Sussex planners defer on plan to curb flooding

Sussex County Planning and Zoning commissioners have deferred on a plan aimed at reducing flooding at the recently approved RV park/campground within the Rehoboth Shores manufactured home park off Long Neck Road.

Commissioners have yet to rule on an amendment to eliminate nearly half of a required earthen berm. The developer says removing that section of berm will allow for free flow of runoff and stormwater from the parcel to a marsh recharge site. The change was recommended by Sussex Conservation District following a review of the site plan for the new campground, said Gene Bayard, attorney for the developer, Nanticoke Shores LLC.

Twelve conditions were placed on the conditional use by Sussex County Council overriding a recommendation for denial from the planning and zoning commission. Among the conditions, the developer had to reduce the number of proposed lots from 367 to 260 lots.

During a March 22 public hearing, Rehoboth Shores and Tall Pines Campground manager David Podlaseck said the marsh area is the only location for runoff to flow. “With the berm we would be creating a pond and water would have no direction to go but to back flood into Rehoboth Shores on Bay Boulevard,” he said.

Bayard said the developer plans to construct the remaining earthen berm with a 50-foot vegetated buffer and fence around the perimeter of the remaining parcel. Bayard said the berm and buffer would still screen the manufactured home park from view of the campground.

About 2,200 feet of the 4,682-foot-berm would be eliminated if the amendment is granted.

Commissioner Mike Johnson asked Bayard if cost was also an issue for the request. “No,” he replied. “There is no other stormwater solution to get the water off the site quickly.”

During the public hearing portion of the meeting, Rehoboth Shores resident James Robinson asked what credentials Bayard and Podlaseck had to make decisions regarding stormwater management.

Vince Robertson, assistant county attorney, answered that it wasn't Bayard or Podlaseck who determined the condition needed to be changed. “The Sussex Conservation District said they need to change the condition because a pond would be created in a big rain,” he said.