Plans are progressing for a new convenience store with gas pumps at the intersection of Route 24 and Mulberry Knoll Road next to Beacon Middle School in Lewes.
However, the original plan by developer V&M LLC of Rehoboth Beach has been changed.
During its July 24 meeting, the Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission approved a new site plan that eliminates a proposed 12,000-square-foot office building and increases the size of the supermarket from 5,000 to 5,915 square feet.
The developer’s representative, Zach Crouch, an engineer with Davis, Bowen & Friedel, said the original conditional use application was approved last April and the site plan was approved on June 22, 2023.
Although the property is part of the Henlopen Transportation Improvement District, Crouch explained that Delaware Department of Transportation staff did not believe the commercial project qualified to participate in the district.
However, the developer must conduct a traffic impact study and provide funds for road improvements at the intersection, he said. A new traffic light was put into operation on July 7, 2023.
“Not many people come to us asking for less,” said Commission Chairman Bob Wheatley.
Roadworks are part of the plan
The plan calls for a direct-entry, direct-egress driveway along Route 24 and a full-access driveway along Mulberry Knoll Road. Attorney Jim Fuqua said the developer and DelDOT officials have reached an agreement to coordinate the road improvements.
Traffic counts from 2019 show an average daily traffic volume of 19,793 vehicles along Route 24 and 517 vehicles along Mulberry Knoll Road.
DelDOT will require the developer to improve the road frontage along Mulberry Knoll Road with a southbound through lane and a turn lane at the entrance to the site. The left-turn lane from Mulberry Knoll Road to Route 24 would need to be extended by 40 feet.
According to the site plan, the supermarket would be located at the front of the property, set back 200 feet from Route 24.
There will be a DART bus stop along Route 24.
Requirements include a fence and a path along the boundary with Beacon Middle School.
