Sussex P&Z approves Milton Crossing subdivision
At its Dec. 12 meeting, Sussex County Planning and Zoning acted on two pending subdivision applications.
Estates at Milton Crossing: 87 lots
The commission granted preliminary approval for Estates at Milton Crossing, an 87-single-family-lot subdivision on 102 acres of AR-1-zoned land along Reynolds Road near Milton.
Making the motion for approval, Commissioner Kim Hoey Stevenson said the density of the subdivision at 1.17 units per acre on minimum one-half-acre lots is well below the allowable density of 2 lots per acre permitted in AR-1 zoning.
She said the development will have 47 percent open space with 32 preserved acres adjacent to wetlands and an extensive tree preservation program.
Conditions of approval include 40-foot buffers along wetlands, 30-foot buffers adjacent to farmlands and a 20-foot landscaped buffer around the existing perimeter of the property.
Amenities, including a pool and poolhouse, must be open to residents prior to the issuance of the 40th building permit.
Although a section of the parcel borders the southbound lanes of Route 1, no access will be provided to the highway. Access will be from Reynolds Road.
The final site plan will be subject to review and approval of the planning and zoning commission. Sussex County Council does not review or vote on subdivision applications.
Azalea Woods: 610 lots
The commission wants more time before voting on Azalea Woods, a proposed 610-single-family-lot subdivision on 316 acres between Shingle Point Road and Gravel Hill Road east of Georgetown.
Hoey Stevenson said Delaware Department of Transportation officials testified the two main intersections on Route 9 near the proposed development would eventually be classified as failing due to increased traffic from approved and proposed projects in the area.
“Can we phase this in?” Hoey Stevenson asked.
“We’ve done that in the past for large developments, limiting permits to 100 a year,” answered Sussex County Planning and Zoning Director Janelle Cornwell. “It’s difficult to manage but it can be done.”
Hoey Stevenson questioned possible impact on nearby residential wells, a concern expressed by residents. Although the proposed subdivision would have a central water system, Hoey Stevenson said she was concerned about potential chemical runoff from lawn applications from the large number of proposed lots in the development.
Commission Chairman Bob Wheatley said that same concern has been expressed numerous times over the years. “But no one has ever come back and said they had a problem,” he said.
The commission will place the application on a future agenda for a vote.
