Sussex building moratorium idea hits wall of opposition

A one-year moratorium on major housing subdivisions in rural areas of Sussex County drew an overflow crowd of mostly opponents to a public comment session on the topic Jan. 14.

A steady stream of builders, contractors, affordable housing advocates, real estate groups, healthcare providers and others took turns at the podium for their allotted three minutes over about two hours to weigh in on the issue.

Many said a moratorium would be counterproductive, cutting construction jobs, reducing business for shops and driving up home prices.

A few residents voiced support of the proposal by Councilman Matt Lloyd, a Republican who represents District 1. Lloyd cited strains on infrastructure, schools and emergency services at a Jan. 7 meeting when he first called for a moratorium on reviews of new projects. He said he wants to give council time to draft changes to laws to restrict what he saw as unchecked development in agricultural-residential zones.

Lloyd was one of three new council members who ran on platforms that emphasized the need for rational limits on development.

Joe Pika of Lewes supported Lloyd at the Jan. 14 meeting. 

“I welcome the call for a moratorium,” Pika said, explaining the county needs time to make major changes. “If not a moratorium, then what?” 

Jill Hicks, president of the Sussex Preservation Coalition, urged the council to form a working group to draft changes to county laws to address development issues. The coalition gave the county six months to deal with the situation or it would begin backing a moratorium.

“We oppose a moratorium,” said Stephanie Moody, associate director of the Sussex County Association of Realtors, citing an estimate that the county needs 20,000 more homes to meet demand. 

Dr. David Tam, president and CEO of Beebe Healthcare, said a moratorium would hinder efforts to attract more doctors to the community. 

The crowd of about 135 people filled to capacity the meeting room in the County Office Building in Georgetown. Another 35, who could not even get standing room there, were diverted to a room in the basement to watch the meeting broadcast on a large screen.

In the end, Lloyd failed to gain any other support on council for a moratorium. Some said drafting a proposal that was doomed to fail was a waste of time for staff.

“It’s dead on arrival,” said Councilman John Rieley, a Republican who represents District 5.

Several council members, however, said the turnout illustrated the pressure they are under to limit development, and they said changes will be discussed in the coming months.

“I think your message was loud and clear,” Rieley said.

“This work is urgent,” said Councilwoman Jane Gruenebaum, a newly elected Democrat who represents District 3. “This work should have been done a long time ago.”

After the meeting, Lloyd said he planned to review the comments made at the meeting, but he was not inclined to press ahead with his proposal.

“It was interesting to gauge the council and gauge the community,” Lloyd said.