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Sussex P&Z recommends Old Orchard project

Cleanup of former dump site part of application
October 24, 2016

Story Location:
Old Orchard Road
New Road
Lewes, DE
United States

Six years after it was originally approved, a Lewes-area housing project is back under Sussex County review.

At its Oct. 13 meeting, Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of a conditional-use application filed by Old Orchard Ventures, c/o Barry Baker for 24 multifamily duplexes on nearly 8 acres in an MR, medium-density residential zone, along Old Orchard Road.

Janelle Cornwell, the county's planning and zoning manager and director-appointee, told the commission the original application approved by Sussex County Council in July 2010 had expired.

The developer entered into a brownfield redevelopment agreement with DNREC nearly a decade ago. The site had been used as an illegal dumping ground for solid waste materials and was listed in 1985 by the state as an unpermitted disposal site. State environmental officials said contamination at the site is limited and causes no threat to nearby residents.

In making the motion to recommend approval, Commissioner I.G. Burton said the parcel is located in a developing district and the proposed density is significantly less than could occur under MR zoning, which allows up to four units per acre.

Burton said all documents on the proposed development must reference the brownfield remediation plan and the development's proximity to a concrete plant and the possible dust and noise that could be generated by the nearby plant.

He said the final site plan must include the developer's plan to monitor the property before, during and after the remediation plan is implemented.

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