Lewes parks, planning panels discuss townhomes

A proposed 90-unit townhome community on Savannah Road in Lewes has received its first scrutiny from two city commissions.

The as-yet unnamed development is located at 1147 Savannah Road. It would be located on a 13-acre parcel known as the Warrington property, zoned R-5 mixed residential.

The city annexed that parcel, and two neighboring properties, in April.

The parks and recreation commission reviewed the preliminary site plan at its Aug. 19 meeting. The panel’s role was to look at the proposed street trees, open space and bike connectivity.

The panel amended the list of street trees to remove serviceberry, sassafras and basswood, and add more traditional street trees like elm, oak and honey locust.

The developer is proposing to plant 435 trees, almost double what would be required.

The plan also proposes 36% of the development be open space, exceeding the requirement of 20%.

A bike path is proposed to connect to the Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail at Savannah Road, wind its way through the development and end at an adjacent property in Sussex County jurisdiction on Kings Highway.

The preliminary site plan shows a proposed future vehicular connection to the property to the north, which is zoned agricultural and currently undeveloped.

“This property is nearly landlocked,” said city planner Janelle Cornwell. “They will be sharing a city road to enter Dutchman’s Harvest. The road is actually Dutchman’s Avenue.”

Julie Bercaw, who lives on DeVries Circle near the proposed development, told the commissioners that there is already a lot of traffic cutting through their street to get between Savannah Road and Kings Highway.

“We have people speed. We have trucks and construction vehicles. You’re talking about adding 230 homes between Dutchman’s Harvest and this new property. What’s the plan to control traffic?” Bercaw said.

Cornwell said there will be interconnectivity between Dutchman’s Harvest and the Lodge at Historic Lewes, so people will be able to drive between Savannah Road and Kings Highway through those developments.

The commission unanimously voted to recommend that mayor and city council approve the proposed street trees with its suggestions, and open space and bike connectivity as proposed.

The Lewes Planning Commission also took up the preliminary site plan at its Aug. 21 meeting.

Commissioners set a public hearing for 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the Rollins Center.

Cornwell said she will provide a detailed report on the project at that hearing.