Jane Gruenebaum, County Council Member District 3
Like many coastal residents, I believe enough is enough. The current status quo serves the interests of a few. As a Sussex County Council member, I will bring balance to the table, and I will work to change those ordinances that ignore concerns about the environment and infrastructure.
View the Sussex County Council Calendar
Upcoming Events
Upcoming JAVA with Jane
April 29, 2026
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Lewes Public Library (medium meeting room)
Upcoming Interviews on Radio Rehoboth
(radiorehoboth.com)
April 8, 2026
8:30 a.m.
April 22, 2026
8:30 a.m.
What’s Happening:
It’s been a very busy month. I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to a group in the 38th RD; of going on a round of deliveries with Meals on Wheels; of attending the monthly meeting of the RD 20 Democrats, and of adding a few stitches to the Tapestry Project quilt honoring the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Also, I was pleased to be able to endorse Jill Hicks at her campaign announcement for County Council, the 5th District.
And, we have also had a busy month on Council. Last fall, County Council received 20 recommendations from the Land Use Reform Working Group. This month we introduced four ordinances based on those recommendations. Next, Planning and Zoning will hold hearings on the ordinances – one opportunity for testimony – and they will then move to hearings before Council – another opportunity to testify. I hope you will examine these ordinances and make your opinions known through testimony or through emails. Agendas are posted on the county website, so watch for the announcement of hearings on the ordinances.
When Council next convenes on April 14th, a Forest Preservation Ordinance which will complete the initial ordinances stemming from the recommendations of the Taskforce.
The full language of each ordinance can be found on the Council website; sussexcountyde.gov. The following are highlights of ordinances introduced:
- Sussex County Rental Program: Changes encourage more rental housing by relaxing some restrictions on developers. Reduce set-back requirements; reduce open space requirements; reduce percentage of units required from 25% to 15% and adjust rental pricing up from 50% of AMI to 69% of AMI.
- Open Space: Require stormwater retention ponds emulate natural features with gradual slopes and appropriate landscape plantings: encourages naturalize landscaping and native vegetation with pollinator zones and low-mow-zones; requires 30% open space in the Growth Area and 50% in the Rural Area; incorporate superior design elements for Open Space.
- Code Update to 99-9C: Topics updated include: not lots within wetlands; erosion and stormwater control; screening of objectionable feature; improve interconnectivity; apply superior Cluster Design standards to all subdivisions.
- Subdivisions: Eliminate cluster subdivision in Rural Area; allow standard subdivision with 20,000 square foot lots with sewer, ¾ acre lots without sewer; eliminate RPCs in low density area; apply the new standards in 99-9C.
I will be answering questions about these ordinances or any question you have about Council business at the March 25th Java with Jane. See you there.
