Sussex council denies plan for wedding venue

A plan for a wedding venue at Mansion Farm Inn near Milton was denied by Sussex County Council.

At its April 30 meeting, council voted unanimously to deny a conventional-use application for the venue filed by William H. McQueen Jr., who purchased the property along Route 16 east of Milton a year ago, turning it into a bed and breakfast.

On April 11, the Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission also voted unanimously recommending denial of the application.

And in both hearings, parking was the main issue. A plan to park cars across the road was not looked on favorably by the planning and zoning commission.

At the council public hearing, McQueen said he had reconfigured a new plan for the property to park up to 51 cars on the 1.6-acre parcel and still have room for a tent.

“This looks like a lot of cars in a small area,” said Council President Mike Vincent, as he looked at the submitted plan.

Sussex County Planning and Zoning Director Janelle Cornwell said the parking plan did not include no-parking drive aisles as per code, which allow vehicles to enter and exit parking spaces.

She said parking requirements would be determined by the square footage of the tent being used for an event with one space required for every 50 square feet.

McQueen said efforts to purchase property for parking adjoining his parcel have not been successful.

When asked by Vincent if the record could be left open to allow McQueen to submit a plan drawn by an engineer or surveyor, Cornwell said council had that option. However, council did not pursue the idea.

As they voted against the application, councilmen said they liked the proposed idea but there were too many questions surrounding parking. “We don't have enough information on parking,” said Councilman I.G. Burton of Lewes. “There are too many wild cards to see if this works.”