I, like so many others in the area, would welcome the addition of a Costco, Whole Foods, Target, etc., to Sussex County.
However, Sussex County Council (and planning & zoning before them) have absolutely no obligation to change zoning to allow this development to happen on Mulberry Knoll Road and Route 24, nor should they if they are serving their constituents.
The developer and some others have argued that if Atlantic Fields is denied, they will just build houses. I can assure you, that is much preferred for traffic reasons than a huge shopping center.
A shopping center in that area will draw traffic from all of the surrounding areas. A housing development will not.
I also don't buy the argument (made by at least one member of planning & zoning member) that it will eliminate some traffic from Route 1. That is absolutely ridiculous (and I am restraining myself from saying, "I call bull#@#@)." I live west of Route 1 on Robinsonville Road. If I were to go to a Costco at Atlantic Fields, that would absolutely not stop me from going to Route 1 or elsewhere on 24 for everything else I do. The thing that will stop me from going to Route 1 will be the unbearable traffic to get there.
This is the wrong location. Please do not do this to the current residents of Lewes and Millsboro and surrounding areas. Ask the developer to find land off Route 113 or along the Route 1 corridor in Milford, or a more industrial area west of Route 1.
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