Sussex County officials have given developers of one of the premier resort communities in the Cape Region some slack, but not what they requested on a time extension to build a clubhouse and nature center.

Ribera-Odyssey LLC, developers of The Peninsula on the Indian River Bay, have been in violation of a condition imposed during a change-of-zone approval granted by county officials back in November 2002. The condition in question required that within two years of the issuance of the first building permit, developers would build a clubhouse and nature center. The first residents moved into the development, off Bay Farm Road near Long Neck, in August 2005.

County council denied the developer’s original request for a time extension amended the condition to allow more time for construction of the two facilities. The developers have two years to start construction and another 18 months to achieve substantial completion of the projects.

Because of a downturn in the housing market, the developers had requested a time extension to complete the amenities.

The developers pointed out they have completed most of the amenities in the community including a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, golf shop, restaurant fishing pier, pool and spa, athletic center, wave lagoon and beach, nature center boardwalks and water taxi.

They asked county council to amend the condition to allow them to delay construction of the clubhouse until the golf course attained 500 members, with nature-center construction to follow.

There are currently 400 members (all landowners/unit owners are club members).
Council also added another condition that a site plan for the two facilities and a performance-bonding plan must be submitted to the county within 120 days. In denying the developer’s request, council members agreed a timeframe would be easier to enforce than a membership number.

The Peninsula is a residential-planned community containing space for more than 1,400 mixed-residential units.