Osprey Point marina, restaurant hearing set Sept. 19

The public will have another chance to comment on an application that would pave the way for a marina and restaurant in the Osprey Point subdivision at the end of Old Landing Road near Rehoboth Beach.

Osprey Point Preserve LLC is seeking to amend a rezoning of MR-RPC, medium-density residential planned community, that has already been approved. Construction is underway on the 217 single-family homes planned on a 127-acre parcel, which formerly was the location of Old Landing Golf Course. The subdivision was approved in November 2016.

A public hearing before Sussex County Council is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.

The proposed marina would have 24 slips with three docks, including one to launch non-motorized boats, with 82 parking spaces, a 3,259-square-foot restaurant, a pool and bar on a 1.85-acre parcel along Arnell Creek near Rehoboth Bay. The amenities would be available to residents and the public.

At its Jan. 22 meeting, the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission approved the marina but denied the restaurant because of residents' concerns with noise, lighting and traffic.

Conditions placed on the application by the commission included no fuel dispensing or boat repairs, as well as a 50-foot buffer from tidal waters and a 25-foot buffer from nontidal waters. The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control would have to approve the final marina plans.

The marina is designed for pontoon and small runaround boats less than 24 feet with shallow drafts, which is the type of boat used by most boaters on the tributaries of Rehoboth Bay.