SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. -- On Wednesday, the Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed Belle Mead commercial development near Lewes.
According to current plans, the development would be built on a 40-acre property along Route 24, next to Beacon Middle School and adjacent to Love Creek Elementary School. The property is currently a horse farm.
The applicant, Belmead Farm, LLC, proposes a 125,000 sq. ft. commercial and retail space with up to 480 multi-family homes.
The Cape Henlopen School District sent a letter to Sussex County voicing concerns over the proposal.
"The Cape Henlopen School District operates at or near capacity across all our school facilities," saidDirector of Operations, Dr. Jason Hale. "Any additional residential development that results in an increase in student enrollment could significantly impact our ability to provide adequate educational services and space for students. Given these circumstances, we respectfully recommend that no additional residential development be approved until such time thata school construction impact fee or Voluntary School Assessment (VSA) can be implemented. This would allow the district to responsibly plan for and accommodate growth in a way that does not place the financial burden solely on our existing taxpayers."
Meanwhile, many residents living directly across the street in the Saddle Ridge neighborhood have their worries.
"I think it's unsafe from a traffic perspective," says Steven Kittka. "I think it's unsafe from a pedestrian perspective. And I think it's unsafe for the school children as well."
According to a traffic study by DelDOT, the project would significantly impact local roadways. The study findings show the development would generate more than 500 trips per day. However, a traffic light and more lanes on Route 24 would be addedas part of the project.
For the project to progress, the Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission must approve property rezoning from AR-1 Agricultural to C-4 Commercial. The Sussex County Council would then have to approve the rezoning and final site plans.