Sussex P&Z amends conditions on five subdivisions

Requests by developers to the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission to amend conditions of approvals for subdivisions are not common. However, commissioners have been hit with several over the past few months. At its June 23 meeting, the commission approved five requests.

The developer of Villages at Red Mill Pond South on Route 9 west of Lewes was granted a change from two years to three years for completion of a clubhouse in the community, which is under construction. The subdivision plan includes 177 single-family home lots on 82 acres.

Four of the requests involved changes in wording for open space preservation made by developer Schell Brothers. Assistant county attorney Vince Robertson said although requests such as these have never been submitted before, the change gives developers some leeway in the final amount of open space after all engineering is completed on a site. However, he added, the final acreage cannot deviate substantially from the amount in the condition. The approved changes include:

• Autumndale, south side of Hollyville Road between Harbeson and Long Neck. A change that the final site plan shall confirm 50 acres, more or less, of the site remain as open space subject to final engineering. The plan includes 104 single-family lots on 74 acres.

• Turnberry, east and southeast side of Hollyville Road between Harbeson and Long Neck. A change that at least 65%, more or less, of the site remain as open space subject to final engineering. The plan includes 196 single-family lots on 135.5 acres.

• Lightship Cove, south side of Fisher Road between Lewes and Harbeson. A change that 54%, more or less, of existing woodlands be preserved subject to final engineering. The plan includes 97 single-family lots on 49 acres.

• Miralon, northeast side of Cool Spring Road near Lewes. Changes that 50% of the site remain as open space subject to final engineering; pool and clubhouse construction be completed and open for use on or before issuance of the 71st building permit; and a new condition that a forest assessment be conducted to determine if mature forest exists on the site and that mature trees be identified. The subdivision will have 144 single-family lots on 72 acres.

For more information, go to sussexcountyde.gov/sites/default/files/packets/06.23.2022%20Other%20Business%20Paperless%20Packet.pdf.