Major plumbing wholesaler eyes Lewes location
The largest plumbing wholesaler in North America wants to open a facility near Lewes.
Ferguson Enterprises Inc. has filed an application to rezone a 5-acre parcel on Route 9 near Five Points from AR-1, agricultural-residential, to a C-5, service and limited manufacturing.
The new commercial district is for small-scale light industrial, wholesale and personal service uses with a retail component. Minimum floor space is 15,000 square feet.
Jim Fuqua, the applicant's attorney, said the site is the only parcel along that stretch of road that is not zoned commercial. He said in 1988 the owner had the farmland rezoned from commercial to AR-1 to reduce taxes.
During the commission’s Aug. 9 meeting, he said the company would have a 26,000-square-foot warehouse with a distribution center and retail sales center open to the public. Ferguson specializes in sales to contractors and deliveries to building sites.
Fuqua said the proposed rezoning fits the definition of the new C-5 district by providing wholesale and retail components. He said the parcel is a growth area under the county's comprehensive land use plan.
Headquartered in Newport News, Va., Ferguson has more than 1,400 centers in all 50 states including locations in Millsboro, Dagsboro and Dover. The company wants to relocate from its Dagsboro operation.
Some Lewes Crossing residents, who live across the road from the parcel, said they were concerned about lighting for the proposed building. They had previously complained to county officials about lighting at nearby Shell We Bounce trampoline park.
“Shell We Bounce was in compliance the last time we inspected,” said Planning and Zoning Director Janelle Cornwell.
Assistant county attorney Vince Robertson said lighting – reviewed during the site-plan process – has surfaced as an issue.
“I'm concerned about lighting. It may require an ordinance change,” said Commission Chairman Bob Wheatley.
The commission deferred a vote to a future meeting. County council has scheduled a public hearing on the rezoning at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 11, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.
