After concerns raised by Sussex Preservation Coalition, Sussex Alliance for Responsible Growth and Sussex 2030, Sussex County Council decided to take on the work of amending the county code that governs subdivisions. Council intends to tackle perimeter buffers, open space, tree preservation, superior design and site work.
On Tuesday, June 11, county council, at its regular meeting, will hold a public hearing regarding an ordinance to amend perimeter buffer codes and provide a protection area for the trees in the perimeter buffer. This is a step in the right direction.
However, the builders’ associations and developers are likely to contest these protections. It is our hope that county council will stay the course and correct what has been depleting the quality of life for county residents.
In 2018, county council eliminated the yield plan from the cluster subdivision code. The yield plan allowed a developer to cluster houses together, saving them land development costs while preserving the remaining land as open space. In most jurisdictions where cluster subdivisions are permitted with a yield plan and/or have a conservation plan in place, the cluster subdivision goes a long way to preserving open green spaces and eliminating suburban sprawl.
Unfortunately, absent a yield plan or a conservation plan, Sussex County is now struggling under codes that allow sprawl of a greater magnitude. Those living in eastern Sussex are alarmed by the loss of open space, forests and wetlands, and the excessive growth that is stressing roads, schools, health services and housing costs. The county must stop this endless pursuit of profit at the expense of quality of life.
If you are a concerned citizen, there are two things you can do. First, go to www.sussexcountyde.gov and email county council members to let them know your concerns and encourage them to do the right thing – expand and protect the perimeter buffers. Second, vote in the September primary and the November election. Three of the five council seats are up for election this year. Every Sussex County citizen should participate in all local elections.
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