Linda Sullivan Schulte is a resident of Selbyville.
This week, there will be a Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission meeting to review plans for Cool Spring Crossing, west of Lewes, and the potential impact anticipated by this development.
Perhaps it would be helpful to review a county area that, 20 years ago, was faced with a similar project.
As the 1,000-acre Bayside Americana was expanding its reach along Del. 54, an Ocean City, Maryland, article was headlined “Bayside Americana, Boom or Bust ... OC may never be the same.” It noted that “Bayside Americana initially wanted a projected 2,900 homes, ... and … Sussex County Council approved plans for 1,700.” Continuing, it stated that the final tally of homes “has yet to be determined and it must be remembered, this is just one project, at this location, and does not take into consideration any other spin off developments that will be constructed in the future.” The story continued, “Rehoboth traffic problems along the outlet corridor is further proof of Delaware’s inability to foresee the impact of building and development.” The article continued with, “How has the total and long term impact of any area that is basically swamp land, been taken into consideration?”
The story continued to state that the projected growth would overcome the public safety and health resources in the southeastern part of the state. Over the years, commitments were made by development and planning officials that new public safety resources would be added.
Today, Bayside (according to the census) has 4,921 households and 10,356 residents. Plans for its performing arts center expansion include 4,000 seats and 883 parking spaces. From Selbyville in the west to Fenwick Island in the east, permits for more than 10,000 homes were approved, and the population grew (through 2020) by 20%. Del. 54 is still an evacuation route, with very few traffic changes, and no public safety facility has been added to support this southeast area.
In addition, it should be noted that area is designated Level 4 for land use planning. Level 4 means that there is not enough existing infrastructure to support new development.
This review of what some now call “development creep” is not meant to blame the developers or public officials but to illustrate that we are all at fault. There were instances along the way when hearings were held and community input was solicited, and few cared enough to respond.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
