District 3 candidates differ on development issues

The two candidates vying to represent Sussex County Council District 3 shared their views with a standing-room only crowd Oct. 25 at the Lewes library.

Republican I.G. Burton and Democrat Leslie Ledogar both touted their experience as reasons for running for the seat being vacated by Democrat Joan Deaver.

The question-and-answer forum was sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Sussex County.

The candidates agreed on several key issues, but there were some marked differences when it came to questions about development, smart growth, affordable housing and transportation.

When asked for a definition of smart growth, Ledogar said it should not be a 75,000-square-foot shopping center on an 11-acre parcel on top of a wellhead protection area. “That discourages economic development because it's not sustainable,” she said.

She was referring to Burton's vote as a member of the county's planning and zoning commission to recommend approval of rezoning a parcel on Kings Highway at Gills Neck Road for the proposed Gills Neck Village Center. In her opening remarks, she said smart growth is her No. 1 priority.

Burton defended planning and zoning's vote.

“My planning and zoning experience should not be used against me as a radio sound bite,” Burton said. “I've not made one decision outside the comp plan. My record is clear.”

However, he said, the current plan is outdated, and new regulations and ordinances are needed.

Ledogar said the current comprehensive plan is not without merit. “It's the implementation that's the problem. I pledge not to put the new plan on the shelf as this one was,” she said.

“Development is going to come, and we have to plan for it,” Burton said. “It comes down to a density question and what services are needed. The market, comp plan and you will tell us how much growth is needed.”

Burton, who has served on the county's planning and zoning commission for 11 years, said his 30 years of family business experience would benefit the county. “Council is more than just land use. It's a business,” he said.

Ledogar is a retired environmental attorney and mediator and was a regulatory officer for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection site-remediation program.

“I understand the balance of caring for the earth and making a living from it. I'm not a politician, but a public servant,” Ledogar said.

She clearly took aim at Burton's connection to the county. “We need new blood in Sussex County,” she said.

Both candidates stressed the importance of increased economic development to create more better-paying jobs throughout the county.

Burton said the county has attributes that businesses are looking for, but regulations and delays sometimes get in the way.

“We are difficult to deal with,” Burton said. “We have to stop that. We need to be predictable and welcoming. It's the job of Sussex County to promote the county, and we need to do it in spades.”

Ledogar said building a robust economic development office would be high on her priory list if elected. She said a start would be to build a strong workforce in county high schools by identifying the needs of businesses and relaying those needs to schools.

They also agreed the county needs to be more proactive on senior issues. “Seniors should have the right to age at home,” Ledogar said, but more services are needed. She said the county should push for more senior tax credits, better public and alternative transportation options and the creation of self-sufficient safe, senior community districts.

Burton said the county's affordable housing ordinance has not worked and needs to be rewritten. “It's not the responsibility of the county to provide affordable housing but to determine how to attract entrepreneurs and develop what incentives we have to produce,” he said.

Ledogar disagreed. “Affordable housing is the responsibility of the county. It's been court ordered by HUD, and the county should encourage that development,” she said.

Burton, who has served on the Delaware Department of Transportation Committee on Transportation under two governors, said while several key transportation projects have occurred over the past few years, over the next three years District 3 is due for projects that will make major improvements in traffic flow, including work on Route 24.

Ledogar said infrastructure has not kept pace with development. She said before the recession thousands of units were approved, and council provided three blanket time extensions for 18,000 of those units. “At the same time, council and DelDOT were pointing fingers at each other,” she said.

Both candidates said efforts to create a transportation improvement district in District 3 should slow down until the underlying zoning is established.

When she talked about seniors aging in place, Ledogar quipped that for some it meant sitting in traffic on the county's major roadways. She said that's what happens when nearly every square inch of land has been zoned for shopping centers.

“We are at a crossroads, and it's time for experience. We can't afford to be in training mode. We need to act now,” Burton said.

“There are 'come heres' and the 'from heres,' but we all live here,” Ledogar said. “We are in this together, and we need to find solutions that serve us all.”