Small Town News

Lewes planners hear Lewis property details

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Public hearing focuses on wetlands

Throughout a period of more than three decades, proposed plans for a parcel in Lewes known as the Lewis family property have morphed numerous times.

The Lewes Planning Commission, at a Nov. 4 public hearing, listened to details of a proposal that might become reality - Anglers Nest, a 17-home subdivision planned for the 5.1-acre parcel that runs adjacent to Anglers Road and Market Street.

The hearing at the Lewes Public Library drew only a handful of residents.

The planning panel did not vote on the subdivision request and has up to 90 days to make its recommendation to Lewes Mayor and Council.

"We've come a long way through a number of different workshops," said David Hurt, an attorney representing RJL Family Enterprises LLC, property owners and project developers.

Hurt gave planners a synopsis of the property's history, from plans that were approved in 1973 for a 97-unit town home complex, eight commercial units and parking for more than 200 cars, through a 2005 rerezoning correction of the property from open space back to its previous Lewes Beach residential zoning.

The number of homes proposed for the parcel in plans submitted a couple of years ago, 27, was reduced to 17.

The developer purchased a home and shed-like structure, which had been on the corner of Market Street and Anglers Road on what is known as the Claire property.

The buildings were moved onto the adjacent Lewis parcel and the old structures are to be renovated, becoming part of the Anglers Nest community.

Hurt said a traffic impact study for the proposed subdivision wasn't required.

Plan developer Jeffrey Clark of LandTech LLC said the revised subdivision plans addressed all of the concerns previously voiced by the planning commission.

He said pie-shaped lots have been eliminated; a sidewalk has been added along Anglers Road; and sidewalks have also been added to both sides of the development's main street.

Clark said commission-recommended grass buffer strips have been added between sidewalks and curbing; all lots meet the city's 5,000-square-foot minimum; and no lot contains wetlands.

He said up to 3 feet of fill material would be added to the site, which would elevate homes to be built there above the floodplain.

Hutt called on local Realtor Lee Ann Wilkinson to testify about how homes in the proposed development might affect property values.

"I definitely think it would be a positive thing; they would upgrade the neighborhood," Wilkinson said. Responding to Hutt's question of who would buy homes in the new community, Wilkinson said most buyers would be second home purchasers and are likely to be retired or nearing retirement.

She said because of the small lot sizes - and what are likely to be higher prices because of location - families with school-age children are unlikely buyers.

Clark said the subdivision would be similar in character to the old Lewes Beach area.

Jim McCulley, president of Newark-based JCM Environmental Consultants Inc., provided detailed information on the property's wetlands, which border the northern edge.

McCulley said the wetlands fall under federal jurisdiction and represent about 35 percent of the site, approximately 1.55 acres.

He said about 18 percent of the sife is uplands, which is development's open space.

McCulley said a statewide wetlands mapping project has determined that the site is not a tidal saltwater wetland.

He said vegetation on the site is primarily phragmites and a variety of other invasive and undesirable plant species.

McCulley said soils on the site are primarily a grey-black muck, and the area's hydrology, which is measured by days during the growing season when standing water is present, numbers about 12.

He said the site lacks many required characteristics in each of three areas that are used to define a tidal saltwater wetland-vegetation, soil and hydrology.

"It's a disturbed area surrounded by development," he said.

McCulley said before construction adjacent to the wetland would begin, the developer must install silt fence and take measures to control soil erosion. He said the developer must also educate contractors about staying out of the wetlands; post signs to that effect and impose stiff fines for violations.

He said the developer would replant the area with a variety of indigenous shrubs and trees including beach plum, prickly pear, inkberry, wax myrtle, red maple, American holly and several species of oak.

"Development of the property provides an opportunity to preserve and protect the environment," McCulley said.

Lewes Beach-side resident Preston Lee said he's concerned about the subdivision's accessibility to firefighting equipment and about whether a lawn chemical management program that would monitor homeowners' use would have long-term endurance.

Tracy Mulvany, also a Lewes Beach-side homeowner, said she's concerned about the area's ability to handle stormwater and surge.

"I've been flooded many, many times and it's getting worse instead of better. There's nowhere for the water to go," she said.

Mulvany said she was skeptical about some of the plant varieties recommended by McCulley. She said many of the plants are very showy but might not tolerate the wetlands' briny water.

John Mateyko, a Pilottown Road homeowner, questioned whether development in a low-lying area is wise in light of scientific evidence of rising global sea levels.

"Lewes is vulnerable. Should we be accepting more properties that face abandonment as a result of sea level rise?" Mateyko asked. He said Delaware is ranked first in the nation - the most vulnerable to sea level rise.

"The people who would be buying theses houses aren't in this audience," he said.





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