LEWES, Del. The Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval of Sandie LLC’s change-of-zone application for a 4.29-acre property on Plantations Boulevard.
The proposed land is currently empty after a fire claimed the old clubhouse in 2024. Sandie LLC's proposal included a swimming pool, new indoor racquet sport courts, and over 50 new parking spaces.
Conditions approved with the recommendation require all pickleball courts, play and events to be indoors. Beyond this, pickleball tournaments are limited to 15 per year, and one per month during June, July and August. No tournament is permitted to last longer than three days.Â
The conditions come after opponents raised concerns about increased traffic, parking and noise within the Plantation community. Several residents questioned whether the neighborhood's roads could handle additional visitors and tournaments.
Under the approved conditions, tennis, pickleball and swimming activities would be allowed from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The conditions also include requirements for parking, one-way traffic flow, landscaping, lighting and signage. After construction of the new facilities and parking areas, the applicant would be required to mill and overlay part of Plantations Boulevard with new asphalt.
Currently, an indoor pickleball facility and outdoor tennis courts surround the site and will remain.Â
