Sussex officials set hearing for Harbor Point
Sussex County officials are set to hear plans for Harbor Point, a 69-lot subdivision proposed just outside Lewes city limits.
Developer Jack Lingo Asset Management LLC is seeking a cluster subdivision on the 108-acre parcel along Park Road, adjacent to Canary Creek, a housing subdivision that lies within Lewes city limits.
The county planning and zoning commission's public hearing is scheduled at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, in the county administration building on The Circle in Georgetown.
Originally filed in Sussex County in April 2013, the Harbor Point application was withdrawn when Lewes officials expressed interest in the project. The developer then worked with City of Lewes officials on possible annexation, but has now opted to withdraw the Lewes application and resubmit plans to Sussex County officials.
It's the second subdivision application that Jack Lingo Management has removed from the Lewes docket and then filed with Sussex County. Jack Lingo Management LLC had its application approved Aug. 7 for the 166-lot Showfield subdivision along Gills Neck Road just outside city limits. The Harbor Point and Showfield applications went through several hearings and meetings with various Lewes officials; in both cases, the annexation process was underway when the applications were withdrawn.
Lewes Mayor Ted Becker said he wished the developer had stayed with the city.
“I would have preferred they were a part of the city,” he said. “It's certainly going to look as though it is a part of the city. I think it's a matter of they're anxious to get started with the project, and they feel as though our process is cumbersome.”
The proposed project is on a parcel in a 100-year floodplain zone containing 70 acres of wetlands. The housing project would be surrounded on three sides by the Great Marsh, which the developers say will remain undisturbed.
A recommendation made by state agencies during the Preliminary Land Use Service process included at least 100-foot buffers from the edge of wetlands to lot lines. The developer has proposed 50-foot buffers from wetlands, meeting the county's minimum requirement.
Under proposed plans submitted to the county, basements would be prohibited in the development. Lots would average about 9,300 square feet, plans show.
The community would feature a pool and pool house with sidewalks on both sides of the streets. Access would be from Park Avenue via an entry road. A multi-use path along Park Avenue is required by the state. Utilities would be provided by the Lewes Board of Public Works.
State transportation officials say the proposed project would generate about 750 in-and-out trips per day.
Subdivision site has a long history
The site of the proposed Harbor Point has a long history. It was purchased in 1965 by the Hercules Powder Company to build plants to make gun powder, but the company was stymied by the Coastal Zone Act in 1971. It was sold by Hercules to Sussex County as a site for a regional wastewater treatment facility and spray irrigation; however, state environmental officials rejected the property for spray irrigation because the soil was too porous and sandy. Current owner J.G. Townsend bought it from the county in 1994.
In April, the 635-acre parcel land was subdivided to create the 108-acre parcel for Harbor Point.
stateplanning.delaware.gov/plus/projects/2014/2014-05-03.pdf
