Milton medical office complex proposed for Route 16
After pulling out of an attempt to build a medical office complex on Mulberry Street in downtown Milton, that project’s developers have proposed a new facility at the intersection of Route 16 and Route 30.
Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved the preliminary site plan for the project Dec. 10, allowing for further development of the plans.
Developer Phoenix Holdings has proposed a single, 40,000-square-foot building on a 142-acre parcel across from Kemp’s Liquors near the traffic signal at Route 16 and Route 30.
The Jerry Ann McLamb Medical Pavilion would have 209 parking spaces, a stormwater management basin and other site improvements. Phoenix Holdings is also pursuing a minor subdivision application at the site.
Beebe Healthcare spokesman Ryan Marshall said Beebe would have offices at the new facility. John Paradee, who represented Phoenix Holdings when it was attempting to build the facility in downtown Milton, declined to comment on the proceedings. The original plans downtown called for two 40,000-square-foot buildings, with one occupied by Beebe Healthcare for outpatient services such as primary and walk-in care, specialists, lab and rehabilitation services, and diagnostic imaging. The facility would be named for Jerry Ann McLamb, a longtime Beebe nurse who passed away in 2018.
Phoenix Holdings originally wanted to build a medical office complex on an 8-acre parcel across from H.O. Brittingham Elementary School. Under those plans, the parcel would have been rezoned from R-1 residential to C-1 commercial.
The project immediately came under fire from residents around Mulberry Street due to concerns about traffic, safety and the effect of a commercial entity in a residential neighborhood. Those opposed said they liked the idea of a medical facility in Milton, but preferred it go on Route 16, which they said would better be able to handle the traffic.
The Milton Planning and Zoning Commission agreed with residents and recommended not rezoning the parcel. The matter was due to come before town council in August before Phoenix Holdings withdrew its application.
