Coral Lakes hearing on Sussex P&Z agenda

Robinsonville Road has become a hot spot for development, and another subdivision application is scheduled for a public hearing on the Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission's Thursday, Jan. 27 agenda.

The planning and zoning commission has already approved five new subdivisions on and near Robinsonville Road with 755 single-family home lots.

Coral Lakes, a 315 single-family home lot cluster subdivision is proposed for a 152-acre parcel on the southwest side of Robinsonville Road near Lewes across from Webb's Landing Road and the Chase Oaks subdivision, which is under construction.

State agencies comment on application

The parcel contains 143.5 acres of woods, with approximately 95.5 acres proposed to be removed for development.

In its Preliminary Land Use Service comments, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control officials noted there is a strong possibility that the parcel contains a mature forest. They recommended that a forest assessment be conducted to verify if mature trees exist, and if they are present, every effort should be made to preserve them.

The parcel also contains nearly 6 acres of tidal wetlands. DNREC officials recommended that a 100-foot vegetated buffer be placed along the area, known as Sarah Run.

State planners noted that the parcel has acreage in both Level 3 and Level 4 areas of the state's Delaware Strategies for State Polices and Spending. Planners said that development should only occur in the Level 3 area of the property.

The AR-1 agricultural-residential zoned parcel is designated in the coastal area on the county's future land-use map where housing development is permitted.

The state strategies are a guide for growth in the state based on five levels assigned to land. The strategies highlight areas most prepared for growth and where the state can make the most cost-effective investments in roads, schools and other public facilities and services.

Level 1 and Level 2 areas are most suited for development with existing infrastructure and more population.

Level 3 – Land in long-term growth plans where development is not necessary to accommodate expected population growth over a five-year period. The state will consider investment in infrastructure when adjacent Level 1 and Level 2 areas are built out.

Level 4 – Places that are rural with farmlands and preserved areas where the state does not support major development.

Property is in Henlopen TID

The property is located within the Henlopen Transportation Improvement District, and the developer will be required to pay a fee of $4,900 to $5,145 per unit to fund off-site road improvements. Under the agreement approved by Sussex County Council and DelDOT officials, the funds will be paid to the county and released to DelDOT when road work occurs.

Twenty-four percent of the cost will be covered by developers. DelDOT will provide the remaining 76 percent of funds for projects through its six-year capital transportation program.

Plans for subdivision

Applicant Schell Brothers' plans include an average lot size of 7,886 square feet with 11 lots purchased under the county's bonus density program at $20,000 per lot. Those funds are used to purchase open space.

Included in the plans for the proposed subdivision are sidewalks, walking trails, a pool and pool house, dog park, pocket parks, connection to a DelDOT multimodal path on Robinsonville Road, a 30-foot landscaped buffer around the perimeter of the property, and a 50-foot agricultural buffer along farmland areas.

For more information, go to tinyurl.com/3cphaudt.

New subdivisions on Robinsonville Road:

Chase Oaks – 253 lots on 145 acres, under construction.

Tanager Woods – 168 lots on 103 acres, approved.

Tidewater Landing – 195 lots on 163 acres, under construction.

Outer Banks North and South (Jimtown Road also) – 49 lots on 33 acres.

Kindleton (Cedar Grove Road also) – 90 lots on 49 acres, under construction.

Also on Sussex P&Z agenda

The commission is expected to vote on the following under old business: Autumndale, 104 single-family home lots on 74 acres on the south side of Hollyville Road near Harbeson; Turnberry, 196 single-family home lots on 135.5 acres on the east and southeast side of Hollyville Road near Harbeson; and Miralon, 144 single-family home lots on 72 acres on the northeast side of Cool Spring Road near Lewes.

Meetings start at 5 p.m. See a complete agenda and meeting materials at sussexcountyde.gov. Meetings are available in person, livestreamed at sussexcountyde.gov/council-chamber-broadcast and by phone by calling 302-394-5036 using code 570176.