The following letter was sent to Lewes Mayor Ted Becker and City Council, with a copy submitted to the Cape Gazette for publication.
We join with the Henlopen Gardens Condominium Association regarding major concerns about the Village Center and its effect on our communities.
While DelDOT traffic studies claim there will be no additional impact on Kings Highway, DelDOT has never studied the potential impact on Atlantic Drive - which is a thru road from Savannah to Kings Highway. Both the condo association and the Henlopen Gardens Homeowners Association share Atlantic Drive.
It is a pathway for walkers and bicyclists headed to Cape Henlopen High School as well as the Junction & Breakwater Trail. Currently in the summer, it is dangerous and practically impossible to turn left onto Kings Highway due to ferry and beach traffic.
Even turning right requires the kindness of others. The same is true for turning left onto Savannah Road. With our proximity to the new shopping center, we anticipate local traffic to increase significantly as drivers are looking for shortcuts to get to the Village Center. What will prevent construction trucks from using this thru road during the building process?
We need assurances from the city and Sussex Council that our quality of life here in Henlopen Gardens will not be affected by an increase of traffic and the side effects of speeding, noise and pollution.
If this requires a traffic study by the City of Lewes before, during and after the Village Center is built, then we need you to do what needs to be done to protect our community. We are looking to you to be proactive and not reactive after the Village Center is built, and we are unable to safely drive or walk our streets.
Henlopen Gardens Homeowners Association
Patricia M. Hall
secretary-treasurer
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