LEWES, Del. – The Overfall Preserve proposed townhouse development in Lewes is drawing mixed reactions from locals and officials, as concerns over traffic and infrastructure take center stage.
The site plan for Overfall Preserve includes the construction of 90 townhouses along with associated amenities and site improvements. The properties are located at 1147 Savannah Road on 12.67 acres of land.
The Lewes Planning Commission has recommended 25 conditions for the Overfall Preserve development, including maintaining the city’s historic feel and conducting a traffic study. The city will review those recommendations further during a public hearing on March 31 at 5:30 p.m.
Longtime Lewes resident, Judy Eger, worries about the rapid pace of development and its impact on local services.
“Everything that hasn't got something built on it now is having something built on it,” said Eger. “The lack of services that we have now – the medical, the dental – we've just been overrun by people.”
Traffic congestion is another major concern, as the Overfall Preserve development would share a single entrance and exit with the Dutchmans Harvest workforce housing community.
Carol Garner, who owns the Overfall Preserve property that the developer is planning to purchase, is ready to move on from the debate.
“I think it’s an overkill,” said Garner. “I think we’ve been through this so many times now, and another public hearing—I don’t think it’s going to bring much to the table.”