Sussex County

The meeting included the approval of the agenda and the subsequent approval of the minutes from the previous sessions held on January 13, 2026, and January 27, 2026. Correspondence was noted, and public comments addressed affordable housing and traffic concerns. A public interview and subsequent approval were conducted for Chuck McClure as a nominee to the Board of Adjustment and David Pettyjohn for the Planning & Zoning Commission. An appointment for Dianna Boehm to the Library Advisory Board was also approved. The Administrator's Report provided updates on Delaware State Police activity and the substantial completion of two construction projects. Key financial actions included approving an amendment with GHD, Inc. for preliminary engineering services for the Wolfe Neck wastewater facility upgrade, approving a purchase order for actuated valves for the Inland Bays expansion project, and approving a change order for the BW Electric, Inc. Inland Bays phase 2 project. A proposal from RK&K for wetland data collection was approved. Old business involved amending and adopting Ordinance No. 4039 regarding a zoning map change (CZ2021) for Crosswinds Landing, LLC, which included specific conditions related to open space preservation, buffers, and amenity provision. Several grant requests were approved for organizations including Eastern Shore AFRAM Festival, Tether Foundation, East Sussex Public Broadcasting, Inc., and Clothing Our Kids. New Proposed Ordinances regarding conditional uses for solar arrays and boat storage were introduced for future public hearings. The Council recessed into Executive Session to discuss land acquisition and litigation, with no action taken upon reconvening.

The agenda for the meeting included several key items, such as the approval of the agenda and correspondence reading. The Consent Agenda involved an item concerning the Use of Existing Infrastructure Agreement (IUA-1289) for Heritage Shores, Phase 7B. Discussion topics included a recognition for the Caroling on the Circle Food Drive, the Administrator's Report, and an appointment to the Board of Assessment Review. The Director of Public Safety was scheduled to discuss the Emergency Operations Plan, followed by an approval item for the Unified Sanitary Sewer District Expansion. The agenda also included the introduction of proposed zoning ordinances and an Executive Session for land acquisition matters. The afternoon session featured five public hearings concerning Conditional Use applications (CU No. 2607, CU No. 2603, CU No. 2509, CU No. 2530, CU No. 2544) and one Change of Zone application (CZ No. 2033).

The agenda for this meeting primarily focuses on public hearings and old business concerning variance requests related to Sussex County Zoning Code requirements. Old Business involves Case No. 13156 seeking variances for rear yard setback requirements. Public Hearings include Case No. 13154 requesting a variance for maximum fence height in the corner front yard setback, Case No. 13158 seeking variances for rear and side yard setbacks for a proposed structure, Case No. 13159 requesting variances from the agricultural setback requirement for existing structures, Case No. 13160 seeking a variance for side yard setback for a proposed structure, and Case No. 13162 seeking a variance from the front yard setback requirement for an existing structure. The meeting also includes standard items like the Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Agenda Approval, and approval of previous minutes and findings of facts.

The Sussex County Council meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda, followed by the election of officers for 2026, appointing Mr. Hudson as President and Mr. Rieley as Vice President. Key actions included the approval of 2026 Council Member appointments to various boards and committees, and the approval of 2026 Legal Counsel appointments. The Council approved the 2026 Rules of Procedure, including an amendment regarding zoning hearing responses. The minutes from December 16, 2025, were approved by consensus. Business items included approvals under the Consent Agenda, such as wastewater agreements for Gander Car Wash and Ingram Village. The Council approved appointments for the Delaware Coastal Airport Advisory Committee for 2026 and approved grant applications and related task orders for the Runway 4-22 extension project, contingent upon FAA grant funding. Approvals were also granted for a final balancing change order and project closeout for Winding Creek Village Water District, and agreements with the Lewes Board of Public Works for wastewater treatment. The Council approved a funding application and the rejection of bids for the Joy Beach sewer expansion, Phase II. Old Business involved discussions on proposed ordinances for Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map amendments, and grant requests resulting in $2,000 allocations each to the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce and the Skeeter Strong Foundation, and a combined $2,600 to the New Coverdale Outreach Mission. The meeting proceeded into an Executive Session to discuss land acquisition and litigation, followed by a recess and reconvening. A Public Hearing was held regarding Proposed Ordinance Ord No. 20-07 concerning a Future Land Use Map amendment, after which action on the ordinance was deferred.

The Commission addressed several agenda items, including the approval of a Final Subdivision and Landscape Plan for Saint Georges Terrace, consisting of thirty-four single-family lots. A six-month time extension request for WFP Holdings regarding a Neighborhood Business District shopping center was approved. The Commission voted to deny the Revised Amenities Plan for Ballenger Creek Subdivision due to engineering issues regarding paving connectivity. Preliminary Site Plans were approved for Lynam Townhomes and Twin Masts Preliminary Amenities Plan, both subject to final staff approval pending agency reviews. A Revised Final Site Plan for Hocker's Super Center expansion was approved preliminarily. Preliminary Site Plans for Michael P. Justice Revocable Trust and a Revised Amenity Plan for Holland Mills were also preliminarily approved. The Commission deferred action on C/U 2530 (Whitney Price, seasonal bungalows/Airbnb) pending research on the Lucinda Drive easement and DNREC approval documentation. They also deferred action on C/U 2544 (Waste Management of Delaware, Inc.) regarding expansion of parking and storage facilities following concerns raised by neighbors about noise, odor, and truck staging. Finally, the Commission recommended approval for C/U 2603 (Tidewater Utilities, Inc.) to replace an existing water storage tank to meet future capacity needs, and deferred action on C/U 2607 (State of Delaware Office of Management & Budget) for the Delaware State Police Troop 4 Emergency Vehicle Operations Course relocation.