Sussex County planning and zoning commissioners heard it loud and clear that residents want measured outcomes and accountability as officials move toward adoption of the 2018 comprehensive plan.

Commissioners held a public hearing Nov. 2 on a draft comprehensive plan they have crafted over the past year during 22 workshops, three rounds of public meetings in 11 locations and 32 regular planning and zoning meetings. Comments from the hearing and the more than 300-page draft are now in the hands of Sussex County Council.

Rich Borrasso, spokesman for the grassroots group Sussex Alliance for Responsible Growth, said while a recent online survey gave county officials high marks in clarity, listening and openness, it also revealed skepticism on what would be accomplished.

He said the survey showed concern that weaknesses in the 2008 plan were not clearly identified so county officials could improve and move forward in the new plan.

He said more than half of the strategies contain words such as proposed, considered, engage, promote and explore.

Borrasso said the organization and the public want county officials to exercise their authority to manage future development contingent on infrastructure improvements in designated areas of the county.

“The public demands modifying the 2018 strategies to ensure a greater degree of setting priorities and time lines and most importantly an annual accounting of progress or lack of progress toward county goals and objectives,” he said. “We all want to make sure we are making progress each year.”

Bobby Horsey of Laurel told the commissioners not to forget about longtime residents who own property. “Our retirement is our property,” he said. “Don't stop the wealth – don't stop the growth in this county. We need to manage growth, and we need to do a better job communicating with DelDOT, and I think we've done it in this comprehensive plan.”

He said county officials need to follow the steps laid out in the mobility chapter and get more road improvements.

Phoebe Cunningham of Millsboro said forming a new county transportation committee is a good suggestion. “You should not rely solely on DelDOT for analysis of Sussex road adequacy. We need our own team working continuously on this,” she said.

She said the No. 1 question that should be addressed by the plan is how and when to accommodate population growth coming from in-migration.

Jesse Vanderwende, a Bridgeville farmer, supported the plan's proposal of an agricultural business zone. He said keeping agriculture profitable is the best way to preserve farmland and open space.

Rehoboth Beach resident Mable Granke said, “County council has to take responsibility for the fact they have planning authority, but when they make development decisions, there are consequences in terms of traffic and conservation.”

She said looking at road improvements and capacity in the short term has been an ongoing problem.

Granke said more intergovernmental interaction with Sussex towns should be woven into the plan. She said recent commercial projects just outside Rehoboth Beach city limits have an impact on the city without any input from local officials.