I am a homeowner in Hart’s Landing, located a stone’s throw from the proposed RV resort and campground (RVCity). I am not a permanent resident, but I have owned my home for more than five years and plan to move here full time later this year. I agree with the concerns stated by the homeowners in my community and the surrounding communities, regarding the potential adverse impact the campground will have: the environmental harm, road congestion, an increase in vehicle accidents, and the resource burden and financial strain the campground will put on existing services, such as police, fire and EMS.
But I have several additional concerns regarding the operation of the campground that I feel need to be taken into consideration by the Sussex County Council as part of their decision-making process.
The amphitheater… How will it be used? Will there be concerts and other live shows? What will the hours of operation be? Will outsiders be allowed to attend? How will noise levels be controlled so as not to impact residential homeowners in the surrounding area?
The tiki bar… What are the hours of operation going to be? How will underage drinking be controlled? How will excessive drinking be controlled? Will there be live entertainment, a jukebox, DJ or house band? What will be the rules related to sound levels?
The canoe dock… Will there be a resident expert to assist first time canoers? Will there be emergency services available on-site to handle tipped canoes, potential drownings and various other accidents? Is the management relying on town services to handle these types of problems? If they are, has response time from different services been measured to avoid a loss of life?
Fires… Will campfires be allowed on sites? Will a “park ranger” tour the park on a regular schedule to inspect fires? What are the procedures if a fire is out of control and endangers the surrounding area? Where is the nearest fire department and their estimated response time?
“Park rangers”… How many will there be on duty at any given time? Will they be trained professionals or anyone looking for a job? How can the county be assured that they’re qualified to maintain a peaceful and orderly development?
Guns… What are the rules regarding guns being brought into the park? What would be a legitimate reason for someone to bring a gun into the park? How will any rules regarding guns be enforced?
The overwhelming logic of the many issues identified to date, as well as uncertainties in operational management, clearly lead me to believe that this commercial venture should not coexist alongside residential neighborhoods. It is just not a good fit!
Louis and Ginny Naclerio
Lewes