CAPE GAZETTE, Tuesday, 9/9/08.

District 3 council candidates square off on land use issues,  By Ron MacArthur
  ronm@capegazette.com
 It became clear to those attending a candidates’ forum hosted by the Delaware Manufactured Home Owners Association ( DMHOA) that land use and growth issues are the lightning rods in the Sussex County District 3 race, where two units per acre zoning quickly became the hot topic.
  The forum, attended by six of the eight candidates running for three open seats on council, took place Monday, Aug. 25, at the Oak Orchard Fire Hall. The council seats are being vacated by three retiring Democratic councilmen with more than 40 years of combined service: Dale Dukes, District 1; Council President Finley Jones, District 2; and Lynn Rogers, District 3.

  While Republican Mark Baker supports the current base zoning of two units to one acre in AR 1 zones included in the updated comprehensive land use plan, Republican Judson Bennett and Democrat Joan Deaver said the zoning, particularly in state designated Level 4 areas, leads to overdevelopment.

  Level 4 areas are lands where no state funds for infrastructure are provided, because only sections designated as growth areas are promoted as development zones by the state – Levels 1, 2 and 3.

  “ The current land use plan provides for 1 million more homes and 2.9 million more people according to a University of Delaware study,” Deaver said.

  She added that nearly 50 percent of approved building lots in the county are in Level 4 areas.

  “ With the current trend, allowing two units per acre in Level 4 areas, eventually Sussex County will be paved over. The plan is designed to pave over Sussex County,” Bennett said.

  “ I advocate a rezoning of Sussex County. Down zoning increases property value,” he added.

  Baker disagreed. “ Down­ zoning to as much as 1 unit to 10 acres as my opponents advocate would have a devastating effect on the agricultural economy and farming,” Baker said.

  “ It would also put pressure on manufactured home communities, limit new communities, restrict land that can be developed, and rents would go up,” he said.

 Does zoning affect rents?

  That last statement drew criticism from the association.

  Fred Neil, a member of the Advisory Council on Manufactured Housing, told Baker not to use changes in zoning regulations as a justification for rent increases.

  He said rents are increasing under current zoning. “ The problem with manufactured housing is that we have no oversight and no enforcement. Do not use that [ zoning] as an excuse. It’s a terrible, terrible excuse,” he said.

  Baker responded that he understood the pressures on manufactured homeowners. “ I know this is not the reason or the cause,” he said. “ But were this change in zoning to occur, this would be another reason. There would be less supply and less land available to build manufactured home communities. When you limit supply in an artificial way, you increase costs,” Baker said.

 Growth and other issues

  Bennett said growth in the county is inevitable, but during slow economic times there is a chance to make changes. “ We have time to slow down and get a grip and protect the future. Stealing Joan Deaver’s words, we can be blessed by growth or besieged by growth,” he said. “ How we grow is what is important.”

  Bennett supports sustained growth with infrastructure in place paid for by those who profit from development. “ The fox is in the henhouse and it’s time to shoot down the fox and get back to laying eggs,” he said.

  Deaver agrees that growth should not occur without adequate infrastructure in place. She said many of the current problems result from the friction between county and state officials.

  She said, if elected, she would promote cooperation with state and municipal governments.

  “ We have got to have cooperation or the people will suffer, and we end up with a mess,” Deaver said.

  Baker said he supports limited government and low taxes. “ We need to work with the money we have,” he said. “ I care about the county – I’m personally invested in it. I would love to see my two sons go away to college and come back here and live,” he said.

  He said he would work to provide housing at various price levels so people would not have to work two or three jobs to afford it. Baker said county government needs more balance and common sense.

 Homeowners demand respect

  Ed Speraw, association president, said there are more than 30,000 manufactured homes on rented land in Sussex County.

  “ We are going to be the largest voting bloc in the state. We are going to decide who runs this county and state. It’s not a threat, but it’s time to quit treating us like second class citizens. We are first class citizens,” Speraw said.

  Dixie Boucher, president of the Angola Beach & Estates Homeowners Association and modera  tor of the candidates’ forum, said she realized the candidates were addressing tough issues, but they are important issues that affect the future of the county.
  “ We want it to be good for everyone – the way it should be,” she told the candidates. “ Over the past 10 years the average person has been run roughshod over.
  “ You will be in a position to change things for the better.”
  Of the eight candidates running for three seats on council, three other candidates made an appearance at the forum: Republican Bob Reed and Democrat Mike Wyatt in District 2 and Republican Mike Vincent in District 1.
  Democrats John Atkins and Barbara Lifflander, who will face off in the 41st District in the Sept.
  9 primary, and Democrat Gary Downes, who is running against Sen. Gary Simpson, R Milford, in the 18th District, were also in attendance.

In the News.

CAPE GAZETTE Letters to the Editor 8/19/08

http://www.capegazette.com/pages/editletters.html

“Deaver supporter takes issue with commentary

I read with great interest the commentary by Reid Beveridge in the Aug. 12 Cape Gazette. I want to clarify a few points from the perspective of the Citizens for Joan Deaver campaign. First, there is a Republican primary in the 3rd district Sussex County Council race. Therefore, as of now, we are not sure which opponent Joan Deaver faces in the November general election.

Our campaign was pleased to hear that Joan Deaver has the support of very conservative Republicans.

We welcome a broad base of support for the issues and positions that Joan is taking in the campaign. Those of us who live here are becoming increasingly concerned about the quality of life year round. The continued development without infrastructure and the impact it has on the lives of local people and local businesses is of concern to all of us. Joan Deaver has promised to introduce ordinances into the Sussex County Council that will require developers to meet specific standards regarding adequate transportation, safety, schools, libraries, hospitals, water and sewer. This kind of careful land use planning is long overdue.

I was also concerned about Mr. Beveridge‘s comment on the Western Parkway. The impact that highway would have on thousands of local homeowners, farmers and church members is beyond belief. For your information, the council has removed the Western Parkway from the new land use plan. Joan will work with DelDOT to find other more practical transportation solutions.

Joan Deaver has also promised to work with the towns and cities so that both county and local government jointly agree on – and approve – land use decisions concerning property immediately surrounding the towns, to preserve the nature of the towns and their quality of life, and ensure the safety of town residents and visitors.

We do not support the bitterness between the county and state and between the county and the towns and we want to work together to preserve our resources and quality of life.

Finally, Joan Deaver also has the support of many Democrats and independents. The Eastern Sussex Democratic Club recently made a considerable contribution to the Joan Deaver’s campaign and the Democratic Committee for the 14th Representative District has endorsed Joan Deaver as its candidate. More endorsements are forthcoming. If you are interested in joining Joan Deaver in her efforts, please contact me at bettydeacon@hotmail.com or 644-4303.

Betty Deacon

campaign manager

Citizens for Joan Deaver”