Sussex County Council Tables Possible Moratorium on Cluster Subdivisions; Hears from Librarians

UPDATE – 03/17/26 – The Sussex County Council faced a mostly full house – of Sussex County librarians and library supporters who all asked the Council to support an increase in the library tax – and if that is not an option this year, to create a library funding task force – made up of county leaders, library representatives and other stakeholders to look at sustainable solutions for future library funding. 

Six of the County’s 11 independent libraries were represented along with several supporters who told the Council that libraries are being asked to do more with fewer resources and they are spending long hours focused on generating revenue just to keep the doors open and the lights on.  The proposed tax increase would be about $10 to $20 annually for the average property owner. 

Chief Tom Spell of Lewes Police Department and Chief Keith Banks of Rehoboth Beach Police spoke to the Council to thank them for their continued financial support of local police throughout the county as well as their trust in what they do. The Sussex County Police Chiefs Association represents all 19 municipal police agencies in the county. The County has helped police agencies with investments to help purchase a wide variety of equipment or training to keep county law enforcement up-to-date into the future to keep Sussex County residents and visitors and the community safe.

Assistant County Attorney Vince Robertson began to discuss a possible limited moratorium on cluster subdivisions on central sewer in the rural area. After a brief discussion on the moratorium, Councilman Steve McCarren expressed his opposition to the proposed moratorium and that this would disrupt the good progress the Land Use Reform Commission has made in the last year. Councilwoman Jane Gruenebaum asked that attention be focused on the ordinances that have already been introduced and that this limited moratorium be tabled temporarily. She also asked for regular updates on the applications that are coming in and the progress of those already in process to have a better understanding of what is occurring. That was the end of the discussion.

County Finance Director Gina Jennings is looking at ways for the County’s Fire and Ambulance Companies to streamline billing and save costs. After a recent statewide study Jennings described two initiatives to the Council – one to issue an Ambulance Billing Services RFP to streamline billing, increase buying power, help with collections and save costs. The other is to issue an Ambulance Purchases RFP to increase competition and buying power – ultimately saving money. The Fire/Ambulance Companies would come up with a base model – with what every company wants on an ambulance – the county would purchase the base model and any bells & whistles a department wants they would be covered at the expense of that fire/ambulance company. The potential cost to the County for the Ambulance Service Billing – $800,000 per year. Ambulance purchases would be 3 each year – 4 in the year where Carlisle gets 1/2 funding (the other half from Kent County) – coming out to 1 new ambulance every 7 years, which is about the average life for an ambulance. Jennings adds that this is not a tax increase – would be funded through the Realty Transfer Tax.

Planning & Zoning Director Jamie Whitehouse was joined by a team of state officials to discuss the Route 9 Corridor Master Plan. This began in January 2026 when Governor Matt Meyer signed Executive Order 16, which updates the Delaware Strategies for State Policies and Spending document and maps. They have identified 2 corridor planning areas – Route 9 and Route 113. This focus is on Route 9 and will discuss a coordinated effort between state and County officials to define a land use plan for the Corridor Planning Areas to kickstart the county’s comprehensive plan update process and better plan for growth.

The team has met once so far to begin to discuss implementation of the Master Plan objectives. These is long range planning – looking out about 40 years. Through this year the Core Planning Team will exchange data, hold public workshops and then prepare a draft plan of 4 scenarios and goals for the implementation of the master plan. Additional public hearings and the adoption of the master plan is expected in September.

The Sussex County Council will not meet again until April 14th – and a reminder that the County offices will be closed on April 3rd for Good Friday.

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ORIGINAL STORY – 03/16/26 – The Sussex County Council will meet Tuesday morning at 10am. The Council will hear from Assistant County Attorney, Vince Robertson with discussion and the possible introduction of a moratorium ordinance regarding cluster subdivisions only.

There will be a presentation from the Sussex County Police Chiefs Association and County Finance Director Gina Jennings will discuss future Fire/Ambulance Company Assistance.

Planning & Zoning Director Jamie Whitehouse will discuss the Route 9 and Route 113 Corridor Study.

In Old Business, the Council will revisit a conditional use application (CU No. 2530) for seasonal bungalows in Ocean View.

The Council meets at 10am at the County Administration Building on The Circle in Georgetown.

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