SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. - The proposed Cool Spring Crossing development plan, which includes 1,922 housing units, and now an educational facility, and an assisted living center, is sparking debate in Sussex County. The project, situated off Route 9 and Cool Spring Road, is being met with mixed reactions from locals.
Jill Hicks, president of the Sussex Preservation Coalition, expressed concerns over the strain the development could place on local infrastructure. "It's not just the traffic—our schools and emergency services are already at capacity," Hicks said during a recent community meeting.
However, others, like Eileen Greenfield, see the development as an opportunity for positive growth. "If done thoughtfully, this could bring much-needed resources and services to the area," Greenfield said, emphasizing the importance of planning for sustainable growth.
Coalition members are urging that any new development be carefully evaluated based on three criteria: Is it the right place, right use, and at the right time? As new projects continue to emerge along the coast, locals remain divided on how much development is acceptable.
The Cool Spring Crossing plans will go in front of planning and zoning on May 8.