Get educated on workings of Sussex government

It comes as no surprise that development and transportation articles were among the most-read stories in this newspaper over the past year.

The majority of letters to the editor have also been about the pace of growth in the county, and in particular the Cape Region.

Over the past year, there has also been a major increase in public awareness of development issues.

Thanks to the Sussex Preservation Coalition, which recently celebrated its first anniversary, grassroots organizations such as Sussex Alliance for Responsible Growth and Sussex 2030 now have the opportunity to speak with one voice.

While many residents are involved with the groups and have a good understanding of how Sussex County government works, there is still a knowledge gap about the inner workings of the county land-use system.

Residents are quick to blame Sussex County Council for all growth issues, including traffic and stormwater runoff. Yes, the buck stops with the council, but there are other key players in the process, including the Delaware Department of Transportation, which is responsible for all public roads, and Sussex Conservation District, which is responsible for stormwater management.

And the biggest players, whom many residents overlook, are the five appointed members of the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission, who have the largest impact on housing growth. Commissioners conduct public hearings and vote on subdivisions – not county council.

The only time council members get involved with subdivision applications is when a commission decision is appealed.

Both council and commission members rule on conditional-use, residential planned community and rezoning applications.

While the commission votes on subdivisions, it is council that sets the policies and introduces ordinances involving land use. Those “rules” are a guide for planning & zoning commissioners as they deliberate over subdivision applications.

It's important that members of the public garner as much information as possible. Letters and comments during public testimony based on fact and county code are more powerful than emotional comments by people who take the not-in-my-backyard mindset.

It is essential that residents get engaged with the county land-use system as council mulls over possible changes to some of the most important development ordinances, including perimeter buffers and tree preservation.