Sussex County and the Sate of Delaware are lock in a battle over future growth and land use planning. The State has rejected the County's Plan. Key criticism from the State is the County's land use tied to the base zoning of agricultural-residential (AR-1) land at two homes per acre with central sewer and water. The AR-1 zoning comprises more than 75% of the county.
The State wants to the County to develop different zoning for growth zones. That way the State can plan for infrastructure investments, ie roads. The State defines low growth areas as on unit per 5 acres or one unit to 10 acres, not two units per acre. The AR-1 makes the whole county a growth zone.
The County contends that is was always the type of zoning the County used. They feel that if changed, the property owners should be compensated. HOW?
Both sides have merit. The State wants to plan for the future and it can't with the haphazard zoning in the county. The property rights culture is strong in the rural areas of the county. Economics will dictate which farms will be developed and which will not. However, some developers and farmers are pushing for development of very large scale projects in areas that have little infrastructure. This trend cannot continue, the County and the State must find a compromise and find a workable solution, for the good of All. For more info check The Laurel Star 1/17/08 (www.laurelstar.com)
Uncle Fred
Monday, January 21, 2008
Sussex County Land Use Battle
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Woodland Ferry Retires
Farewell to the "Virgina C" the locally famous Woodland Ferry, which was retired on 1/1/08. The Woodland Ferry has been run by the Cannon Family from 1740 to 1883, when it was taken over by Sussex County. The State of Delaware took over in 1935 with a wooden 2 car ferry until 1961 when the "Virginia C", a three car ferry, went into service. The Virginia C made over 45,000 round trips annually and was worn out. A new 6 car ferry named after long time Seaford State Representative Tina Fallon, will be put into service in November, 2008. Note: the ferry ride is free and takes about 5 minutes. Learn more about it at: http://www.woodlandferry.net/.
Uncle Fred
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Welcome to 2008!!!! This might shape up to be a good year if the news media would stop the doom and gloom and the R word. This whole sub prime mess was created by wall street and the greed of their investors. What I don't understand is the losses they say are happening. All these loans, however shakey are backed by real estate!!
The government is going to allow wall street and the banks wright down a 100% loss, which is not true, so no taxes will be paid. When these depressed and forclosed properties are sold, they can claim 100% profit from a wright off. How stupid do they think we are.
No matter who are next President is , I hope he or she has some guts to say NO to the special interests and govern for the good of the country not their pocket books. WISHFULL THINKING I KNOW. The litness test should be: Is this good for the whole country!!
