A turning point for Sussex County’s  development climate?

367
Advertisement

Good afternoon,

After rubber stamping  similar projects over the years,  the Sussex County Council recently  rejected a plan to build a Wawa-style  7-Eleven convenience store with gas pumps in a developing area  near Georgetown.

It was followed by reports of a contentious hearing over a 227-home development that drew an overflow crowd, Some claimed they were  barred from entering the room and saying their piece.

At around the same time, the county Planning and Zoning Commission approved a massive 600 home development near Georgetown, but only if the project is phased in over several years   and road improvements are made.

It is no surprise that new  projects will see additional scrutiny. Transportation improvements are running far behind the pace of development. The low-lying nature of the county often leads to clashes over wetlands and other environmental features.

Advertisement

Also, the inventory of approved  home sites that piled up from the previous recession has been sharply reduced if not eliminated.

We also have the natural tendency of recent residents seeking a slower-paced lifestyle to look around and become uneasy  in witnessing sprawl and traffic congestion.

One major failing that can be blamed on both the state and the county is the lack of more densely developed   town centers  that could have resulted in up front  infrastructure improvements as well as schools, businesses, parks and other amenities  that allow more walking or short drives.

Instead, we see scattered   residential developments and strip centers  as well as  a rising traffic death  toll.

It may be too late to assemble a town center, but any developer that could put such a project together would  do well by doing good.

Here’s hoping you enjoyed the spring-like weather over the weekend.

Was this Email passed along by a friend or co-worker? If so, sign up for our free subscription.– Doug Rainey, chief content officer.

Advertisement
Advertisement