Barn Hill Preserve owner seeks county approval

Sloths and kangaroos in Sussex County? The answer is yes.

A small zoo has been operating outside Frankford for the past two years, and now the owner has filed for a conditional use with Sussex County officials to bring Barn Hill Preserve of Delaware into compliance with county code. A conditional use is required because a zoological park is not a permitted use in AR-1 agricultural-residential districts.

Owner Josh Mueller, who grew up and now lives on the 7-acre property at 32415 Peppers Corner Road, has plans for new programs along with upgrades and expansion to the preserve during a two-phase project.

Mueller, who has a degree in wildlife ecology from Louisiana State University, said the main mission of Barn Hill Preserve is education of children and adults. “I really want to share my love of animals with the community,” he said during a Feb. 10 Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing. “Anyone who knows me, knows my true passion for animals.”

The preserve includes several buildings and paddocks to house more than 25 exotic animals, including the stars of the preserve, two-toed sloths and red kangaroos. Several programs have been developed to provide interactions between the animals and people, including kangaroo yoga, and painting and sipping with sloths. Otter swims are also a popular program.

Other animals, some of which are endangered or threatened species, include an owl, camel, aardvark and wallabies.

“I have no intention of building a massive zoo,” Mueller said. “We are here to offer a more personal experience with our guided tours.”

During their visits, guests have an opportunity to create their own experiences interacting with the animals.

Mueller said visits to the preserve are by reservation only and limited to 25 people. With a staff of 11, the preserve also provides outreach programs to schools throughout the Northeast and East Coast. He said in 2021, the preserve's mobile units provided free programs to 300,000 students.

Mueller said tours began last summer, and kangaroo yoga started in 2020. In addition, several outreach programs took place during the pandemic. He plans to be open from April through Christmas for tours and programs, with no activities beyond 9 p.m.

In addition to enclosed paddocks for each animal, the state requires an 8-foot fence around the perimeter of the property.

Mueller said he has a U.S. Department of Agriculture Class C license, which is the same level as every zoo in the nation. In addition, he said, the operation is inspected every year.

He said a zoological veterinarian visits the preserve every month and is available 24 hours a day. In addition, he uses the services of veterinarian Mike Metzler, who owns Four Paws Animal Hospital in Bridgeville. A zoological nutritionist plans diets tailored to each individual animal.

Mueller said he realizes some of the animals can be vocal at times. “But they are no louder than any other agricultural animal,” he said.

Commissioner Kim Hoey Stevenson said the preserve is akin to an agricultural use, which is permitted in AR-1 zoning districts.

Mueller said he explored the use as an agri-tourism activity, but the preserve was “too out of the box” because of the animals chosen.

Commissioner Keller Hopkins asked how the preserve is funded. Mueller said admission and programming fees cover costs.

One resident called in during the hearing to voice her opposition to the application. Barbara Pickholtz, who lives adjacent to the property on Beaver Dam Road, said the commercial enterprise has been operating in a residential area for two years.

“The bottom line is that this is a residential area and not the place for a zoo. These animals belong in a safe zoo in an appropriate environment,” she said.

Pickholtz said residents in the area purchased their homes knowing a commercial enterprise would not be built in their backyards. She said the project creates noise, traffic and waste management issues.

The commission deferred a vote on the application for further consideration. Sussex County Council has scheduled a public hearing at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 22, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.