Sussex P&Z reduces units for Gills Neck Road project
The developer of a proposed project along Gills Neck Road, Lewes, received a positive recommendation from Sussex County's planning and zoning commission, but with a reduction in the number of residential units.
The Evergreene Companies LLC has filed for a rezoning from AR-1, agricultural-residential, to MR, medium-density residential, and a conditional use for multifamily housing on a 7-acre parcel at 16386 Gills Neck Road between the Showfield and Breakwater communities.
Sussex County Council will have a public hearing on the applications at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 14, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.
To make way for a larger setback from Gills Neck Road, commissioners reduced the number of proposed multifamily duplexes from 26 to 24. The developer had proposed a 60-foot setback; the commission is recommending at least a 75-foot setback from the road.
During a July 26 meeting, Commissioner Kim Hoey Stevenson said she measured other development’s setbacks along the road and found the minimum was 75 feet with most in the 80- to 100-foot range.
Conditions imposed by the commission include a minimum 20-foot forested or vegetated buffer on three sides of the property using the existing trees, connection to central water and sewer, compliance with all Delaware Department of Transportation requirements for road improvements, sidewalks on both sides of all streets and a pool and small pool house. If the applications are approved by county council, the final site plan will be subject to review and approval by the planning and zoning commission.
Gills Neck Road is included in the Lewes Scenic and Historic Byway master plan. To comply with the plan, the developer has plans to construct a shared-use path along the frontage of the property with connection to the nearby Junction and Breakwater Trail.
Hoey Stevenson said the proposed project is in character with other developments along Gills Neck Road, including MR zoning in the adjacent Breakwater community.
