The developer of the Coral Lakes subdivision has filed an appeal of Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission's denial of the project.

On March 10, with a 4-1 vote, the commission denied an application filed by Schell Brothers for a 315-lot subdivision on a 152-acre parcel along Robinsonville Road near Lewes.

According to Sussex County Planning & Zoning Director Jamie Whitehouse, the appeal will be heard by Sussex County Council at a future meeting.

The proposed subdivision was met with opposition from nearby residents who expressed concerns over the loss of approximately 110 acres of woods and displacement of wildlife, increased traffic along a road with three other nearby approved subdivisions, stormwater runoff from the parcel, and potential impact on wetlands.

Commissioners who voted against the application did not offer reasons for their action. In fact, the vote came after a motion for preliminary approval presented by Commissioner Kim Hoey Stevenson and an explanation of the subdivision approval process by assistant county attorney Vince Robertson.