Insanity: Noun; extreme foolishness or irrationality, this is exactly what Sussex County Planning and Zoning has been asked to consider Feb. 18, regarding Conditional Use Permit #2206 which if approved, will change 48.1 acres of farmland in Ocean View into a 198-unit, three-story apartment building complex. There is not another complex like the one being planned within one square mile of this proposed development. This area of the White’s Neck Peninsula only has single-family homes. The current proposal of three-story structures is completely out of character for this area, could result in a devaluation of existing properties, and will detrimentally affect the aspect of the land in this area.
The COVID-19 pandemic has taught a lot of people the true meaning of who is essential (and that includes this writer). I am certain anyone reading this today has a new appreciation for our essential workers, some of whom are financially unable to purchase a home of their own, but are entitled to both affordable and quality housing. There are a number of properties on Route 26 that are already zoned commercial that can be built upon to provide rental housing.
So why on this earth does the property owner/developer want to place these three-story structures in the middle of a soybean field? Well, for one, because they think they can and with minimal resistance. If I were a betting man, they will either get their way with P&Z or will have minimal conditions placed on them by Sussex County Council - Why? In the developer’s own words - eventually everyone else will wear down” …(Oct 2, 2015). So let’s test this theory….
The lion’s share of property owners who live here full time are seniors - the most vulnerable population to contract COVID-19. This same population of seniors is also reluctant to show up at the P&Z meeting in protest. A number of these same seniors are challenged by technology and will not call in or present online. My guess is these firms recognize this. Or could it be that the firms involved are counting on the fact that the large balance of taxpaying property owners that are only here during the summer months are simply unaware of this proposal? If these same property owners became aware, they may need to travel hours on a weeknight to attend the P&Z meeting in opposition of this complex. Could it also be that the developer is fully aware of the fact that our internet connection in this area is compromised, or are they counting on the number of cell phone dead zones that will prevent any property owner from presenting their cases because of poor connections? One needs to look no further than the firms that this developer has hired to push this proposal through - the property owners have only themselves to defend their rights.
Sussex County Planning and Zoning has been charged with protecting the property owners of this county, to ensure that any project being proposed is appropriate for the area. Proposal #2206 should be given two thumbs down - right out of the gate. Everyone on our peninsula recognizes that the owner has a right to build on their property, but the current property owners have rights too! And we, the property owners, are the majority!
So, here we are once again, about to be bullied by a multimillion-dollar New Castle County developer. Spare us the holier-than-thou, affordable housing verbiage - ultimate goal: line their collective pockets at the expense of the current property owners. If you are reading this, and think it is not your battle, or this doesn’t affect you - think again. If #2206 is approved, this will set a precedent for all of Sussex County, and it could be coming to a neighborhood near you soon!
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