When I first told my friends and family I was buying a home in Lewes, the most frequent reaction I received was, "How do you stand the traffic?" Many told me they no longer visit the Delaware beaches because of the traffic. While this is anecdotal, it is not untrue that traffic discourages tourism. Lewes, Rehoboth Beach and points south rely on tourism. What would be the expected impact on tourism to adding more than 26,000 vehicles per day, plus an untold number of tractor-trailers, plus traffic from organic growth and the recently approved Belle Mead project, to already-congested roads?
To give this number of 26,000 a visual, the parking lots at the Philadelphia sports complex contain a total of 21,000 parking spaces. Imagine those enormous lots filled to capacity, add 5,000 more, and then add to all that the tractor-trailers delivering inventory. At some point, the traffic will reach a tipping point, significantly decreasing vacationers' interest in visiting our coastal towns.
That is why I believe a shopping district of this size should be located farther north or west in Sussex County, out of the traffic flow to our shore towns, where tourism won't be affected. For year-round residents, traveling 30-60 minutes would still be an improvement. Also, workers would be better able to afford housing in those areas.
If you are determined to pass the zoning change, consider doing these things first:
• Request a redesign. The current one is ugly. Most recent shopping destinations are more pleasing to the eye.
• Don't accept the developer's first offer. Now is the time you have the most leverage. Insist they pay for dualizing Route 24 all the way to Long Neck, including the Love Creek Bridge. Also, the pavement on Mulberry Knoll Road is terribly cracked between Dorman Farm Lane and Cedar Grove Road. Demand the developer pay for widening and repaving Mulberry Knoll Road. The developer will likely come back with a higher figure.
• The developer's offer of $50,000 each to the Lewes and Rehoboth fire companies is laughable. That doesn't cover a single salary or even the deposit on a new vehicle. Push for a commitment in the seven figures.
I hope you take these considerations into account before voting.
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