I strongly oppose the proposed Atlantic Fields development project on Route 24. Our area is already overwhelmed by unchecked development, and this project will only make matters worse. Route 24, Plantation Road and Route 1 are some of the most congested roads in Sussex County. Daily backups, long commutes and unsafe conditions are already the norm. Adding the traffic from another massive development will gridlock the corridor and endanger residents.
This traffic will spill over to Mulberry Knoll Road where there is a 55-plus community that only has one entrance/exit. This amount of traffic will make it extremely difficult for residents to enter and exit the community safely without some kind of traffic-control device. At a minimum, there should be a three-way stop at the intersection where the community entrance meets Mulberry Knoll Road. Most politicians I have spoken to indicate they understand, but planning and zoning, the state and county council continue to approve these projects without considering surrounding communities and their residents. The population explosion in our region has also pushed schools, healthcare and emergency services to the breaking point. Families struggle to get timely medical care, and response times continue to rise. These problems cannot be ignored while developers continue to profit from building projects that our infrastructure simply cannot support.
Responsible growth requires thoughtful planning, and that means ensuring roads, hospitals, schools and public safety are prepared before approving developments of this magnitude. The Atlantic Fields project does not meet that standard, and it should not be approved.
I urge our leaders to put residents first and protect the quality of life that makes Sussex County special.
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