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After narrowly denying Isaacs Glen, a large planned community near Milton, Sussex County officials could soon be hearing a similar proposal for North Milton. State planners discussed preliminary plans for a 2,376-unit development to be called North Milton, Sept. 28, in Dover. The proposal is now headed to Sussex County Planning and Zoning and Sussex County Council.
The North Milton Development Group LLC, headed by Darin Lockwood of Milton, wants to build on the Rust-Hudson farm. The development would straddle Route 16 and is bordered on the west by Route 30. Right across Route 30 is the location of the proposed Isaacs Glen development, denied by Sussex County Council Sept. 27.
Lockwood works with Meridian Architects and Engineers in Milton, which is involved in designing the development.
The development would feature 120 rented units and 2,256 owned units, a mix of single-family homes, townhouses and condominiums.
Lockwood said he expects first-time buyers, move-up buyers and second home buyers to be interested in the development. The community would also include about 8 acres of commercial space.
The 471 acres of land is zoned as AR-1 (agricultural), but Lockwood is seeking a change in zoning to C-1 (commercial) and LPD (large parcel development).
Isaacs Glen included 826 acres and was proposing 1,592 units, but the Isaacs property included more forested and wetland areas than the North Milton property.
According to state strategies, Isaacs Glen is also located in a Level 4 area, which state planners say is an environmentally sensitive area that should be preserved as farmland. But, the North Milton property includes Level 1, 2 and 3 areas, which are areas the state designates for growth.
Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has not yet submitted comments on the project. DelDOT will decide if money is available for road improvements in the area.
PLUS officials will send comments to Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commissioners in two weeks.
The plans submitted to PLUS call for public water along with central and public wastewater. An area of the property has an existing Department of Natural Resources and Environment Control (DNREC) permit for land application of treated wastewater.
Lockwood plans to start construction in April 2007. Construction could last for 10 to 15 years. But, first the proposal must obtain Planning and Zoning and Sussex County Council approval. A date has not been set for Sussex County’s review of the project.
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