As vehicles have descended upon our beach towns throughout summer in greater numbers than ever before, I’ve come to recognize the insanity of the proposed RV City project. There is no doubt in my mind that Lingo Asset Management’s vision of an RV development at Love Creek is an impending disaster that threatens county residents and potential visitors for a variety of reasons:
- The massive size of the development: 516 RV sites, 82 rental cabins, a clubhouse, pavilion, dock, dock bar - yes, a dock bar! - amphitheater, pool, general store, laundry center and fitness center. At capacity during the summer months, the population on these wooded 162 acres would be between 2,000 and 3,000 people - equal to the entire population of Lewes. Insanity.
- Traffic safety: Instead of finding a location on a major artery, the developer plans to use Cedar Grove Road via Plantation Road for this project - narrow roads lacking shoulders formerly used by local residents as an alternative to Route 1. Judging by my typical 10-15 minute waits to turn onto Postal Lane from Cedar Grove, it’s apparent that “our secret” is out. Traffic jams today are constant throughout the day on these roads. And though the developers envision the property as a destination resort, as a camper I know that in reality families explore the local area - further clogging our winding country roads. Just one RV accident on Plantation, Robinsonville or Cedar Grove roads will tie up traffic for hours - just as the Route 24 accident did several weeks ago. I can only imagine how it will hinder fire engines (campfires! trees!) and ambulances on the S-curves of Cedar Grove Road. Treacherous.
- Noise pollution: An amphitheater is meant for music performances and theatrical productions. Loud ones. A thin band of trees that the developer plans to surround the project will not provide a sufficient barrier for the noise spilling into neighboring communities on summer evenings; nor would the voices of a multitude of paddle boaters and kayakers on tiny Love Creek be muffled to the hundreds of people whose homes border this development. Insensitive.
- Wetlands: The addition of septic and water components to Hetty Fisher Glade wetlands and the surrounding woodland areas would involve the removal of a great deal of existing forest and plant life, thus displacing and destroying much of the wildlife that make this area their home. Run-off pollution from the campsites will no doubt have a negative impact on the integrity of the ground water system. Hazardous.
As a homeowner and taxpayer, I urge our Sussex County Council members to vote with the great majority of their constituents, not those few wealthy developers, against granting a conditional use of land for an RV campground. It’s a dangerous, unsuitable project that will benefit those with already deep pockets and destroy the quality of life of Lewes residents - and your constituents.
Phyllis Stanger
Lewes
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