The news of 90 townhomes being welcomed by the annexation committee of the Lewes City Council has left Lewes residents shaking their heads.
As recently as last year, the City of Lewes restated its earlier commitment to contribute $500,000 along with Sussex County and state and private entities in a collaborative effort to acquire the Groome parcel and place the 135 acres in a land trust to protect it from development. The city also actively supported the work of the Lewes Historic Byways to preserve and protect the New Road Corridor for its open and scenic characteristics.
Almost simultaneously a total contradiction was being voted into existence at a May 2018 council meeting by Lewes City Council. Two new annexation codes, AX-RES and AX-MIX, were added to the city’s zoning classifications. The explanation provided to the public when the codes were enacted was Lewes is open for business, and the playing field on which the county and city compete for developers had been leveled. Council’s messaging was clear: Apply for annexation into the city, and the privileges and benefits of the city would be accompanied by less-stringent requirements such as Sussex County’s mandated, high-density setbacks.
In response to pushback from concerned citizens, the mayor and council have told us the Lewes Planning Commission will impose and enforce conditions that assure the Brittingham development in Lewes will become an attractive development for the city. However, the planning commission is saddled with major conditions that are preapproved by the language of AX-RES zoning! To name a few, setbacks are set, high density is granted, and scenic views according to a preliminary design presented to city council members and the public will be available, but only for the residents within the Brittingham property townhomes!
I believe the mayor and council are dedicated to doing what is right for the city and its residents. However, in the example of the proposed townhouse subdivision, I am fearful that in their haste to create codes which make annexation an attractive option to developers, the mayor and council have given away the store.
Within three months of enacting the AX-RES and AX-MIX codes, two different applicants presented preliminary plans to develop parcels. The mayor and council have, in effect, turbocharged the process by which highly profitable (for the developer), high-density housing can sprawl the length of New Road, making the New Road corridor the cheap side of town.
For years, Lewes folks have been upset by the seemingly instant development approvals granted by Sussex County. Now, ironically, wouldn’t it be nice to have the stricter controls of AR-1 in place to limit the density and increase the setbacks of the proposed Brittingham development.
The question for city council right now is: How can this be fixed before it is too late? Can the AX-RES zoning be amended prior to granting the first binding approvals to any formal development submission? Can we have the answer prior to the workshop scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers?
Please, amend the language in AX-RES zoning while we still have the last vestiges of a truly scenic byway! The damage to New Road and the City of Lewes must be stopped before the high-density infection runs all the way up New Road.
Unlike the limited representation we have with Sussex County Planning & Zoning, the decisions of our elected Lewes city officials are within our reach to influence. But only if the voices of city residents are heard at council meetings and workshops! We must require our elected representatives to control responsible development consistent with the character of Lewes along the last remaining scenic road into our wonderful city.
Doug Spelman
president, Canary Creek HOA
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