Sussex council approves Route 9 rezoning

At its Jan. 5 meeting, Sussex County Council approved the rezoning of a 2.5-acre parcel along Route 9 west of Josephs Road near Lewes.

Preston and Mason Dyer of Millsboro Towne Center III LLC filed the application to change the property zoning from AR-1, agricultural-residential, to C-2, medium commercial, for professional and medical office space.

Future development of the property will require a site plan to be reviewed by Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission and Delaware Department of Transportation to determine any needed road improvements.

Speaking on behalf of the developers, Mark Davidson, principal land planner with Pennoni Associates, said the proposed commercial use is compatible with other commercial uses in the area served by Route 9, which is considered a principal arterial road. He said retail and office uses in low-density areas should provide convenience goods and services to nearby residents, which is proposed for this property.

Davidson said it's expected any use of the property will generate less than 500 vehicles trips per day.

He said the Route 9 corridor is considered a business corridor with a mixture of commercial and residential.

Since 2011, council has approved four additional rezoning applications within a one-mile radius of the property.

Access to the Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail bordering the rear of the property will be provided.

The parcel will have central water and sewer service provided by Artesian Water Company.