This letter was sent to Sussex County Council by 113 concerned residents of the Bay Pointe Community (Angola), with a copy sent to the Cape Gazette for publication.
We urge Sussex County Council to disapprove the proposed conditional use (C/U No. 2176) application requesting a 7-11 convenience store at the corner of Angola Road and John J. Williams Highway.
The following facts support this request:
• The Angola peninsula is accessible by only two roadways: Angola and Camp Arrowhead. Both were constructed in the 1950s to support primarily rural and agricultural traffic.
• Recent development has added more than 600 homesites to the peninsula, with another 300 approved by the P&Z Commission. Traffic is already slowed considerably by these changes.
• There are eight gas stations within 4.3 miles of this site. There are three major grocery stores within 3.5 miles. There is a convenience store (Shore Stop Valero gas station) 1.7 miles from the proposed 7-11 location and a general store, Dollar General and several additional convenience stores located in Peddler’s Village, across from the Shore Stop/Valero.
• A strip mall is under construction on the north side, directly across from the Shore Stop.
• There is a major assembly of shopping, including a Wawa, at the corner of Long Neck Road and Route 24, 3.4 miles southwest of the proposed 7-11 location.
• Traffic delays are routinely experienced at the corner of Robinsonville/Angola/Route 24. It does not appear that the proposed (2022) DelDOT improvements to this intersection include plans for a major convenience store/gas station there. It is not clear if DelDOT is on board with this application.
• The proposed construction of the 7-11 will directly impede traffic attempting to turn east onto Angola from Route 24, turn west onto Route 24 from Angola, enter into the 7-11 lot from Angola, exit from the 7-11 lot in any direction and enter Angola from Robinsonville once crossing Route 24.
The Angola entrance/exit is close to the Sarah Run Culvert, as well as the head of the area’s well water. Has a favorable environmental impact statement been received by the council, especially in light of a proposed installation of gasoline and diesel storage/dispensing tanks?
Given the already close-by shopping and convenience stores, and the significant adverse impact to traffic and possibly waterways, the public will be at a distinct disadvantage if this C/U application is approved. This JJW location does not need another commercial establishment at this crowded intersection and very busy thoroughfare. Thank you, and please reaffirm your decision last year to turn down this C/U request.
Concerned residents/voters at Bay Pointe
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