LEWES, Del. - Two proposed developments along Route 9 are up for review with the state planning department on Wednesday. Both properties are currently zoned as Agricultural Residential and would require rezoning.Â
The Northstar mixed-use development is proposed between Route 9 and Beaver Dam Road across from the Vineyards. Cool Spring Crossing is proposed about two and a half miles away along Log Cabin Hill Road, Hudson Road, Route 9 and Cool Spring Road.Â
Northstar Property, LLC is proposing 758 single-family lots, 94 multi-family apartments, and 96,000 square feet of commercial space. That would require rezoning different portions of these 433 acres to be heavy commercial and medium-density residential.
Cool Spring Crossing, which is a Carl M. Freeman Companies development, would bring 1,922 residential units to these 637 acres. The property would need to be rezoned to medium-density residential in order to bring single-family, multi-family, and townhomes, along with commercial and institutional buildings. This developer is proposing to incorporate the Sussex County Rental Program.
Matthew McKay lives nearby and welcomes new businesses to Route 9.
"I'm kind of looking forward to maybe some restaurants, maybe a diner, coffee shop, something like that," McKay tells CoastTV News. "That way we don't have to go all the way to Route 1. I think it will help traffic in the long run by people that live west of Route 1 don't have to get out on Route 1."
Dan Weirauch who works in the area says at some point enough is enough for development.
"Maybe the main drag should stay the populated area with the businesses and town houses," Weirauch says. "Some of the charm of lower Delaware is that you can get out into more rural areas with mom and pop shops and you're going to see that disappear."
A Preliminary Land Use Service meeting will take place starting Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. online and in person in the Haslet Armory building in Dover. To join virutally visit publicmeetings.delaware.gov.