Introduced as a push to build affordable multifamily rental housing developments, a Sussex County councilman has proposed allowing higher density in certain areas and changing rezonings to be an administrative review instead of the current public hearing process. Should public hearings be part of the rezoning process?
- Public hearings should be required for such a high-density development as 12 units/acre, especially in the coastal areas, which used to be called the environmentally sensitive developing area. — Cindy Lou
- While public hearings may delay the process, I think it is an important step that needs to continue. The public has a right to attend hearings about land use, to listen to the proposals and to voice their thoughts, ideas and dissent or approval. Who has more right to find out what is being proposed than the people who live, work or own property in an area that is being affected by the rezoning? Think about it. Would you want to wake up some day to discover new construction being done at your property lines without having had an opportunity to voice your opinion or even stop it in advance? You might be delighted with what is built next door, but then again, how will you sell your property if it is something not so delightful? Don’t cut the “of the people, by the people, for the people” out of the process. — Ruth Ashby
Data claim on no-gender insurance rate proposal is questioned
“The recent article, “Delaware bill aims to prohibit gender’s effect on insurance rates” (March 14), includes false claims by the bill’s supporters that distort what’s at stake for drivers in the First State. Senate Bill 231 is based on a “report” by Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro and an advocacy group that draws questionable conclusions and lacks publicly available data substantiating its claims that removing gender from insurance rate setting will result in cost savings. The commissioner’s office has refused to share data they claim supports their position.”
- Insurance rates should be based on actuarial calculations, not political opinions. — Richard Schwager
