What does growth mean? Slow and organic expansion that is noticeable, or an exponential expansion that our eyes cannot keep up with?
Growth areas must be capacity controlled – traffic, drinking water source, first responders, schools, etc. We have witnessed the lament of uncontrolled growth in many towns and counties across the country. We must study the capacity of major resources and infrastructure, and then decide whether the area can handle more development.
For example, if Route 24 is almost maxed out with 20,000 vehicle trips per day and 3,000 during peak hours, we cannot add 6,000 daily vehicle trips for Belle Mead or 26,000 for Atlantic Fields.
In the case of drinking water sources, Rehoboth Beach’s water restriction in the summer is still fresh in our memory. Tidewater Utilities’ 2022 annual water quality report states the Rehoboth/Lewes Pump District was interconnected with Angola Pump District as of June 14, 2022. It also shows that Rehoboth District’s susceptibility for all tested contaminants as either exceed, high or very high. Was the Rehoboth water source getting constrained and needed water from elsewhere? Will it eventually affect Angola’s water supplies too? I raised these questions in the past, but no one paid attention. Lewes’ Wellhead Protection Area was moved inland years ago due to saltwater intrusion. Doesn’t it make sense that the overpumping of underground water near the ocean creates the vacuum that pulls in saltwater?
Truly, what is the water capacity of the so-called growth areas? Can residents be assured their children and grandchildren will not have to scramble for water?
Another problem with the idea of directing developments to growth areas is that it exacerbates the affordable housing crisis! Just decentralize job/economic centers and spread them around town centers where the state intends to invest. This will bring much-needed economic boosts to western Sussex where employees can find affordable housing.
Do I mean indiscriminate spreading of any commercial or business developments in the rural areas? No! The farmlands and recreational spaces must be preselected and preserved by compensating landowners fairly.
I do not understand why council members from western Sussex are not actively pursuing the economic opportunities for their constituents as an integral part of their jobs.
Spreading the likes of Atlantic Fields and Belle Meade away from Coastal Highway will help in many ways the county as a whole! Furthermore, it will be in line with DelDOT's long-time effort to route the beach traffic between Milford and Bethany Beach through Route 113.
-
A letter to the editor expresses a reader's opinion and, as such, is not reflective of the editorial opinions of this newspaper.
To submit a letter to the editor for publishing, send an email to viewpoints@capegazette.com. All letters are considered at the discretion of the newsroom and published as space allows. Due to the large volume of submissions, we cannot acknowledge receipt of each submission. Letters must include a phone number and address for verification. Keep letters to 400 words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit for content or length. Letters should be responsive to issues addressed in the Cape Gazette rather than content from other publications or media. Letters should focus on local issues, not national topics or personalities. Only one letter per author will be published every 30 days regarding a particular topic. Authors may submit a second letter within that time period if it pertains to a different issue. Letters may not be critical of personalities or specific businesses. Criticism of public figures is permissible. Endorsement letters for political candidates are no longer accepted. Letters must be the author’s original work, and may not be generated by artificial intelligence tools. Templates, form letters and letters containing language similar to other submissions will not be published.
