Acadia project could ease flooding issues

Traffic and stormwater runoff – two problems that lead residents to oppose new developments – were front and center during a May 10 Sussex County Planning and Zoning public hearing on a subdivision planned near Lewes.

The developers have filed an application for Acadia at Rehoboth, a subdivision with 234 single-family lots on 117 acres on AR-1, agricultural-residential, land near the intersection of Conley's Chapel Road and Dorman Road. Property owners are Carlton Dorman, Michael, Linda and Steven Hazzard, and Linda Wardup.

Stepping outside the boundaries of their parcel, the developers have proposed a plan to alleviate long-standing stormwater runoff problems along Wil King Road, which does not border the parcel.

Tim Willard, the developer’s attorney, said the project would be an Insight Land Co. LLC community with central water and sewer, and two entrances along Dorman Road and Robinsonville Road.

The average lot size would be 10,200 square feet with sidewalks on both sides of all streets. Amenities would include a pool and 3,500-square-foot clubhouse with a sports center including pickleball courts.

Insight Homes CFO Jack Hayes said electricity in common areas – including the pool and sports center – would be from solar sources. He said the goal would be to relieve homeowners of any electric payments in their HOA fees.

Road work would be required

As the result of a traffic impact study, Willard said, the Delaware Department of Transportation will require the developer to improve the alignment of the Dorman Road-Conley's Chapel intersection with turning lanes, and install 11-foot travel lanes and five-foot shoulders.

In addition, 11-foot travel lanes and five-foot shoulders would be required along Robinsonville Road to the Route 24 intersection. Willard said the developer would also be required to contribute funds to a DelDOT safety project at the Route 24-Robinsonville Road-Angola Road intersection.

According to the study, the proposed community would generate 2,280 vehicle trips on a typical weekday.

Plan to deal with water issues

Willard said the developer is also prepared to assist with stormwater runoff issues from land around Wil King Road to the north and the Holly Oaks community to the west. He said an area would be set aside with a pond to collect runoff into the community's stormwater management system.

Brock Parker, the developer's land planner, said he was confident the proposed stormwater management plan would resolve flooding issues in the area. He said one infiltration pond across from the parcel has failed and another is on the verge of failing. He said runoff from the area would pass via a pipe under Wil King Road into Acadia's collection system.

He said Sussex County engineers are still working out a definitive plan for stormwater management in the area.

After several residents complained about increased runoff in the Holly Oaks community, Parker said the new project would turn opponents into proponents. “We will capture the water that is flooding them currently,” he said.

Residents voice concerns

Todd Williams, who has lived along Dorman Road for 18 years, said traffic and water are the main concerns for residents on Dorman Road. “Until this is fixed, are you looking out for residents of Sussex County or builders who are building their huge developments?” he asked.

James Mayfield, a Holly Oaks resident, said he moved from the city 25 years to get away from lights, traffic and noise. “And now you want to put it in my backyard,” he said.

He said with other developments approved in the area, residents will be landlocked.

Commissioner Marty Ross reminded residents the subdivision was a permitted use in an AR-1 zoning district, which allows two units per acre. The density of the proposed project is less than two unit per acre.

Holly Oaks resident Susan Morrisett said she looks at the plans, and all she sees is water. “I don't want more water issues on my property. I moved here from DC because I wanted space. Now there will be 37 houses behind my house,” she said.

Subdivision applications are only acted on by the planning and zoning commission, and not county council.

The commission deferred on a vote and placed the application on its Thursday, May 24 agenda. Meetings get underway at 6 p.m. in the county administration office, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.