Speak Up: Council OKs controversial Lewes subdivision

By a unanimous decision, Sussex County Council on Tuesday affirmed the Planning & Zoning Commission’s July 8 approval of preliminary plans for Terrapin Island, a 42-lot subdivision on 32 acres near Lewes that spurred opposition. The appeal, presented to County Council on behalf of appellants by Michelle Forzley and Keith Steck, challenged that the commission’s approval was based on an incomplete record, inaccurate/inconsistent information, errors in the minutes, failure to adhere to county ordinances and insufficient consideration of issues raised.

• Let your voices be heard: call, email, write a letter. This is a disgrace. The Sussex County Council need to be put on notice at election time! — Cal William

Sussex 100% disabled veterans may see property tax relief

Totally disabled veterans meeting eligibility criteria would be exempt from paying school tax and also Sussex County property tax under a piggyback ordinance proposal introduced to County Council on Tuesday. County Finance Director/Chief Operating Officer Gina Jennings and its billing/collections manager, Katrina Mears, outlined the pitch, which mirrors the state’s property tax credit signed by Gov. John Carney on Aug. 10.

• The legislation is up to each individual district, if I understood correctly. HB 214 was signed into law. HB 12 is still awaiting action in the House. HB 214 allows school districts to create a credit against school taxes for property owned by a veteran with a 100% disability rating. This bill was signed on Aug. 10, 2021, and there is a delayed effective date to allow for implementation. In reading through the bill, it looks like this tax credit must be voted on and supported by a majority of the school board members of the local school district and that the provisions of the bill apply to tax years beginning May 1, 2022 (this will give the local jurisdictions some time to respond to the legislation). — Sherry Long

• Why can’t people who never had kids be exempt from school tax, too? — Michael Campbell