At the Oct. 1 planning & zoning meeting, Commissioner G. Scott Collins warned that Atlantic Fields’ scale (695,000 square feet) will worsen traffic on surrounding roads, including Mulberry Knoll – a two-lane, shoulderless road bordering the mall. “The scale of the development is the primary concern that I have,” said Commissioner Collins, who explained he worries that it will cause traffic congestion on surrounding roads. Collins said residential and commercial developments approved or pending around Route 24 will add to congestion, even before Atlantic Fields is considered. P&Z Commission Chair Holly Wingate agreed with Collins’ concerns, but added that Atlantic Fields could divert traffic from Route 1. “On the flip side of it, we may be keeping some of the traffic more contained because of the residents that will be on Route 24 that they can then use the facilities or the new businesses that are going to be built there,” Wingate said. “I’m not sure that offsets the traffic impacts of adding the stores that are proposed here at the scale of the development,” Collins said. A commercial project of Atlantic Fields’ size could also draw business away from downtowns, harming local shops, Collins said.
The traffic impact study (2022) contradicts Wingate, projecting 2,148 added trips on Mulberry Knoll, 60% to 70% from external sources (Rehoboth, Dover, out of state). A neighbor on our HOA site noted, “Ironic that [Wingate] was repeatedly quick to silence citizens who made similar statements without supportive studies,” suggesting bias. Could Chair Wingate have overlooked that national studies (Federal Highway Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) warn this traffic – tractor-trailers and tankers absent without this project – risks three to seven head-on crashes over five years on Mulberry Knoll, with 0.6 to 2.1 involving school buses near Beacon Middle (20% to 40% fatal, up to 15 child deaths)? With 30-plus years in construction, praised by Councilman Rob Arlett in 2018 with a recusal pledge, has Wingate misread the TIS or favored developers?
Sussex County Council members are the ones who appoint P&Z commissioners and now rely on the commission's report for the Oct. 21 vote. Wingate’s claim risks a crisis: two to 23 deaths, 18 to 95 injuries (FHWA, NHTSA). Will they demand: Wingate’s clarification, admitting increased traffic; a poll of commissioners on her statement? Atlantic Fields fails the comprehensive plan’s small-town character, traffic management and quality-of-life mandates. Lewes residents: Tell the council to reject it and save lives.
-
A letter to the editor expresses a reader's opinion and, as such, is not reflective of the editorial opinions of this newspaper.
To submit a letter to the editor for publishing, send an email to viewpoints@capegazette.com. All letters are considered at the discretion of the newsroom and published as space allows. Due to the large volume of submissions, we cannot acknowledge receipt of each submission. Letters must include a phone number and address for verification. Keep letters to 400 words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit for content or length. Letters should be responsive to issues addressed in the Cape Gazette rather than content from other publications or media. Letters should focus on local issues, not national topics or personalities. Only one letter per author will be published every 30 days regarding a particular topic. Authors may submit a second letter within that time period if it pertains to a different issue. Letters may not be critical of personalities or specific businesses. Criticism of public figures is permissible. Endorsement letters for political candidates are no longer accepted. Letters must be the author’s original work, and may not be generated by artificial intelligence tools. Templates, form letters and letters containing language similar to other submissions will not be published.
