To: Mr. Lawrence Lank, Director, Sussex County Planning and Zoning and Mr. George Cole, Sussex County Councilman
Reject or Amend the OSPREY D LLC Rezoning Request CZ# 1759 (Sussex County Delaware)
The Old Landing Golf Course is being considered for a zoning change from AR-1, Agricultural Residential District to MR-RPC, Medium Density Residential District-Residential Planned Community (Osprey Point D, LLC), which will add 350 housing units in this environmentally sensitive area containing wetlands, burial grounds, and flood prone areas.
Key concerns include:
1) The proposed Osprey Point D, LLC Site Plan is not aligned with existing nearby communities along Old Landing Road.
a. The Osprey Point D, LLC Plan places townhouses along Old Landing Rd which is incongruous with the character of existing communities near the Old Landing Golf Course (OLGC),
b. Housing density in Sawgrass is 2.0 units/acre and the Osprey Point D, LLC Site Plan is approximately 2.77 units/acre (as calculated by Old Landing Woods HOA)
c. This plan significantly alters and disrupts the scenic views along Old Landing Road
2) The site is in the flood plain and is currently prone to flooding during storms and moderate rain.
a. Adding a large amount of impervious surfaces risks flooding adjacent areas and impacts the ability of the wetlands to filter and recharge the water supply. The wetlands protect nearby residents from storm damage.
b. Given this is a State Level 3 Investment area, there are very limited state funds to address roads, sewer, water and other public facilities, which raises concerns regarding how storm water management and road improvements will be addressed.
c. DNREC has very limited resources to monitor and adequately inspect construction to ensure features are implemented to protect the wetlands, manage storm water, and address flooding.
3) The proposed plan and response from Sussex County and State agencies does not adequately address Life/Safety concerns.
a. The proposed plan will proceed without the benefit of a Traffic Impact Study (TIS) and analysis of life/safety issues due to single lane in/out of the area during mandatory evacuations during storm events.
b. Multiple accidents have occurred along this site, where vehicles have left the roadway and crashed. This poses concerns about traffic safety, property damage, pedestrian and bicyclist safety.
c. Increased traffic on this winding, two-lane road likely will increase the number of accidents and hence life/safety concerns.
Key concerns include:
1) The proposed Osprey Point D, LLC Site Plan is not aligned with existing nearby communities along Old Landing Road.
a. The Osprey Point D, LLC Plan places townhouses along Old Landing Rd which is incongruous with the character of existing communities near the Old Landing Golf Course (OLGC),
b. Housing density in Sawgrass is 2.0 units/acre and the Osprey Point D, LLC Site Plan is approximately 2.77 units/acre (as calculated by Old Landing Woods HOA)
c. This plan significantly alters and disrupts the scenic views along Old Landing Road
2) The site is in the flood plain and is currently prone to flooding during storms and moderate rain.
a. Adding a large amount of impervious surfaces risks flooding adjacent areas and impacts the ability of the wetlands to filter and recharge the water supply. The wetlands protect nearby residents from storm damage.
b. Given this is a State Level 3 Investment area, there are very limited state funds to address roads, sewer, water and other public facilities, which raises concerns regarding how storm water management and road improvements will be addressed.
c. DNREC has very limited resources to monitor and adequately inspect construction to ensure features are implemented to protect the wetlands, manage storm water, and address flooding.
3) The proposed plan and response from Sussex County and State agencies does not adequately address Life/Safety concerns.
a. The proposed plan will proceed without the benefit of a Traffic Impact Study (TIS) and analysis of life/safety issues due to single lane in/out of the area during mandatory evacuations during storm events.
b. Multiple accidents have occurred along this site, where vehicles have left the roadway and crashed. This poses concerns about traffic safety, property damage, pedestrian and bicyclist safety.
c. Increased traffic on this winding, two-lane road likely will increase the number of accidents and hence life/safety concerns.
Why is this important?
The public Hearing on this matter has been delayed due to some of the concerns raised in this petition. This provides a little extra time to work with experts to prepare testimony for the hearing. Please make your voice heard - show up to the re-scheduled hearing dates or sign this petition or both.