Council finalizes land-use working group membership, outlines charge and timeline

Sussex County's county administrator updated the council on formation of a land-use working group that will study incentives for residential development in lower-risk "state strategy" areas and disincentivize development in higher-protection zones.

County Administrator Lawson said the council previously identified 10 categories of stakeholders and that staff had contacted prospective representatives; the county has confirmations for the working group and will publish the membership. The working group's first initiative is to develop recommendations that would create incentives for residential infill in State Strategy Levels 1 and 2 while discouraging development in Level 4; staff suggested using on-call planning consultants and a meeting facilitator to support the work.

Lawson presented a timeline that calls for forming the working group and scheduling the first meeting in the current quarter, developing a list of recommendations and returning to council with interim findings. He emphasized that the group's meetings must be public under Delaware law because the group is appointed by an elected body; meetings will be broadcast, will have minutes and will include opportunities for public comment.

Council members said they appreciated the composition and urged flexibility for alternate representatives where organizations could not attend. Several members stressed the importance of including a realtors' representative and that farm bureau delegates may need to send alternates during planting season.

The council did not take a vote on membership at the meeting but signaled consensus that staff proceed with invitations, consulting support and scheduling the first meeting.