UPDATED: Sussex County Council Keeps Records Open for BelMead Farms and Atlantic Fields Proposals

Proposed Atlantic Fields Shopping Center / Image courtesy Sussex County Government

UPDATED – 10/21/25 – The Sussex County Council met Tuesday. There were 5 public hearings – one for a sewer annexation and 4 land use applications – scheduled for the afternoon session.

Traffic was the overwhelming topic for many of the nearly 30 Sussex County residents who commented during a public hearing for a Change of Zone application for Mulberry Knoll Associates, LLC. The Council members questioned the applicant’s attorney for some time as well as representatives from DelDOT on their traffic concerns in regards to the Henlopen TID. Along with traffic, residents had concerns about the infrastructure, lack of housing, planned roundabouts and tractor trailer traffic making deliveries, the safety of those on the road – in cars and riding bicycles in the area and the ability of police and emergency personnel to reach neighboring and area communities. The Council after 5 1/2 hours of testimony has deferred a vote on the application. The record is being kept open for two weeks so the Council can request additional information from the Conservation District and DelDOT and then another 2 weeks after those responses are given for public comment in writing or by email from the public on those responses.

The Council also had two pieces of Old Business. The Change of Zone No 2001 on behalf of BelMead Farm was revisited, but for an update from Planning & Zoning Director Jamie Whitehouse who told the Council that responses had been received from DelDOT and State Forestry and that the public still had one more week to comment on those responses which have been added to the land use record on the website. Public comment will be taken in writing or by email through 4:30pm on Tuesday, October 28th.

The second piece of Old Business was as Conditional Use No. 2568 application for an electronic message center for the Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware on Route 9 west of Lewes. Councilwoman Jane Gruenebaum amended the conditions to have the sign turned off between 10pm and 7am, which was approved by the Council unanimously. The amended CU was also approved with a 5 to 0 vote.

The Director of Community Development and Housing, Brandy Nauman, came before the Council with a resolution for the Council’s support and approval to submit an application to the State Housing Authority for a technical assistance for zoning and land use reform that would expand affordable housing options. Nauman told the Council that the possible reforms given by DSHA mostly align with the recommendations from the recent Land Use Reform Workshop meeting and that there would be no cost to the County if selected for the program – and no consequences if they don’t pass or move forward with any of the chosen reforms. The Council approved the submission of the application – which has to be received by DSHA by the end of the month.

The Sussex County Council will not meet next Tuesday. The next Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 4. No agenda has yet been posted.

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ORIGINAL STORY – 10/20/25 – The Sussex County Council will meet Tuesday at 10am in Georgetown. The Council will get an annual update on the UD Carvel Research and Education Center in Georgetown.

The Council will revisit the BelMead Farms change of zone application in Old Business and hold an afternoon public hearing on a change of zone application for Mulberry Knoll Associates, LLC – for the proposed Atlantic Fields shopping center – at Route 24 and Mulberry Knoll Road west of Lewes.  There are 5 public hearings on 4 land use applications and 1 sewer annexation during the afternoon session which begins at 1:30pm. 

The Council will discuss a resolution from Director of Community Housing, Brandy Nauman, to the State Housing Authority to provide a technical assistance for zoning and land use reform that will expand affordable housing options.

The Sussex County Council meets at 10am in the County Administration Building on The Circle in Georgetown.

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