- Disjoint between the State and Local Governments
- The local governments have the sole authority to make land use decisions while the state is responsible for providing infrastructure. The state has its own priorities and the County keeps claiming its authority for final land use decisions.
- Building in Floodplains
- Unlike in New Castle and Kent Counties, Sussex County allows building in 100-year-floodplains, which is in the State’s Spending/Investment Level ‘Our-of-Play’.
- Traffic Nightmare
- DelDOT is in perpetual catch-up mode.
- DelDOT is in perpetual catch-up mode.
Quality of Life at Issue
- Evacuation
- Fire/EMS
- Traffic
- School Capacity
- Medical Care
- Elder Care
- Water Quality
- Lack of Preparedness for Natural Disasters/Flooding
Statewide Mandates Needed
- APFO (Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances)
- Unlike in New Castle and Kent Counties, Sussex County does not have APFO.
- Impact Fees
- Unlike New Castle and Kent Counties, Sussex County is reluctant to impose Impact Fees – for school, fire/EMS, . . .
Sussex County can also use impact fees for medical school facilities.
- Unlike New Castle and Kent Counties, Sussex County is reluctant to impose Impact Fees – for school, fire/EMS, . . .
- Modification of ‘Home Rule’
- The County’s authority for the land use decision was bestowed to the Sussex Council by the State General Assembly. The State can restrict the authority.