LEWES, DE. — A proposed 90-townhome development off Savannah Road, known as the Overfall Preserve, is sparking debate among residents and city officials as Lewes' City Council held a public hearing on the project March 31st.
The development site sits next to the Dutchman’s Harvest neighborhood, which is currently under construction. If approved, the Overfall Preserve’s preliminary site plan includes a single exit onto Savannah Road—the same exit Dutchman’s Harvest will use.
Some nearby residents have expressed concerns about the impact on local traffic.
"How's that gonna be at times like when the schools are getting out? What happens when the Beebe hospital has emergencies? How bad is that traffic?" neighbor Mark Carr told WBOC.
In response to some traffic concerns, the Lewes Planning Commission is recommending a traffic study to assess the potential increase in congestion and determine if additional exits are necessary.
Other residents say they support the development, as long as infrastructure improvements accompany the growth.
"The infrastructure in this area needs to be improved. So yeah, traffic is a problem, but not like New York, Los Angeles, Washington," John Feliciani said.
Carol Garner, who owns the Overfall Preserve property, acknowledged the lengthy discussions surrounding the project but remains hopeful it will move forward.
"It's been a hard fight. I'm hoping it gets to be done here pretty soon," Garner said. "Traffic is what it is. I mean, the traffic's there. One more thing isn't, and they should've thought of this twenty years ago, but one more thing isn't gonna back it up anymore than it is now."
WBOC reached out to the site’s developer on Monday but did not receive a response.