to sussexcountyde.gov/sites/default/files/packets/SCC.Public.Packet.062822_0.pdf.