Sussex P&Z Commission chairman steps down

After nine years, Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commissioner Martin “Marty” Ross has stepped down. He had served as chairman the past year.

“I've retired four times now, and it's time to play more golf. I need to work on my handicap,” he said.

Ross said the commission could not function without a dedicated staff working with them.

At the end of his final meeting June 28, two former commission members he served with stepped up to the podium to wish him well.

Mike Johnson said he had to do his homework to keep up with Ross. Johnson said he has reviewed all subdivisions that he and Ross did not agree on. “Time will tell I was right,” he said with a big smile.

“I've never seen a commissioner work so hard,” Johnson said. “For your hard work on the land-use plan, I thank you as a taxpayer.”

“Marty is a true son of Sussex County,” said Rodney Smith. “He's a friend and a great individual. We didn't always see eye to eye, but you had better be prepared to argue your points. He knew zoning, and he cared so much about it.”

At that point, Smith said he was reading the same comments he used when former planning and zoning director Lawrence Lank retired. “I've got nothing,” he said as he sat down.

“I feel the love,” Ross quipped.

“We've not always agreed, but he has always been positive,” assistant county attorney Vince Robertson said, adding Ross forced staff to look beyond the ways things have always been done.

Robertson said he has worked with three commission chairmen – Ross, Bob Wheatley and Jack Allen. “We have been fortunate with the chairmen we've had,” he said. “The planning and zoning commission is one of the best-run bodies we have in Sussex County. I hear that all the time.”

A lifelong resident of Sussex County, Ross is a retired farmer who lives near Delmar with his wife, Chris.

At its June 19 meeting, council approved the appointment of Holly Wingate of Millville to replace Ross.

On the current commission, Bob Wheatley, District 5, who was appointed in 1995, is the only commissioner with more than two years’ experience. Keller Hopkins, District 2, and Doug Hudson, District 4, were appointed in 2016, and Kim Hoey Stevenson, District 3, joined the commission in 2017. Commissioners serve three-year terms.