Chappell Farm receives six-month extension
Because of pending state transportation plans for the Cave Neck Road-Route 1 grade-separated interchange project, the developer of Chappell Farm received a six-month extension from Sussex County Council during its May 21 meeting.
A conditional use for the multifamily component with 128 apartments at the intersection was approved June 22, 2021, and was set to expire this June 22. Work must be started within three years or the conditional use is no longer valid.
In a letter to council, Michael Riemann of engineer Becker Morgan Group said final engineering of the multifamily portion of the project is heavily dependent on DelDOT’s design and construction of the interchange.
He said the interchange requires the coordination of shared utilities, stormwater management and grading. “As such, we could not complete the engineering of Chappell Farm until DelDOT completed its efforts,” Riemann wrote.
He said they received updated design plans Jan. 5, and those plans have been incorporated into the Chappell Farm design. The construction plans for the project have been completed and submitted to all agencies for final review.
“We do not expect approvals in time necessary to start construction prior to the expiration of the conditional-use approval,” he added.
Riemann said site work is expected to begin in late September and be substantially completed by Dec. 22, which is the new deadline.
Chappell Farm plans
Developers Christian and Jamin Hudson filed two rezoning applications – from AR-1, agricultural-residential, to MR, medium-density residential, and C-3 heavy commercial – and a conditional-use application for multifamily housing on the 15-acre parcel.
The plan includes 128 apartment units in four 15,040-square-foot buildings and 23,790 feet of commercial space with a service road, amenities, parking and stormwater management facilities along Route 1 and Cave Neck Road.
Construction of the commercial section along Route 1 cannot begin until the interchange is completed.
A 40-foot vegetated buffer is required along the parcel’s boundary with Red Fox Run, a community adjacent to the property. A service road will be required to allow Red Fox Run residents to have access to Cave Neck Road and the new interchange.
Red Fox Run’s current entrance to the southbound Route 1 lanes will be converted to a cul-de-sac as part of the grade-separated interchange project.
Road improvements
The developer has filed a 500-page traffic impact study to state transportation officials.
Among other road improvements, the plan includes two entrances from the parcel to Cave Neck Road, a right-in access from southbound Route 1 and a service road.
The Cave Neck Road access road closest to Route 1 will connect to a roundabout near the new interchange.
The developers will also be required to provide partial funding for the following projects: Cave Neck Road-Sweetbriar Road-Hudson Road intersection; Route 1-Minos Conaway Road grade-separated interchange; Route 1-Oyster Rocks Road intersection; and Route 1-Hudson Road-Steamboat Landing Road intersection.
