LEWES, Del. - A proposed zoning change that could bring apartments and commercial businesses to a rural stretch of Route 24 is drawing concern from some Lewes-area residents who say the development could strain infrastructure, threaten the environment, and impact public safety.
JudyRose Seibert, spokesperson for the Route 24 Alliance, hosted a meeting this week to raise awareness about the proposed change by Belle Mead Farm, LLC, which would rezone a portion of land from agricultural to commercial use. “It will add an additional 6,800 vehicle trips per day to Route 24, which will be a 37% increase in traffic,” Seibert said.
A proposed zoning change that could bring apartments and commercial businesses to a rural stretch of Route 24.
If approved, the development would include both residential apartments and commercial space. Seibert and other residents worry that the added traffic could pose serious safety risks, particularly for homeowners and small business operators along the corridor.
“People turning in and out of their homes that are on 24, or some of the very small businesses that are on 24 — it’s really a safety hazard,” Seibert added.
A proposed zoning change that could bring apartments and commercial businesses to a rural stretch of Route 24.
But not everyone opposes the proposal.
Dr. David Tam, CEO of Beebe Healthcare, views the project as an opportunity to address critical workforce housing needs. According to Tam, Sussex County currently has the worst doctor-to-patient ratio in the state, and the lack of affordable housing has made it difficult to attract and retain healthcare staff.
Still, Seibert argues that the proposed apartments may not be priced low enough to truly help working-class residents.
The Sussex County Council is scheduled to discuss the proposed zoning change at its meeting on July 22.