Sussex P&Z approves final site plan for Chappell Farm
The Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission discussed several Cape Region projects at its March 18 meeting, including a mixed-use project at the corner of Route 1 and Cave Neck Road near Milton and a revised site plan for a large residential development along Route 9 west of Lewes.
Chappell Farm
The commission voted 5-0 to approve the final site plan for the Chappell Farm project at the intersection of Cave Neck Road and Route 1 between Lewes and Milton. The preliminary site plan was approved in April 2023.
The L-shaped site will contain commercial buildings along Cave Neck Road. It also has four apartment buildings in the center and rear of a 15-acre parcel.
The plan required three zoning changes from AR-1, agricultural-residential, to MR, medium-density residential, C-3, heavy commercial, and a conditional use for multifamily housing.
The developer’s final plan includes 128 apartment units in four 15,040-square-foot buildings and 23,790 feet of commercial space with a service road, amenities, parking and stormwater management facilities.
Leeward Chase
The preliminary amenities plan for Leeward Chase, a duplex community on the south side of Route 9 east of Sand Hill Road near Georgetown, was approved 5-0.
The community, totaling 106 multifamily units, is proposed to have a clubhouse, in-ground pool, outdoor patio area, fencing and a pickleball court.
Wescoats projects
Commissioners unanimously approved preliminary site plans for a pair of office buildings called Wescoats Professional Center East and West.
The East plan seeks to reuse an existing dwelling, converting it into a law office and a three-bedroom apartment unit. The West plan seeks to reuse an existing garage, converting it into a physical therapist office.
Final approvals will be granted by staff upon receipt of all agency approvals.
Saltwind
A vote on final approval of Saltwind, formerly known as Peck Farm, was removed from the meeting agenda. It calls for 128 single-family home lots on 64.10 acres along Martins Farm Road near Harbeson.
Northstar
The latest draft of the preliminary site plan for the 758 single-family home cluster subdivision portion of the Northstar development was discussed, but no action was taken. The 433-acre site is between Route 9 and Beaver Dam Road near Lewes.
The developer had asked if the latest plan complies with the conditions of approval. County planner Michael Lowry said changes will be required to create adequate open space in one area and widen the buffer around planned adjacent commercial and multifamily units that are part of the overall development.
A recent change removes seven building lots and reconfigures roads in the eastern section to create open space.
Kevin Conlon came to the Cape Gazette with nearly 40 years of newspaper experience since graduating from St. Bonaventure University in New York with a bachelor's degree in mass communication. He reports on Sussex County government and other assignments as needed.
His career spans working as a reporter and editor at daily newspapers in upstate New York, including The Daily Gazette in Schenectady. He comes to the Cape Gazette from the Cortland Standard, where he was an editor for more than 25 years, and in recent years also contributed as a columnist and opinion page writer. He and his staff won regional and state writing awards.
Conlon was relocating to Lewes when he came across an advertisement for a reporter job at the Cape Gazette, and the decision to pursue it paid off. His new position gives him an opportunity to stay in a career that he loves, covering local news for an independently owned newspaper.
Conlon is the father of seven children and grandfather to two young boys. In his spare time, he trains for and competes in triathlons and other races. Now settling into the Cape Region, he is searching out hilly trails and roads with wide shoulders. He is a fan of St. Bonaventure sports, especially rugby and basketball, as well as following the Mets, Steelers and Celtics.
