Sussex County Council needs to act on Route 1 corridor
What type of development will occur along Route 1 north of the Nassau Bridge in Lewes to Milford, and particularly the section between the bridge and Route 16?
Some say the area is perfect for high-density and commercial development while others say it should be preserved as much as possible and restricted to low-density development.
On the 2018 Sussex County comprehensive plan future land-use maps, most of the land is designated as low-density where limited residential development is permitted, typically at two housing units per acre.
However, amendments to the future-land use map have occurred, and a major one that could set a precedent is pending a decision by Sussex County Council. The owners of 247 acres on the eastern side of Route 1 at the Cave Neck Road intersection have requested a change from low-density to growth area designation.
More development options – such as a higher-density housing – are permitted in growth areas.
State of Delaware planners have gone on record against the proposed change to the future land-use map.
Technically, Route 1 is a protected corridor with strict regulations in place to preserve traffic capacity.
Delaware Department of Transportation planners are in the process of soliciting public comment on an updated Route 1 corridor preservation program. All DelDOT road projects planned to preserve capacity are based on the current low-density designation in the county comprehensive plan, and not commercial or high-density development.
The big question is this: What does that do to the capacity traffic numbers being used by DelDOT?
With development pressure and the county elected officials' past history of voting for development, it's a safe bet more than low-density development would occur along the corridor.
One such project, Chappell Farm, with a mix of high-density housing and commercial, has already been approved on 15 aces on the northwestern corner of Cave Neck Road and Route 1.
Members of the Sussex Alliance for Responsible Growth are asking county officials not to approve any rezoning applications or future land map changes along the corridor until a master plan for the corridor is written.
We agree. There is still time to lay out a plan for future development of the corridor, but it has to take place now. Sussex County Planning and Zoning and Sussex County Council hold all the cards when it comes to land use. They should not rely on DelDOT officials to take the lead on this issue. The development clock is ticking.
