Sussex County Wetland development blocked, but residents call for additional protections

DELAWARE- Homeowners and environmental groups are claiming victory after the Sussex County Planning and Zoning committee issued a rare block to proposed developments on local wetlands. In a 4-1 decision, the committee voted to deny the Coral Lakes Development in Lewes.

But for some who were protesting wetland developments, this isn’t a complete win.
Frankfurt resident George Schultz says the East Gate Development that is set to be built right in his backyard is only on hold.
He tells us, he and his wife are pushing to have the town code changed to extend the buffer zone on their street as a way of further protecting the land from being built on.

“The wording is confusing I could see where people can interpret it differently and the penalties that are there for violators inst strong enough sot that we are cornered about,” he said.

Schultz also says the current proposal allows for 20 feet, which he would like to see raised to between 35 to 50 feet which would protect the wetlands near his home. He is also asking for a new determination on the status of the wetlands, a decision he says DNREC reached then rescinded, and is the basis for the ability for construction to one day resume.