Commercial project approved along Route 24
V&M LLC of Rehoboth Beach has been granted a conditional use to construct a 5,000-square-foot convenience store with 10 fuel pumps, and a three-story, 12,000-square-foot office building on a three-acre parcel on the southwestern corner of Route 24 and Mulberry Knoll Road between Lewes and Rehoboth Beach.
At its May 17 meeting, Sussex County Council voted unanimously to approve the application.
Jim Fuqua, the developer's attorney, presented the application to council via telephone as he was forced to stay home after testing positive for COVID-19.
Fuqua said the property comprises eight parcels and is located in a commercial growth area on the county's future land-use map. Existing structures on the properties will be demolished.
The attorney said growth in the area has created a need for the uses to provide services to residents who will not have to drive to the Route 1 corridor or Long Neck area. Located in the area are Beacon Middle School, Love Creek Elementary School, Delaware State Police Troop 7, Four Seasons at Belle Terre subdivision and Scenic Manor, an approved subdivision.
Fuqua said a conditional use was being requested instead of a commercial rezoning to allow commissioners to impose reasonable conditions on the application, which would not be possible with a commercial rezoning. A rezoning would include a wide variety of uses by right, while with a conditional use, only the specific use is applicable, Fuqua said.
Delaware Department of Transportation is in Phase 2 of a major road improvement project along Route 24, which includes the Route 24-Mulberry Knoll Road intersection. Phase 1 has been completed, which includes widening Route 24 from Route 1 to Mulberry Knoll Road to four lanes, additional turn lanes, and intersection improvements at the Warrington Road-Route 24 intersection. Phase 2 includes widening from Mulberry Knoll Road to Love Creek and a new traffic signal at the Route 24-Mulberry Knoll Road intersection.
Fuqua said the developer and DelDOT officials reached an agreement to coordinate road improvements.
A right-in/right-out entrance is proposed along Route 24 and a full-access entrance is proposed along Mulberry Knoll Road.
Traffic counts from 2019 show average daily traffic of 19,793 vehicles along Route 24 and 517 vehicles along Mulberry Knoll Road.
DelDOT would require the developer to improve the road frontage along Mulberry Knoll Road with a southbound through lane and turn lane at the site access. The left-turn lane from Mulberry Knoll Road to Route 24 would be required to be lengthened 40 feet.
A DART bus stop will be provided along Route 24.
The complex includes 75 parking spaces, two loading zones, a stormwater pond at the northeast corner of the site, and a landscaped buffer along the boundary with Beacon Middle School and a section along the southern boundary of the property.
