Sussex County denies Overbrook rezoning again

Over one hundred acres of farmland will remain farmland for now after the Sussex County Council again denied a request for commercial rezoning.

Residents along Cave Neck Road and Route One at the edge of their seats. One by one, Sussex County councilmembers casting their vote for or against changing the land from an agricultural zone to a commercial zone.

The president finally breaking the tie, denying the motion with a three to two vote. Nearby residents calling it a big sigh of relief.

But this wasn't the first time a motion has been denied to change the land to a commercial zone. Developers from TD Rehoboth LLC have made several attempts over the last two years to turn the parcel of land into the Overbrook town center.

"It got to the point where I would drive home and look at the parcel of land and it's just farmland, it's beautiful and I would think I really hope it stays like that and I wasn't sure it was going to," says Cindy Kruglak, a resident across the street from the proposed land.

It's a big win for nearby residents who have been trying to shut down this project since it began

Kenny Hopkins, a farmer who lives behind the land in question, says, "I have nearly a mile driveway from Route One to the front of my house and it was going to have to go right through the center of it."

"Traffic is awful once this time of year hits like on a Saturday we rarely get out," explains Kruglak.

But Councilman Rob Arlett, who voted for the zoning change, says traffic is a DelDot issue and they already have plans to address it.

For him, this is a missed opportunity to accommodate Sussex County's growing population.

"When are we going to approve and say yes to the commercial development to support those that are coming here. And ultimately this is not an appropriate location, or proposal I should say, in all areas of our county, but it is an appropriate location along a national highway," explains Arlett.

But according to the local residents this development would ruin the very reason for moving here.

"People are moving here for the reasons that the area is so beautiful, that nature is still there. They don't want it all built up, that's what we all left," explains Kruglak.

Both Arlett and the nearby residents believe this isn't the end and say there will likely be revised proposals in the future.

Arlett tells 47 ABC that Rehoboth LLC has already presented a new proposal that would use only about 50 acres of the 114 for commercial use.