Lewes planners recommend Donovan-Smith conditional-use permit

The Lewes Planning Commission has unanimously recommended approval of a conditional-use permit application submitted by the owners of the Donovan-Smith Manufactured Home Park.

A conditional-use permit would allow owners Ken Burnham and Donovan-Smith MHP LLC to place 30 new homes on empty lots, officially known as leased-land areas, in the community. It also allows residents to replace a home damaged by fire or a storm, for example.

The city annexed Donovan-Smith in 2022, with the goal of creating more affordable housing.

Last year, the Board of Public Works connected all residents to city water and sewer, bypassing underground septic tanks that had been leaking for years. The community’s streets were then repaved.

Still, residents say much needs to be done, like removing piles of debris and fixing an unreliable electrical system.

Before voting June 18, the planning commission added 13 conditions aimed at improving quality of life, which the owners must meet before final site-plan approval. Conditions include:

• Remove invasive species in open space 

• Clean up all debris in open space

• Obtain Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control approval before any building permit is issued for any vacant site that formerly contained now-abandoned septic tanks or septic fields

• Turnaround at the end of lot A-25 for emergency access, if required by the state fire marshal

• Owner shall pay $5,000, as offered, for amenities in open space, to be completed within six months of final site-plan approval

• Maximum number of leased-land areas shall be 129

• Owner shall be required to execute and record the applicable utility easements with the Lewes BPW

• Landlord must obtain all variances before placing manufactured homes on sites that do not meet code requirements

• Final site plan shall be amended to show compliance with conditions of approval

• No building permit shall be issued until the conditions have been met

• Owner shall correct stagnant, standing water by grading, planting trees or other means

• Identify on final site plan where former septic tanks and fields were located

• Consider site testing of soil and water for contaminants or environmental hazards created by historical sewage overflow on the property.

John Paradee, the owner’s attorney, said he is satisfied with most of the conditions.

“I think they overreached on some, but I don’t think there was anything that was a huge problem. This has been a very long road, so this an important milestone for us, and I’m grateful for that,” Paradee said. 

Toni Bowman was the only Donovan-Smith resident to address the commission. She said standing water has been a concern since she moved in 10 years ago, and not just from the recent repaving.

“The first road we always called Grandview Lake, because every time it rained, you could almost go swimming, so I don’t think it was from construction,” Bowman said.

Mayor and city council will consider the recommendation at a future meeting.

Earlier in the LPC meeting, commissioners elected Rich Innes as chair, Kevin Keane as vice chair and Bill Wolff as secretary.

The vote was 6-0, with commissioners Debra Evalds and Marylinda Maddi abstaining.

Innes succeeds Melanie Moser, who stepped down as chair, but will serve on the commission until September.