Sussex P&Z seeks more info on Black Hog Village

A revised site plan for Black Hog Village along New Road near Lewes will have to wait for approval by the Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission.

At its June 24 meeting, the commission reviewed the amended plan and deferred a vote in order to obtain more information on a proposed stage included on the new site plan, which includes six retail buildings.

Commissioner Kim Hoey Stevenson said she's sure nearby residents did not purchase their homes thinking they would have to listen to someone else's music until 11 p.m. “What can we do to make sure these people are taken care of?” she asked. “I'd like to know what the plan is so as to not make life miserable for someone trying to get their baby asleep.”

“We don't have that technical detail, and if that's something the commission wishes to see, you can take no action and we can bring it back,” said Sussex County Planning and Zoning Director Jamie Whitehouse.

Hoey Stevenson also asked about interconnectivity with other commercial businesses in the area, including Old World Breads. “Right now there is a dirt road through the entire property,” she said.

County planner Lauren DeVore said Delaware Department of Transportation officials have requested that vehicular access be prohibited, and three barricades will be placed between the parcels.

The original preliminary site plan was approved by the commission on Oct. 11, 2018. Proposed changes to the plan include reducing the overall square footage of commercial space by 550 square feet to 21,818 square feet, a reduction of seven parking spaces, bicycle parking for the adjacent Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail, an outdoor stage, two raised decks and a porch. Five of the six proposed commercial buildings on the plan show either reduced or enlarged square footage.

The applicant has coordinated with state transportation officials for landscaping and a shared-use path along New Road, which is part of the Historic Lewes Byway. The applicant is requesting to defer landscaping along the byway frontage until the Nassau Road-New Road improvement project is completed.

The 5-acre parcel in a commercial zone just north of the Nassau Road intersection has two access points to the trail. During a hearing on the project, attorney Hal Dukes said the project will become a launch point for the trail, and the commercial center will capitalize on its proximity to the trail with parking and access.

His partners in the project are Sean and Darin McMahon, owners of Activ Pest Solutions. Under the plan, the existing Activ Pest Solutions building will be torn down, and operations will be relocated to another area on the parcel.

Dukes said it's too early in the process to name specific businesses, but they envision a bike shop, an ice cream shop and a food venue, among other businesses on the property. He said the design of the buildings will be unique, with one resembling an old railroad station and others resembling a grain elevator and barn. “We are planning for people to park there and to bike, and also to shop, eat and drink,” he said.

The project takes it names from Black Hog Gut, a nearby stream and wetlands area.