Sussex Planning and Zoning Commission holds workshop

For about an hour local residents presented their comments, concerns and ideas to a panel of seven at the Council Chambers in the Administrative Building in Georgetown. 

The topic of discussion was the Comprehensive Plan that is a work in progress from the county's Planning and Zoning Commission, namely the Land Use Element.

Jeff Stone, a member of the Sussex Alliance for Responsible Growth, says this is the most important part of the plans and will have an effect on all county residents.

"Whether it's industrial, whether its commercial, whether its residential, whether its agricultural, this element determines where (funding) goes and to what intensity it goes.  So it is critical to anyone who is concerned about roads, or anything else affecting their residency here in the county."

Residents brought a variety of topics to the table from property rights, to better transportation, to how close chicken houses can legally be to property lines and dwellings.

Transportation was on many people's minds.  Ideas included improving alternate roads to alleviate congestion on main highways, and creating more options of transportation for "land-locked towns," or towns with one way in and out.

Another topic was technology and how it can be used to draw more companies and business to Sussex County, improving the quality of life in the process.

"One of the easy ways to do that is to utilize technology, and build technology centers around the area if that is possible," said Bill Andrew, President and CEO of Delaware Electric Co-Op who attended to deliver a statement as a member of the public.  "People love to come here, they come here every weekend.  We can continue to do this and provide better jobs for those that live here, its going to make Sussex County and the Delmarva Peninsula a much better place to live."

Following the public statement period the panel sat down with a consultant to go over goals for the plan that is scheduled to be finalized June 2018.  The goals outlined included balancing growth while preserving natural resources and open space, improving housing options, enhancing economic vitality while preserving the agricultural base and providing safer and more efficient transportation for people and goods.

The talks were described by Stone as "preliminary."  The next workshop to discuss the comprehensive plan will be Thursday, April 6th at 6 p.m.