Battle lines drawn over Royal Farms plan
Residents opposed to an application for a Royal Farms gas station and convenience store at the intersection of Angola Road and Route 24 are making their voices heard even though the public hearing is still six weeks away.
On the opposite side, Royal Farms is doing a full-court press with a website devoted to reasons to support the application.
Two Farms Inc. (Royal Farms) has filed a conditional-use application for a 4,709-square-foot convenience store with gas pumps. The land is the current location of Dick Ennis Marine Services & Home Builders at 22357 John J. Williams Hwy. (Route 24).
A Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission public hearing on the application is scheduled for 3 p.m., Wednesday, April 24. Sussex County Council will have a hearing at its Tuesday, June 4 meeting.
Prior to that, Royal Farms will host an information meeting from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 9, at Lewes library.
History of the parcel
The parcel has a history of denied applications. In 2018, county council denied a rezoning from AR-1 to C-3, and then in January 2020, council denied a conditional use for a 7-Eleven convenience store.
As residents mounted a campaign against the conditional use, Eul Lee started the Sussex 2023 grassroots organization to inform citizens about county land-use issues.
That group is also taking a lead in the opposition to the proposed Royal Farms. Go to sites.google.com/view/Sussex2030/site-content for more information.
The group is planning more informational meetings and also a protest on The Circle prior to planning & zoning commission and county council hearings, and at the Royal Farms meeting April 9.
An online petition to oppose the application is also available.
Many of the issues residents are voicing in opposition to Royal Farms are the same expressed at the 7-Eleven hearings. The issues include traffic volume along Route 24 and at the intersection, possible negative impacts on the wellhead protection area, and the store fitting into the character of the surrounding residential area.
On the 7-Eleven application, the planning & zoning commission had recommended approval, citing that planned Angola Road-Route 24 intersection improvements would relieve traffic issues.
Intersection improvements at the Angola Road-Route 24 intersection have not been completed.
Royal Farms website
Royal Farms is mounting a campaign to solicit support for the project. The angolarofo.com website includes ways citizens can get involved to support the application, including meeting dates, suggestions for writing letters of support and email links to county council members. Also included is an online survey and petition.
The website also has site-specific information concerning the economic, tax and environmental impacts a new store would have.
According to the website, the new store is “poised to be a beacon of sustainable growth aligning with local values and aspirations, and fostering a sense of community well-being.”
It continues: “It stands as a testament to our dedication to enhancing local economic vitality and supporting essential initiatives that fortify the foundation of the neighborhood.
“Central to the proposed project is a fusion of environmental consciousness and a commitment to responsible development. By integrating innovative solutions for environmental protection and sustainability, Royal Farms seeks to epitomize a harmonious coexistence with the local ecosystem, ensuring the preservation of Angola’s natural heritage.”
Royal Farms plans to locate its underground gas and diesel tanks away from sensitive areas such as Sarah’s Run in a proactive measure to provide environmental protection, they say.
According to the website, the location will serve more than 20 communities and significantly reduce drive times to the nearest gas stations and convenience stores.
There are currently 18 Royal Farms stores in Sussex County.
