County councilman wants to replace P&Z chair

Robert C. Wheatley, a 30-year member of the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission and its longtime chair, is expected to be replaced in the continuing backlash against booming development in the county.

The move was announced at the June 17 county council meeting by Councilman Matt Lloyd, one of three new members elected in the fall to replace incumbents on the five-member panel. Rather than reappoint Wheatley as his district’s representative after Wheatley’s three-year term ends June 30, Lloyd announced he had chosen Jeff Allen of Laurel.

“It’s something we’ve talked about many times before, but during the election, the voters gave us a mandate for pretty significant change, particularly in how we manage growth, development and land use generally,” Lloyd said.

“I think it’s important that we reassess our growth, as we have been through some different initiatives, but particularly in the areas where the consequences of our decisions shape the future of the county and are irreversible,” he added.

He cited the need to address workforce housing, infrastructure adequacy and sustainable growth.

Lloyd also noted that he’s looking to make a change in representation of his district on the board of adjustment, a seat held by Kevin Carson since 2019. He did not elaborate or name a successor to Carson. 

Lloyd said his decision should not be taken as a criticism of Wheatley.

“Regarding the planning & zoning commission, Mr. Bob Wheatley has served the county and the First District faithfully for three decades,” Lloyd said. “His dedication and leadership are commendable, and he has been a good leader and a great administrator of the process. Allow me to say this decision is in no way a reflection on his service, or the credit or recognition that he deserves.”

“I’m disappointed,” Wheatley said June 19. “I’m a little puzzled. If the council wants to take a different direction, the planning & zoning commission takes its direction from the county council. The commission doesn’t make the rules. That’s the county council’s job.”

He said he had served about 15 years as commission chair.

Councilman John Rieley praised Wheatley’s work on the commission after the June 17 meeting.

“In balance, Bob has done a tremendous service to the county over 30 years,” Rieley said.

Wheatley was instrumental in helping to draft conditions placed on developments, and his experience and extensive knowledge of the law were crucial to the work of the commission, Rieley said. 

The commission has been blamed by some for the housing boom that has overburdened roads, schools, healthcare providers, emergency services and the environment, but Rieley said Wheatley and the commission were working within state and county rules.

“Planning & zoning takes the heat,” Rieley said. “They work within the law … They check all the boxes.”

Lloyd said after the meeting that he has known Allen for a long time and approached him about the position on the commission. The two have similar perspectives, Lloyd said.

“At the end of the day, it was a change in perspective, a fresh look,” he said. “I trust his judgment. I trust his character. He has the aptitude for the role.”

Lloyd provided Allen’s background after the meeting and said he would introduce him at a July meeting. Lloyd said Allen does not want to comment to the news media about his new position. 

“He wants to avoid politics and engaging with the press,” Lloyd said.

Allen is an insurance claims manager, and a former Laurel school board member and Laurel police officer. He worked for the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control as a forest ranger for 22 years and owns Allen Irrigation and Landscape Service in Laurel. He previously was co-owner of Laurel Body Shop.

Council is tentatively scheduled to interview Allen at its first meeting in July and may vote on his appointment at that meeting, Lloyd said.

The three-year term would begin in early July, and Allen would join the commission for its second meeting of the month.

The appointment must be approved by a majority of the council, but Council President Douglas Hudson and Rieley, the two remaining members from last year’s council, said after the meeting it is Lloyd’s choice.

The replacement of Wheatley is the second bombshell dropped by Lloyd since his term began in January. Shortly after taking office, he called for a moratorium on review of new large housing subdivision applications.

The idea drew objections from developers, builders, contractors and other business leaders, and it failed to gain support among the other council members. Council responded by creating a 10-member land-use reform working group that has in recent months been working toward a proposed countywide overhaul of zoning and land-use regulations.

“To move forward effectively, I believe we benefit from a shift in perspective, one that reflects the ideology and views that I ran on,” Lloyd said.