Sussex Preservation Coalition responds to call for moratorium

The Sussex Preservation Coalition has repeatedly argued that growth in Sussex County has been irresponsible and excessive: outpacing infrastructure including, but not limited to, roadway capacity, school facilities, staffing needs of the education system, emergency services, the healthcare system and even the capacity of the county’s planning & zoning staff. By continuing to allow this rapid pace of irresponsible growth, the past county council has made it impossible for these services to perform at their best. These services, intentional or not, have been set up for frustration and possible failure with no end in sight. This is an inefficient, unproductive and costly way to manage the county. This past election was an indictment of that record.

SPC’s position has been made clear with its recent engagement with the perimeter buffer ordinance and amendments to 99-9C and open space. In each case, particularly the last two, the amendments adopted by the past council did not go far enough to bring clarity or specificity to the changes needed. And the building industry agreed with us. Furthermore, the damage caused by the clearcutting of forests, the loss of wetlands, the pollution of inland bays and waterways allowed by the county’s insufficient and vague codes will be this generation’s legacy, injurious conditions left to our children and grandchildren. This is unacceptable. Everyone is frustrated because, to date, council has not addressed these issues in a way that results in real change. Public consensus is that county council of the past has not had the political will to take the action needed.  

A moratorium should be exercised as a last resort, and SPC agrees the county has reached a crisis. We have witnessed the destruction long enough. The quality of life among the citizenry of Sussex County has been rapidly degrading. Sussex Countians are seeing it, feeling it, living with it and paying for it without an end in sight. 

Several misconceptions were presented in opposition to the moratorium on applications in the AR-1 zone as suggested by Councilman Matt Lloyd. 

1. A moratorium on applications for 12 months will not create the same conditions as the national recession of 2008
2. It will not create an economic downturn that will take four to six years of recovery. 

In response, Sussex Preservation Coalition has asked county council for three things:

1. A commitment: That within 30 days, county council will make a solid commitment to work diligently to end the crisis outlined
2.  A plan: In three months, county council will develop a plan for engaging stakeholders, including, but not limited to, county officials, state agencies, the public and the development community. The plan will outline the specific steps and timelines to review the current land use codes and to gain consensus on needed amendments and implementation
3.  Progress: That significant progress is made within six months.

It is time. The voting public spoke loud and clear. Let’s get to work.