State officials review proposed Milton development

State agency representatives came together Dec. 2 to review a proposed 385-unit development planned along Shingle Point and Harbeson roads near Milton.

The proposed development calls for 242 single-family homes and 143 townhouses on a 192-acre parcel near the intersection of Shingle Point Road and Harbeson Road. The land is currently zoned AR-1, agricultural-residential, within Sussex County, but Eric Wahl, representing the developers, said the plan is to annex into the Town of Milton. 

The Carey Farm development would be part of three developments in the same area across from Mariner Middle School, joining Scarlet Oaks and Four Winds. Scarlet Oaks has already been annexed into Milton; that project’s developers have submitted an application to annex an additional 5 acres at the tip of Scarlet Oaks that is proposed for a commercial component. 

During the Dec. 2 meeting of the state Preliminary Land Use Service, an advisory panel of state agencies, Wahl said the development is estimated to create about 3,300 daily car trips. To handle that traffic, he said there will be road connections between Scarlet Oaks and Four Winds, which border the Carey Farm property on both sides. 

Wahl said a bike path through the development has been discussed that would connect Carey Farm to Harbeson and Shingle Point roads. He said no wetlands would be affected, and the plan is to preserve as much of the natural environment as possible. 

Dorothy Morris, head of the Office of State Planning Coordination, said growth in this area is anticipated and the property is part of Milton’s future land-use map. She said the office has no current objections to the project. Morris noted the PLUS committee does not make final decisions on whether the development moves forward; that will fall to the town after the property is annexed into Milton. Milton Project Coordinator Tom Quass said an annexation application has not yet been submitted by the developer. 

As for the state agency representatives on hand, Stephen Bayer of Delaware Department of Transportation said the project will either require a traffic impact study or could be included in Milton’s transportation improvement district. Wahl said talks are underway to determine and coordinate the best path forward. 

Jared Kauffman of DART said the development should include a bus stop at or near the intersection to Shingle Point and Harbeson roads.

Duane Fox of the State Fire Marshal’s Office said the entrance to the development and any cul-de-sacs should be designed to accommodate the largest fire apparatus. Fox also suggested including fire hydrants on the plans, as well as specifying the fire prevention methods to be used in the individual units. 

Beth Krumrine of Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control said electric vehicle charging stations should be included in the site plans, and options for solar power for individual residents should be considered. 

Morris said the PLUS committee’s suggestions will be put into written form and submitted to the applicant on or before Tuesday, Dec. 23.