P&Z recommends approval of Osprey Point

Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a recommendation to rezone the proposed Osprey Point development .

At its June 23 meeting, the commission recommended approving the rezoning of former Old Landing Golf Course from AR-1 agricultural residential to MR-RPC medium density residential district, a zoning classification reserved for large residential developments.

Osprey Point has been in the works for years, and has been drastically reduced from the 339 mixed-use lots to 217 single-family residential lots. The development originally called for 180 townhomes, which were completely removed from the plans and replaced with 58 single-family lots.

Commissioner Michael Johnson said the changes represent a 36 percent reduction in density, from 2.7 units per acre to 1.7 units per acre. Johnson said the changes comply with the county zoning ordinance.

The commission imposed a number of conditions on the project: no more than 217 units, no townhouses, all roadways must be completed by the developer, the project must be approved by the Sussex Conservation District, have sidewalks on both sides with street lights and a 25-foot buffer to Arnell Creek, which runs through the 127-acre property.

The Old Landing Golf Course, located on Old Landing Road off Route 24, has been owned by the Marshall family for nearly a century. Current owner Robert Marshall has owned the property since 1991; the golf course has been on the site since 1960, when the first nine holes were built; the second nine were built in 1968.

No testimony or comment was taken at the June 23 meeting. The motion passed 3-0 with members Martin Ross and Douglas Hudson abstaining because they did not attend the public hearing on the rezoning.