Sussex planner position’s time has come

Sussex County Council and its administrators have run a tight ship through the years, showing a steady degree of common sense that has helped the county weather the most severe economic downturn in 50 years. Fiscal responsibility has been a hallmark of Sussex. Its conservative approach in that realm shows no signs of changing.

The county has also made impressive progress over the years in cleaning up the waterways and protecting our drinking and swimming waters by pursuing installation of extensive regional wastewater treatment systems.

With its low taxes, clean environment and natural amenities offering a superior quality of life, Sussex County continues to attract new residents.  Although the county continues to work its way through hundreds of foreclosures caused by the economic downturn, housing sales are starting to climb. Few would predict that growth in the county will stop anytime soon.

A major factor fueling that growth is one of the most permissive zoning codes in the region. While permissive zoning helps drive the county’s economy, accompanying growth creates challenges for the council members as the final word in many land-use decisions. Land use is tricky business, especially when dealing with a county blessed with so many attractive natural amenities.  It’s no reach to label Sussex County, the largest county on Delmarva, as also the brightest gem on the peninsula.

Just as Sussex County Council has relied on trained financial advisers on staff to keep its financial house strong, it should also move ahead with hiring a professional planner to help it make informed land-use decisions.  For at least two years, the Sussex budget has included funding for a formally trained planner.

Now that it has a new county administrator in place, filling the professional planner position would fully equip council for making decisions over the next several years reflecting the overall best interests of this amazing part of the planet.

Solid common sense coupled with informed professional perspective provided by a county planner has the potential to make enlightened land use – which can only add strength to our economy - another hallmark of Sussex.