SUSSEX COUNTY, DE - The Sussex County Land Use Reform Group met for the first time today to discuss how to preserve the remaining undeveloped land in the county while also addressing the infrastructure needs to support continued growth.
The 10-member group, which includes a mix of professionals, shared their perspectives on zoning issues and the challenges associated with the county’s ongoing expansion.
Their goal is to uncover issues related to growth and development and explore ways to maintain the county’s character while accommodating future needs.
Matthew Padron, a member of the group and an expert in affordable housing, emphasized the importance of adjusting zoning to allow more housing units on less land. He believes this approach should align with the county’s goals of promoting affordable housing and removing barriers for developers.
"The county has been moving in a fantastic direction by emphasizing the need for more affordable housing and trying to remove barriers," Padron said. "My goal is to help streamline the process and continue pushing forward in that direction."
Other group members include representatives from DelDOT, who noted that the department will continue to lag behind developers in terms of road improvements, as developers are able to move faster.
A farmer, whose family is approaching its fifth generation of farming in the county, also voiced concerns. The farmer expressed uncertainty about the future of his land, fearing that ongoing development could push him out of business.
Johannes Sayre, another public participant, spoke during the public comment period, stressing that resources like land and water are finite.
"There are hard, objective limits on resources," Sayre said. "Once you use up land and water, those resources aren’t elastic. When you run up against the limit of a resource, you need to reduce or stop using it."
After months of discussions, the group will ultimately present its recommendations to the Sussex County Council on how to best manage growth and development in the area.