Spring Lake residents question new plan
Some residents of Spring Lake along Route 1 between Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach – the Forgotten Mile – say they were blindsided by a change in the community's original site plan for the construction of 85 additional townhouses on nearly nine acres of open space at the entrance to the community.
They claim the developer did not inform any of the seven homeowners’ associations or the one umbrella HOA in the development of the proposal until after it had been approved.
They took advantage of the newly created public comment period at Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission’s Oct. 27 meeting to voice their concerns. A revised site plan for the expansion of the community was approved by the commission Sept. 8.
Assistant county attorney Vince Robertson said the project is a permitted use in C-1 zoning, where 12 units per acre are allowed, and the proposal did not require a public hearing. Site plans acted on by the commission are not open to public comment. However, Sussex County Planning & Zoning Director Jamie Whitehouse urged residents to call his office and he would be able to answer questions or set up a meeting.
Resident Dawn Alexander said no one received plans from the developer prior to the meeting. The residents said that the high density of the townhouses – 10 units to an acre – is out of character with the existing seven communities making up Spring Lake; a large area of green space will be covered with houses; a 6-foot fence is planned to divide the new section from the rest of the community; and trees would be removed.
In addition, Alexander said residents are concerned about a waiver granted by the commission to allow parking in the front-yard setback.
“And we are not sure of the environmental impact in an area that already floods,” she said, adding there are no other fenced-off areas in Spring Lake.
Other residents questioned the possible impact on additional traffic using the entrance to the community.
The project will include two sections on both sides of the entranceway off Route 1. The smaller northern side will contain 18 units, while the south side will have 67 units.
