Residents press council on affordable housing options as Georgetown rezones parcels for commerce
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Summary
The council held first reading on a land-use change and heard multiple public comments urging alternatives for affordable housing, including tiny-home communities, and expressing opposition to a proposed dense tiny-home site; council also adopted a separate rezoning on Parsons Lane to allow two businesses.
Georgetown — At its Jan. 12 meeting the Town Council opened a first reading of a comprehensive-plan amendment for two East Market Street parcels and heard multiple public comments urging the town to pursue affordable housing strategies, while also adopting a separate rezoning request on Parsons Lane to permit commercial development.
Adam Wachowski, a resident at 200 South Bedford Street, urged the council to prioritize smaller, lower-cost homes that could open paths to homeownership for first-time buyers and criticized the prospect that nonprofit-run rental projects could result in rents comparable to market apartments before construction begins.
"I would love to see the opportunity for people to buy homes," Wachowski said, noting the scarcity of affordable options in Sussex County and urging the town to reconsider delivery models that emphasize ownership.
Other commenters argued for alternative formats for workforce housing. Angie Townsend pointed to tiny-home "park model" communities elsewhere in the U.S. that include full kitchens, community centers and lower rents, and asked council to consider those as options. By contrast, Sue Barlow strongly opposed a proposed dense tiny-home site, calling it "a disaster waiting to happen," saying 32–34 houses on two acres with small setbacks lacked storage, recreation areas and adequate spacing.
Council conducted the first reading of Ordinance 202601 (future land use map change for East Market Street parcels 501 and 503) and left the item open for two weeks for a second reading. Separately, the council held second reading and adopted Ordinance 202513 to change two Parsons Lane parcels from residential to commercial, allowing a prospective developer to build two businesses; the rezoning passed by roll call.
Public commenters also urged the town to inventory municipal parcels suitable for workforce or intermediate housing and to coordinate with state representatives on funding for homeless services. Linda Dennis, representing the town committee on vulnerable populations, said local agencies are coordinating but urged better communication with state legislators who manage funding streams.
What happens next: The East Market Street amendment remains open for a second reading at the council's next meeting; the Parsons Lane rezoning was adopted and will proceed under normal permitting processes.
