MILTON, DE -- Plans for significant development in Milton are on the horizon as Ocean One Holdings, LLC, a developer in Rehoboth, has submitted an application to rezone nearly 65 acres of land near the intersection of Route 16 and Route 1.
Although the details are not yet finalized, the proposed changes could bring retail stores and an entertainment complex to the area.
Currently, the Delaware Department of Transportation is working to install a bridge and exit/enter ramps at the intersection of Route 16 and Route 1. The $30 million project is expected to be completed in late 2025. However, the rezoning proposal suggests that more transformations might be in store for the community.
"I've heard that it could be condos, it could be possibly retail spaces," says Milton resident Danielle Evans. "I heard a small rumor about a movie theater or something like that."
She is not pleased with the idea, citing concerns about increased traffic.
"They've moved from Rehoboth and building that area, then to Lewes and building that area, and they're moving down 24," says Evans. "Now they're moving out this way. It's not going to stop. It's horrible. It's too much traffic."
The developer's attorney, David Hutt, went before the Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 3 to set forth the developer's thoughts and perspective.
In a statement to WBOC, Hutt says: "As described during the public hearing, the proposed rezoning is appropriate because it is consistent with the County’s Comprehensive Plan which identifies this property as being part of a Developing/Growth Area, central water and sewer are available, the property has access to two major roadways (Rts. 1 and 16), and DelDOT is presently spending over $30M to create a grade separated intersection for these two roads. DelDOT’s current construction of the grade separated intersection is important because these infrastructure improvements will be completed prior to there being any commercial use of the property."
Stewart Etheridge, an employee at an auto shop next to the proposed development, expressed his interest in the potential changes.
"I'm pretty excited about it," says Etheridge. "It'll help drum up the business here and give us more entertainment and stuff to do in Milton as opposed to going down to the beaches."
The Sussex County Council has scheduled a public hearing to discuss the rezoning application. It will take place on February 20, 2024.