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The 651-home Marine Farm went before the Sussex County Planning and Zoning in a public hearing Sept. 23 where it met little opposition.
The development along Jimtown and Beaver Dam roads is unique in the state in that it hosts an eagles’ nest.
Caldera Properties originally planned an 18-hole golf course on the property but it has instead followed the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service’s recommendations and ended up with a 40-acre eagle preserve on the property - and the Service’s blessing.
“We worked with the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service and our plan was approved,” said attorney Jim Fuqua of Rehoboth Beach, who represented Caldera. “That area will remain in perpetuity an open area and as a wildlife habitat.”
The houses in the development will radiate the houses from the eagles’ preserve. Marine Farm will have 218 townhouses and 433 single-family homes, fewer than the 841 units allowed in an agricultural zone with clustering.
Caldera Properties’ Frank Kea explained the details to the commission.
“We knew the eagles were there, but we didn’t know what to do to manage them,” Kea said of Caldera’s initial plan. “It became clear the golf course wouldn’t work. Fish and Wildlife said this is the most prolific nest in the state.”
In order to not disturb the eagles, during nesting season construction cannot take place within 1,320 feet of them. Caldera will also setup display and viewing locations around the preserve so the residents can appreciate the national treasure.
Caldera also took steps to protect Goslee Mill Pond and the wetlands that surround the property.
“We wanted to create a site with no wetland impacts and we managed to do that,” Kea said. “There is a minimum 50-foot buffer from the wetlands with an average of 100 feet.”
Planning Chairman Jack Allen questioned how far this site is from the next large development.
“With the expansion and development going on in Sussex County, we think this development is on all fours,” Fuqua said.
After Allen questioned Fuqua, the commission opened the floor for public comment. Only three people spoke.
“We need to recognize that design is better than density,” said Citizens Coalition President Mike Tyler. “We oppose approval based on the size and scope of the development. I’d also hate to see those eagles become like a zoo animal. I wish I could bring an eagle in to tell you what he thinks. No one speaks for the eagles. We’ll see how the bald eagles will stay once the bulldozers move in. Also, the infrastructure can’t keep pace with the development and multifamily is out of character with the area.”
Citizens Coalition member Henry Glowiak followed and echoed most of Tyler’s comments.
“The whole inland bays watershed is now being called a development area,” he said. “This is absurd.”
Jimtown resident Mike Miller spoke last.
“My concern is that 75 to 100 residents live on this road and this is coming onto our road,” Miller said. “Right now we don’t even have speed limit signs posted. Take into consideration the lives of the people who already live here, not those going to live there. Clean water and sewer are our concerns. County sewer doesn’t come here and during a big rain, there is 6 inches of rain in our backyards. We don’t want pollution in our groundwater.”
The commission left the record open as DelDOT comments had not been submitted. They are expected Friday, Oct. 15.
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