Schell Brothers has established itself as one of the most successful developers and home builders in southern Delaware, recently having sold over 500 homes annually while generating over $340 million in revenue (2019). With nine active developments in southern Delaware, many more already completed, the company markets itself as focusing on homebuyer happiness and community orientation, and takes great pride in its many supported community initiatives.
However, Schell is making an ill-advised decision in proposing the Coral Lakes development on Robinsonville Road near Lewes. This development would establish a 315-lot cluster subdivision on 152 acres, where today stands mature forest with a high water table and wetlands. This proposal is problematic for many reasons including:
• Portions of the property have been designated as Level 4 by the state, meaning “the state does not support major development.” This will result in no state contributions to the surrounding infrastructure as a result of this development
• Areas on this tract are designated as wetlands. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers are working to have the 2015 wetlands definition reinstated (according to the Army Corps of Engineers, they have been), while Schell appears to be trying to circumvent this concern on technicalities under the relaxed conservation rules
• The area around and near Robinsonville Road is rapidly becoming overdeveloped. Ten roadways and intersections are failing or will soon fail, according to a recent DelDOT study. The local infrastructure simply cannot support additional development. DelDOT has no plans to improve Robinsonville Road
• The destruction of this forested tract would seriously damage the natural environment and destroy the habitat of multiple wildlife species. Where will the animals go?
In fact, the proposal makes a mockery of many of the 17 issues to be considered by the P&Z commission before a development is approved, including:
• Integration of the proposed subdivision into existing terrain and surrounding landscape
• Minimal use of wetlands and floodplains
• Preservation of natural and historical features
• Preservation of open space and scenic views
• Minimization of tree, vegetation and soil removal and grade changes
• Effect on area roadways and public transportation.
If the project is approved as proposed, it would directly violate many of DNREC’s recommendations for this land. For example, the DNREC report states: “Do not disturb wetland areas, even if they are no longer considered to be jurisdictional wetlands under current federal requirements.” This project application proposes to disturb/fill upwards of 25 acres of non-tidal wetlands. Only five acres of now jurisdictional wetlands (under the new ruling) will remain, with no wetlands permitting or wetlands mitigation required. Filling these wetlands areas, then building homes and infrastructure upon them, will directly result in adverse drainage and flooding impacts for future residents and neighbors. The report also notes that the property is located within the Delaware Ecological Network. “Removing forested areas within the Delaware Ecological Network should be avoided to the greatest extent possible. These areas provide wildlife habitat, uptake nutrients, infiltrate stormwater and improve water quality.”
We, the concerned residents of Tidewater Landing who have signed this letter, each living in a Schell home, consider this proposal to be a serious detriment to our community and our surrounding area. We are extremely disappointed and disillusioned with Schell over this proposal. Clearly, the proposed Coral Lakes development is not consistent with Schell’s claimed commitment to community well-being, and we highly recommend that Schell rethink and abandon this project.
It would be far more consistent with Schell’s commitment to the community to work with the Sussex Land Trust to help ensure this land is preserved.
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