UPDATED: Sussex County Council Denies Borrow Pit near Laurel
UPDATED – 03/11/25 – The Sussex County Council recognized County retiree Loretta Benson. Benson has worked in the County Finance Department for over 29 years. Benson and several family members were on hand to celebrate her retirement.
In Old Business, the Council revisited Conditional Use 2454, filed on behalf of H&K Group, Inc., for a borrow pit to be located on over 309 acres off Shiloh Church Road near Laurel. The Council has heard from multiple county residents during the public hearing for this application – most in opposition of the project. Councilman Matt Lloyd told the Council that he cannot support a borrow pit in this location citing noise, dust, increased truck traffic and the possible impacts on the groundwater on the nearby residential and farming operations. The Council voted 4 to 1 to deny the application – Councilman Steve McCarron was the lone vote in support.
Commercial property to the left – the 94 affordable housing units in 4 buildings to the right / Image courtesy SussexCountyde.gov
There were three land use applications before the Council all related to Northstar Property, LLC. Change of Zone No. 2025 – to change from an AR1 to C-3 heavy commercial district for just over 12 and a half acres and Change of Zone No. 2026 from an AR1 to MR-medium density residential for just under 8 acres and a Conditional Use No 2499 to allow for 94 multi-family dwelling units which would be affordable housing west of Lewes. Before the public hearings began, representatives from DelDOT spoke on the proposed development because it falls in the Henlopen Transportation Improvement District (TID) and how the TID relates to these applications.
Because of the affordable housing aspect of this part of the development, some of the comments made were mixed and not totally in opposition. However even those who were not totally opposed to these applications still have plenty of concerns regarding traffic, the schedules of the build-outs, a road that will not connect outside of the development and subdivision for some time. Representatives from the Sussex Preservation Coalition spoke extensively on various aspects of this project – much focusing on traffic and the already increasing traffic volumes on Route 9 and Beaver Dam Road as well as the volume of traffic that will eventually also come from the Northstar Property. The Commercial property was discussed, but since it’s not known what sort of businesses would be located there – and feel a B-1 or C-1 zoning would be more appropriate.
The full Northstar Property, LLC plan – including the 758 home subdivision already approved by P&Z. Arrow shows application area being considered by the County Council for the Commercial and affordable housing sections / Image courtesy SussexCountyde.gov
Some residents who spoke feel the ‘affordable housing’ aspect was bait to get the full project approved. They also cited traffic, needed buffers and other issues in their comments.
While the three applications before the Council are not large projects – the final application for a subdivision has already been approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The P&Z approved the subdivision of 758 homes on over 399 acres last October. With all 4 applications the total size of the property is over 433 acres. The Sussex County Council does not see subdivision applications – unless it is for an appeal. The Northstar Property, LLC is one of the largest subdivisions considered by the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Votes on the three applications before the County Council Tuesday have been deferred for additional consideration and the record left open to get more information from DelDOT. The Council will revisit the three applications at a future meeting.
The Sussex County Council does not meet on March 18th. The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 25th.
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Image courtesy SussexCountyde.gov
ORIGINAL STORY – 03/10/25 – The Sussex County Council will meet Tuesday afternoon beginning at 1pm. The Council will revisit a Conditional Use application in Old Business for a borrow pit to be located on Shiloh Church Road.
There are three land use applications that will be heard at 1:30pm for Northstar Property, LLC. There are two Change of Zone applications – No. 2025 and 2026 and a Conditional Use application No. 2499 for a Medium Density residential district – for 94 multi-family dwellings located on a nearly 8-acre portion of property containing over 433 acres off Route 9 west of Lewes.
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