Subdivision sought on Anglers Road in Lewes

A Lewes developer is seeking to build a six-lot community on less than an acre at the corner of Anglers Road and Market Street.

The plan was reviewed Jan. 8 by the city’s parks and recreation commission and Jan. 16 by the planning commission. 

The project would be developed under R-3, residential beach, zoning, which requires a minimum lot size of 5,000 square feet, minimum lot width of 50 feet and setbacks of 25 feet for the front, 8 feet for the sides and 15 feet for the back.

There are wetlands to the north of the property, but only 14 square feet exist on the parcel.

The developer, William Huntley, has requested waivers from the city’s requirement of 10 percent open space, for sidewalks on Market Street and for required street lighting.

Huntley’s representative, Ken Christenbury of Axiom, said the plan was intended to be submitted as a minor subdivision, but short extension of water and sewer lines bumped it into a major subdivision. He said all future homes will front on already-existing streets – two on Anglers and four onto Market Street. The parcel is split into three lots, with one existing home fronting Anglers Road. It would be demolished. 

The project would be across Market Street from Hotel Blue and across Anglers Road from a condo building overlooking the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal.

The property is within the 100-year flood plain, and the developer said the houses will be lifted 4 to 5 feet to meet the city’s flood plain requirements.

When asked why he chose to seek six lots, Huntley said it is the only economically viable option based on the cost of the land.

The parks and rec commission recommended against waivers for open space and sidewalk requirements, and did not comment on the street light waiver. The developer did not have a representative at the parks and rec meeting to explain the waiver requests.

Christenbury said the open space waiver is more semantics than an attempt to avoid open space. He said a combined 5,000 square feet behind three lots would be privately owned but unavailable for use by the homeowners. He added that 10 percent of the parcel equals about 4,000 square feet, meaning the area set aside via permanent setbacks would exceed the requirement.

The developer is seeking a waiver because city code requires a developer to form a homeowners’ association to maintain the open space or that the land be donated to the city. Christenbury said it doesn’t make sense to form an HOA for a six-lot community, and there would be no direct access to the open space if it were donated to the city.

Sidewalks already exist along the Anglers Road side of the property. Christenbury said there are no sidewalks on Market Street, including along the edge of Hotel Blue’s property. There are no houses for a long stretch beyond his property, he said.

Although required, Christenbury said street lights do not appear to be necessary, as the area is already heavily developed with commercial and residential buildings that offer plenty of light.

Although the city’s regulations do not contain buffers, parks and rec commissioners recommended the planning commission consider adding a 50-foot buffer from the wetlands. They also recommended the developer use only native plants, not add turf grass to any part of the property and clearly mark the edge of property lines so future residents do not encroach into the native and wetland areas.

Before the planning commission makes a recommendation on preliminary consent, it will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 7, at city hall.