Plans are moving forward for a new convenience store with fuel pumps at the intersection of Route 24 and Mulberry Knoll Road adjacent to Beacon Middle School near Lewes.

However, the original plan submitted by developer V&M LLC of Rehoboth Beach has been modified.

During its July 24 meeting, the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission approved a new site plan that does not include a proposed 12,000-square-foot office building and increases the size of the convenience store from 5,000 to 5,915 square feet.

Representing the developer, Zach Crouch, an engineer with Davis, Bowen & Friedel, said the original conditional-use application was approved last April and the site plan was approved June 22, 2023.

Although the parcel is included in the Henlopen Transportation Improvement District, Crouch said Delaware Department of Transportation staff said the commercial project did not qualify for participation in the district.

However, he said, the developer was required to conduct a traffic-impact study and contribute funds for road improvements at the intersection. A new traffic signal was put into operation on July 7, 2023.

“We don’t get many who come in and ask for less,” said Commission Chair Bob Wheatley.

Roadwork part of plan

The plan includes a right-in, right-out entrance along Route 24 and a full-access entrance along Mulberry Knoll Road. Attorney Jim Fuqua said the developer and DelDOT officials reached an agreement to coordinate road improvements.

Traffic counts from 2019 show average daily traffic of 19,793 vehicles along Route 24 and 517 vehicles along Mulberry Knoll Road.

DelDOT will require the developer to improve the road frontage along Mulberry Knoll Road with a southbound through lane and turn lane at the site access. The left-turn lane from Mulberry Knoll Road to Route 24 would be required to be lengthened 40 feet.

According to the site plan, the convenience store would be in the front of the property, set back 200 feet from Route 24.

A DART bus stop would be provided along Route 24.

Among the conditions are a fence and pathway along the border with Beacon Middle School.