The Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission reached different decisions on applications for projects near Lewes during its Nov. 29 meeting.

The commission recommended approval of three applications for 150 apartments and a 4,700-square-foot office complex at the intersection of Route 1 and Old Mill Road, but did not recommend rezoning for a parcel along Old Orchard Road. Both votes were unanimous.

County council will have the final vote on the applications and is expected to place them on the Tuesday, Dec. 11 agenda, the final meeting of the year for the current council.

Councilman George Cole, R-Ocean View, is retiring and Councilman Rob Arlett, R-Frankford, stepped down in an unsuccessful run for U.S. Senate.

Nassau DE Acquisition Co. LLC has filed applications to rezone 12.5 acres from AR-1, agricultural-residential, to MR, medium-density residential, and a conditional-use application for multifamily housing and to rezone nearly 3 acres from AR-1 to C-2 commercial for an office complex.

Making the motion for the rezoning from AR-1 to MR and the conditional use for the apartments, Commissioner Kim Hoey Stevenson said the parcel is adjacent to CR-1 zoning, which allows for up to 12 units per acre. “It’s consistent with other land use in the area. MR zoning is appropriate for this site,” she said.

However, on the recommendation of Hoey Stevenson, the commission voted to freeze the number of permitted units at 90 until completion of Minos Conaway and Route 1 road improvements, including a Route 1 service road along the frontage of the property. That project is expected to be completed in 2025.

Not in support of Old Orchard rezoning

Old Orchard Ventures LLC, C/O Barry Baker has filed an application to rezone a 6-acre parcel from AR-1 to C-2 medium commercial for offices. The application is part of a proposed multizoned complex that includes multifamily housing, offices and an assisted-living facility on a 25-acre parcel.

In making the motion for denial, Hoey Stevenson said the area around the parcel has developed over the years with residential communities and not as a commercial area. She said a conditional-use application would be more appropriate to allow more control of use of the property.

Council expected to vote Dec. 11