Rabbit Hole plans met with opposition

Plans for a proposed events venue southwest of Georgetown were not met with much enthusiasm during the Aug. 12 Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

Branson James of 17638 Dusty Road near Georgetown has filed a conditional-use application to operate an events venue, known as The Rabbit Hole, on his 2-acre property. He and his wife Hope have already hosted at least six functions open to the public, including one on June 5 with a county special-events permit. The events have been presented by Knight Life, Branson's DJ business.

Functions so far have included a mix of DJ and live performances featuring electronic dance music, vendors and camping. Events, except the June 5 gathering, were advertised as BYOB.

An event called The Widdler, which includes camping, arts and vendors, is scheduled for 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 18. Tickets are advertised at $35 to $60.

Commission: Issues with application

The commission agreed the application presents a variety of issues.

“It's not family and friends. It's a business,” said Commission Chairman Bob Wheatley.

“How would the county supervise something like this?” Wheatley asked. “This is why we have a special-events ordinance with a limit of three events a year. I'm in sympathy what he's trying to do, but it's not in the right place. What he's doing is a miniature Firefly.”

“There are so many different issues with BYOB, camping and parking,” said Commissioner Kim Hoey Stevenson.

“I don't see how we could regulate any conditions,” said Commissioner Bruce Mears.

Hoey Stevenson questioned camping at the site.

“That's a whole other approval. It's a completely different use and requires another conditional use,” said assistant county attorney Vince Robertson.

James said there have been issues with parking in the past that have been addressed, including no parking along Dusty Road.

He admitted they have learned some lessons. He said music played until 5 a.m. during his birthday bash on Oct. 3, 2020. “We'll never let that happen again. We are here to do what is right,” he said. “We are trying to create a unique experience.”

At the end of the public hearing, the commission deferred a vote to a future meeting. Sussex County Council has scheduled a hearing on the application at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 14, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.

No more than two events a month

James said to provide an outdoor venue during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his wife hosted parties with music for family and friends. “It grew because people liked it. We were not aware we needed a conditional use since this was on our property,” he said.

Besides concerts, he said, they would like to expand the uses to include weddings, arts and crafts festivals, and outdoor movies.

He said they plan to host no more than two events a month with a limit of 300 people in attendance and would curtail hours if required.

Advertising of events is done through the Rabbit Hole's Facebook page.

Neighbors file noise complaints

Delaware State Police have responded to noise complaints from neighbors on at least three occasions. “They've never asked us to shut down but just to tune it down a little. They told us they were coming out because they were called and had to address it,” James said.

The couple provided a video to the commission showing sound decibel readings during a concert. James said readings around the property were within the 55- to 65-decibel limit required by the state. The county does not have a noise ordinance.

Hope said for the June event, they received a special-events permit, kept parking within the site and reduced the hours to end at 11:30 p.m. They also received a state gathering license to allow one-time alcohol sales with no BYOB permitted.

‘Not the place for it’

Robin and Mike Parker, who live one-quarter mile from the site, said the area is quiet, peaceful farmland with a few houses. “I'm shaking, I'm so upset about it,” she said.

The Jameses' property is surrounded by woods and cornfields.

Parker questioned the Jameses' decibel readings. “It's so loud, we can't sleep,” she said. “We understand they want the music loud. Of course they do; it's a concert. But this is not the place for it. This is our home.”

“It's all about the bass sound going boom, boom. It drives you crazy,” said Mike.

The couple played a recording of the music during the Halloween event with people shouting to turn the music up.

“And the language is unacceptable. We can't let our grandkids go outside,” Robin said.

She said 21 residents have signed a petition against the application. “That's just about everybody who lives in the area,” she said.

The Jameses presented the commission with an online petition in favor of the application signed by more than 200 people, the vast majority of whom live out of the area.

Candy Hill, Branson's mother, said each event is like a family reunion. “There is so much love, friendship and peace there. There have been some growing pains but they have worked real hard and spent a lot of effort to do things right,” she said. “The music they play is not everyone's taste but the atmosphere is loving; we are all friends.”

Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission has placed the application on its Aug. 26 agenda. See an update in the Tuesday, Aug. 31 edition.

What's happened at the Rabbit Hole

In 2020:

July – Night in Wonderland

Aug. 29 – The Abyss

Oct. 3 – Birthday Bash

Oct. 30 and 31 – Sea of Lost Souls Halloween event

2021:

May 8 – Ice Cream Wonderland

June 5 – The Reawakening

Planned for Sept. 18 – The Widdler