Dorman Farm project on P&Z agenda
Story Location:
lewes, DE
United States
A developer is seeking a zoning change for a proposed 387-unit subdivision off Mulberry Knoll Road near Lewes.
Sussex Real Estate Partners LLC (Belle Terre) has filed a rezoning application from AR-1, agricultural-residential, to MR-RPC, medium-density residential district, residential-planned community, for a 127-acre parcel on the Dorman Farm.
A public hearing has been scheduled at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 28, by the Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.
The preliminary site plan includes 387 units and 42 acres of open space with access from Dorman Lane to Mulberry Knoll Road. No frontage is planned on Mullberry Knoll Road.
During the Preliminary Land Use Service state agency review of the project, environmental officials expressed concern about the possibility of endangered amphibians and plants on or near the parcel.
There are about 13 acres of wetlands on the parcel and Hetty Fisher Pond and Welches Pond are in the vicinity of the proposed development. In response to the state comments, the developer said the project's property line is at least 1,000 feet from Welches Pond and a 60- to 140-foot buffer would be retained around Hetty Fisher Pond. The developer noted most of the proposed lots would be located on well-drained uplands.
The developer's traffic impact study indicated the proposed community would create about 3,000 vehicle trips per day.
Two other projects – Love Creek Elementary School and a new Delaware State Police Troop 7 building – are being constructed in the area.
The public record is available at the county's planning and zoning department from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
