Apartments, storage facility proposed in Long Neck

The Route 24 corridor through the Long Neck area has become a regional commercial and residential center in Sussex County.

At its March 24 meeting, the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission heard plans for a project combining both.

American Storage of Delaware LLC (Alex Pires) has filed two rezoning applications and a conditional-use application for an apartment complex and self-storage facility along Route 24 just south of the Bay Farm-Autumn Road intersection on a 26-acre vacant lot.

The applicant is seeking a rezoning from AR-1 agricultural-residential to C-3 heavy commercial for an 8-acre section, and a rezoning from AR-1 to MR medium-density residential and a conditional use for 140 multifamily housing units on an 18-acre section.

Speaking on behalf of the applicant, attorney Mackenzie Peet said the property is located in the county's coastal area, where commercial and multifamily housing are allowed. “Mixed-use development is permitted, and it complies with the county comprehensive plan,” she said.

A 150,000-square-foot storage facility with office space and 838 units is planned for the C-3 section. “There is a demand for increased storage facilities, and C-3 zoning is compatible with the surrounding area,” Peet said.

Commission Chair Bob Wheatley noted that the C-3 rezoning request was not a site-plan review, and if the application is approved, the applicant will be required to submit a site plan to the commission.

The proposed apartment complex would consist of five, 3-story buildings with 28 units in each, along with a clubhouse, pool and playground. There would be 283 parking spaces, plus 12 designated for handicapped users.

Peet said central water service would be provided by Tidewater Utilities, and sewer service would be provided by Sussex County.

A traffic-impact study was not required, but the applicant would have to pay $11,700 to Delaware Department of Transportation's area-wide study fund. The applicant would also be required to make road frontage improvements, including a shared-use path, and provide some funding for two DelDOT intersection improvement projects at Route 24 and Mount Joy Road, and Route 24 and Bay Farm Road.

Commissioners deferred a vote to a future meeting. Sussex County Council will have a public hearing on the three applications at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 10, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.