CU 2360 - Letters/Comments

Opposing a proposed Royal Farms at Angola Road - 7/7/2023

It’s back. The possibility for a convenience store on the corner of Angola Road and Route 24 – this time a Royal Farms. In 2020, county council denied a conditional use for a 7-11. This time, the conditional-use permit number is 2360. Get used to seeing that number, as we in the Angola Neck area will once again resist this type of development on our corner.  

So, what has changed in this short time? We have more homes, more people, more cars and more traffic. The proposed lot size is bigger, there are fewer pumps, and a car wash has been added. I can only assume the developer has scrutinized why the first proposal was denied and is prepared to address those issues. The issues all remain the same, perhaps intensified by more cars moving along two-lane roads. And Angola Road is still two lanes, still dips down, curves and floods from time to time. I wouldn’t want to have a medical issue in the height of tourist season and expect first responders to get to me quickly. 

The entrances and exits are poorly placed; there is only a right in and right out on Route 24 heading toward Rehoboth. If going west toward Millsboro, you have a problem. You must turn left onto Angola Road. When exiting, if you want to continue west, you have to venture out onto Angola Road, across oncoming traffic to get to the light. I’ve often been in a line of 20 cars heading to the light. Some will let cars in, others will not. 

If you are coming from Robinsonville Road, you must cross Route 24 and turn right into the station from Angola Road. Not too bad, but if returning to Robinsonville Road, you have the same problem as those who want to continue heading to west.

The real fun starts for those heading west who have no idea they have to enter via Angola Road. When they see the station, there is no way for them to enter via Route 24. Some will try to enter using the right turn in, or try to make a U-turn. I see accidents coming for sure. If this all sounds confusing, well, it is. Does this sound like safety was a key component of planning? I think not. 

The station will have fewer pumps, but the station still sits on Sarah Run, our aquifer. The possibility for groundwater contamination still exists. While we will have a new intersection, all the roads will remain two lanes! I could not help but note the work done at Burton’s Pond did not include widening Route 24.  

In the coming days, DelDOT will conduct a traffic-impact study. I can’t wait to hear the results. And isn’t there a new fueling station going in at Mulberry Knoll Road? Do we really need this one?  

If you want to be part of a grassroots group, Sussex 2030, fighting this, come to the clubhouse at Angola by the Bay, 33457 Woodland Circle, Lewes, at 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 3. We’ll keep the gates open for you!

Judy Kane 

Royal Farms request contrary to public health, interest - 7/14/2023

The Public Trust Doctrine is a common-law doctrine requiring states to keep navigable and tidal water and their underlying land in trust for the common use of the public. The doctrine has been expanded to protect the public’s interest in all of a state’s natural resources, to include air, nonnavigable bodies of water and groundwater. Expansion of the doctrine has been accomplished by both legislation and constitutional amendment.  

Delaware will hopefully soon join other states in recognizing the importance of protecting its environment. The Legislature is currently in the process of seeking to amend our constitution to protect Delaware’s natural resources. House Bill 220, which was voted out of committee June 14, provides in pertinent part:

The people of Delaware have an inherent and inalienable right to a clean and healthy environment ... and to the preservation of the natural, cultural, scenic and healthful qualities of the environment. The state’s natural resources are the common property of all the people, including present and future generations. The state, including all branches, agencies and political subdivisions, shall serve as trustees of the state’s natural resources and shall conserve, protect and maintain these resources for the benefit of all its people ...

This amendment is a critically needed first step to protect Delaware’s natural resources, especially in Sussex County’s Coastal Area. 

A recent land-use proposal in Sussex County demonstrates why this is sorely needed. In May, Royal Farms submitted an application seeking a conditional use to build a gas station, convenience store and car wash on the corner of Angola Road and Route 24. The parcels involved are all located in an AR-1 zoning district within the Coastal Area overlay in addition to being in the Coastal Zone area. The county’s comprehensive plan recognizes the Coastal Area as extremely important to the environment and economy, as it helps to absorb floodwaters, and provide extensive habitat for native flora and fauna. Perhaps most important, the plan notes that this area has significant impact upon water quality within the adjacent bays and inlets. Located on these parcels are the area’s wellhead protection area, Sarah Run, which ultimately empties into streams that empty into Rehoboth Bay, and other groundwater sources for the area’s drinking water.

This proposed project is in close proximity to land recently purchased by Sussex County for preservation purposes. Indeed, this purchase was touted by the government as a step to protect the area’s drinking water and its sources. Notwithstanding that the proposed constitutional amendment is not yet in effect, Sussex County and the Sussex County Land Trust arguably have a fiduciary duty to protect this significant investment from the adverse environmental impact presented by this conditional-use application.

I suspect it will be obvious to most that approving a conditional-use permit to build a gas station, convenience store and car wash in a residential district in the Coastal Area and Coastal Zone is inappropriate, and contrary to the public health and interest.

Rosalind Mailander 

Angola Neck residents building opposition to Royal Farms - 8/11/2023

https://www.capegazette.com/article/angola-neck-residents-building-opposition-royal-farms/262697 

Royal Farms proposal does not meet county code - 8/11/2023

https://www.capegazette.com/article/royal-farms-proposal-does-not-meet-county-code/262703 

State should exercise power on land use - 1/9/2024

https://www.capegazette.com/article/state-should-exercise-power-land-use/269471

Angola Road Royal Farms should be denied - 2/2/2024

https://www.capegazette.com/article/angola-road-royal-farms-should-be-denied/270406

DelDOT must quash Route 24 application - 2/2/2024

https://www.capegazette.com/article/deldot-must-quash-route-24-application/270453