Topics in this page:
1. C/U 2199 Ocean Atlantic (OA - Schell) apartments in Rehoboth Beach, south of Rt 24 between Walmart and Beebe Campus.
The following is a clipping from the P&Z agenda of 12/12/2019.
The online packet starts from page 231 of
https://sussexcountyde.gov/sites/default/files/packets/121219%20PZ%20Paperless%20Packet.pdf
The P&Z public hearing minute starts from page 7 of
The P&Z public hearing audio archive is at
https://sussexcountyde.gov/sites/default/files/audio/CU%202199.mp3
The Council hearing was on 1/28/2020.
This land is 18.8 acres of CR-1 (Commercial Residential). OA used the whole 18.8 acres to calculate the density of 12 units/acre to get to the 224 units (18.8 x 12 = 224).
However, from the P&Z minutes of 12/12/2019, that they set aside 4.7 acres for a non-residential use for later - probably for a commercial use. This means, OA was using only 14.1 acre for residential, which means their actual density for the 14.1 acres is about 15.9 units/acre.
This raised a question whether OA could use the acreage set aside for commercial use in the density calculation, but it was brushed aside. They approved it as 12 units/acre on a Conditional Use.
This is double-dipping of the commercial area.
In the case of OA, the commercial use parcel (4.7 acres) that is used in double-dipping is about 22% of the whole parcel (18.8 acres), and the whole parcel is CR-1.
In the case of Chappell, the commercial use parcel (8.53 acres) is about 57% of the whole parcel (14.93 acres). And, the parcel was 6.4 acres of MR-to-be and 8.53 acres of C3-to-be - totally different two land use zones.
So, for the Chappell Farm, the density of MR-to-be is 20 units/acre (128 in 6.4 acres) and the C3-to-be has 28 additional units over retail stores among other commercial uses.
-------------------
Sussex council approves apartment complex
Developer to construct 224 units of workforce housing off Route 24 near Rehoboth
https://www.capegazette.com/article/sussex-council-approves-apartment-complex/196878
Jan. 31, 2020
2. Dutchman's Harvest in the town limit of Lewes
City of Lewes Planning Website - Dutchman's Harvest
Proposed a 140-unit residential community in the City of Lewes. The proposed development will have 14 separate buildings with 10 units each placed across 8.58 acres of land or about 16.3 units per acre.
Located in Historic Lewes, Dutchman's Harvest is a for-sale residential development that includes the town's first affordable workforce housing project. Conveniently centered between Savannah Road and Kings Highway, Dutchman's Harvest will bring 140 multi-family units to the area. The units will be single-floor living within a two-story, Big House style building with a modern, coastal farmhouse architectural look. The units are restricted to those working full-time within Sussex County – at least one member of each purchasing household must work an average of 30 hours or more per week on an annual basis within Sussex County. Ninety eight of the units will be offered without income qualification and up to 42 of the units will be sold at a discount to the cost of construction by Diamond State Community Land Trust to income qualified households making 80% of area median income or less. Pricing of units is not finalized but it looks like the units will range from the mid-$100’s for the smallest income-qualified unit to the low $300’s for the largest, three bedroom unqualified unit.
3. Another one that is high density is Coastal Tide in Rehoboth, behind Home Depot.
It was approved long ago and I do not know the size of the parcel, but there are 168 units. They are supposed to reserve 26 units for the Sussex County Rental Program. The developer has to set those units for cheaper rental in perpetuity - at the developer's cost with no subsidy.