Three years after forming over concerns about development in the fastest-growing county in the state, Sussex Preservation Coalition has a seat at the table as new rules are being drafted, and it plans to expand its efforts to the south and west.

Plans for the organization of 4,500 members were outlined at a June 10 meeting attended by about 65 people in the Lewes Public Library. Among the group’s goals is growing to 8,000 members by next year.

SPC was formed by Jane Gruenebaum and Jill Hicks.

Gruenebaum was one of three candidates calling for curbs on development who beat incumbents to win seats on Sussex County Council in November. Those candidates now comprise a majority on the five-member council.

Hicks serves as SPC president. She was among 10 people appointed to a land-use reform working group, which is drafting proposed rules to govern development.

About a quarter of development in Sussex County in recent years has occurred in rural areas where the state has no plans to support it through infrastructure, Hicks noted. That has resulted in burdens on roads, emergency services, schools, healthcare providers and the environment.

The working group’s goals are to implement smarter and more sustainable development, ensure growth is supported by infrastructure, create an inventory of affordable workforce housing, preserve farmland and critical natural resources, and prevent housing sprawl.

SPC sees the $836 million Cool Spring Crossing housing development – which includes 1,922 homes and nearly a half-million square feet of commercial development – as its next challenge. Members cite several concerns, arguing that at a minimum, the project should not be considered until roads near the site off Route 9 west of Lewes are expanded to accommodate it, which will be years away.

“In 2024, we voted,” said coalition member Joe Pica said at the June 10 meeting. “The vote was [that] things need to change. This is the first opportunity that county council will have on a major issue of development since the new group has been seated.”

Five SPC members participated May 6 in a lengthy presentation about the project at the planning & zoning commission’s public hearing. Another presentation is planned if the plan reaches another hearing before county council, Pica said.

While Sussex Preservation Coalition has focused on the Lewes and Rehoboth Beach areas, there have been requests by people in areas to the west and south for help in addressing their own issues, Hicks said.

“For our expansion west and south, we’ll be looking to you for help,” Hicks told SPC members June 10. “Say you know of three people out in the Georgetown-Millsboro area or farther west, or maybe you know of three people down in the Bethany area who are really concerned about land use in this county or really concerned about our natural resources and want to do the work, please put them in touch with us.” 

Hicks said the land-use reform working group gives SPC a voice in shaping county rules.

“It’s a little bit weighted on the developers’ side, but I think we’re holding our own fairly well,” she said. 

SPC member Rich Borrasso said work will begin in less than six months on a new county comprehensive plan, a blueprint for development for 10 years, and the group will be very involved in the process. It is scheduled to be completed in 2028. 

Rallying public support will be important for accomplishing SPC’s goals, Hicks said. That includes promoting its causes through letters to the editor printed in newspapers, and having members attending county meetings and community events.

The process of influencing change can be daunting, Hicks concedes.

“When I get discouraged, I turn my discontent into positive momentum,” she said. “I’m asking everyone to do that going forward.”