Sussex County delays vote on Comprehensive Plan

GEORGETOWN, Del. – The Sussex County Council had a packed agenda on Tuesday, and one of the things council members were looking at was the 2018 Comprehensive Plan.

Planning & Zoning director, Janelle Cornwell, and Assistance County Attorney Vince Robertson began their presentation on Tuesday with revised language that staff developed in conversations with State officials regarding the definition of developing areas and coastal areas in Sussex County.

In the revised text, it essentially stated that medium and higher density areas could be supported only in areas where there is central water and sewer, business nearby and a main road or intersection nearby.

Some council members, like George Cole, were not satisfied with this definition.

They said the amended language needs to address traffic concerns, and they worried that if this amendment passed without any mention of traffic in the text, it could cause even more congestion in already problematic areas in the county.

Councilman George Cole said, “Why would we encourage higher densities and things of that nature because of water and sewer, but we have traffic that’s not moving? I think there ought to be some reference to, there also needs to be sufficient capacity with transportation.”

As a result of this issue, the vote on the entire Comprehensive Plan was delayed until November 27th at the earliest.

Once the plan is voted on, it will be resubmitted to the state for final review.