Plantation Road developing into commercial area
Development is moving westward in the Cape Region.
At its March 13 meeting, Sussex County Council unanimously approved a commercial rezoning application on the west side of Plantation Road, not far from a planned senior living facility.
LMHT LLC has been granted a rezoning from AR-1, agricultural-residential, to B-1 neighborhood business district for a 6-acre parcel along Plantation Road adjacent to the county's new paramedic Station 104.
Although a site plan is not required as part of a rezoning application, Nick Hammonds, a principal with LMHT, said the most interest has been shown for medical office use, thanks to the parcel's proximity to the Beebe Healthcare campus off Route 24.
The county planning and zoning commission had recommended approval of the application.
Hammonds said the zoning is appropriate because of the loss of viability for farming the parcel, its proximity to two signalized intersections – Route 24 and Cedar Grove Road – and compatibility with commercial development in the area.
“As Lewes and Rehoboth Beach development moves to the west, use of the parcel would serve residents west of Route 1 who would not have to travel on Route 1,” Hammonds said.
Council had previously approved a rezoning to B-1 for a 4-acre parcel for medical offices near the Plantation Road-Cedar Grove intersection. In addition, the board of adjustment approved a special-use exception application for a 160,000-square-foot, 114-bed senior living facility on a 10-acre parcel along Plantation Road. Under construction is the second of three proposed 8,000-square-foot office buildings at Plantation Park on a 3-acre parcel along Plantation Road.
In the same area, the east side of Plantation Road has been developed with residential projects including Aydelotte Estates, Woods Cove and Summer crest.
Engineer Ring Lardner said the Delaware Department of Transportation has not yet required a traffic-impact study, but once a site plan is presented to DelDOT, a study may be required based on the estimated traffic generated.
