Sussex P&Z hears plans for Peck Farm

Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission recently heard plans for Peck Farms, a proposed cluster subdivision with 128 lots on a 64-acre parcel at 27458 Martins Farm Road near Harbeson.

At the commission’s Jan. 24 meeting, attorney Jim Fuqua, representing developer Ribera Development LLC from Millersville, Md., said the property is located in a county low-density area where single-family homes are permitted.

He said 11 of the 12 acres of forest would be preserved, and there are no wetlands on the parcel. Fuqua said development would be restricted to the farmland on the site.

Lots would range from 7,500 square feet to 11,188 square feet, with the average at 8,273 square feet.

The preliminary site plan contains 30.5 acres of open space. Fuqua said a large area of open space at the entrance off Martins Farm Road would be planted with trees and landscaping along the road frontage.

The plan also includes sidewalks, a hiking trail, clubhouse, pool and walking paths. Amenities would have to be completed before the 60th certificate of occupancy is issued. Central sewer would be provided by Artesian Wastewater Company; the central water provider is yet to be determined.

Delaware Department of Transportation would require road improvements along the parcel’s frontage on Martins Farm Road to include 11-foot travel lanes and 5-foot shoulders. DelDOT would also require interconnection to a parcel along the southern border of the proposed subdivision.

A traffic-impact study was not required, but the developer would have to pay $12,660 to the DelDOT area-wide study fund.

A 20-foot perimeter buffer using existing trees or other vegetation is on the site plan.

Fuqua said it’s unclear at this point if the parcel is in the Cape Henlopen or Indian River school district, but that would be determined. “School district lines run through the property,” he said.

Commissioner Holly Wingate asked for more information on proposed road improvements. “This is a very narrow road,” she said.

Engineer Mark Davidson with Pennoni Associates said improvements would also include drainage upgrades. The road would be widened along the subdivision’s frontage.

He said the widening would likely be done within the existing right of way so other property owners’ land would not be used.

“We will work with DelDOT if we need design deviations so adjacent properties are not affected,” he said.

Davidson said there would not be a lot of dump truck traffic hauling soil on the road because most of the soil needed would already be on the property.

The commission deferred a vote to a future meeting.

Comments about road

Charles Williams, who lives along Martins Farm Road, said there is a dangerous S-turn near the property. “This would add more cars to a road that is not in the best of shape. Drivers don’t comply with the 45 mph speed limit,” he said. “This is over impact. It’s too much, with a lot of impact on Martins Farm Road.”

Resident Mary Devine agreed that the road can’t handle a development of this size. “Drainage is not good, and the roadside ditches are not cleaned out. This is a huge development on a tiny road,” she said.