The Town of Millville is entering a new phase of expansion with two significant development conversations held at the November 18th meeting. 

The first is the confirmed approval of 139 new homes planned for Route 17. The second is a new request from a developer asking the Town to consider annexing nearly 95 acres on Millville’s west side. 

Both matters signal the increasing attention Millville receives as demand grows in the coastal Delaware region.

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Approval of 139 Residential Units on Route 17

The Millville Town Council unanimously approved the final site plan for a 139 unit community planned for Route 17. 

The project covers 24.5 acres owned by MA Housing LLC and Gerald Hocker Jr. and sits a short distance south of Route 26. 

The development mix includes single family homes, duplexes and townhomes designed to offer varied housing options.

The community will include:

• 73 single family homes
• 34 duplex units
• 32 townhomes

Developers have not yet determined whether the units will be sold or offered as rentals. 

Representatives explained that the original intent was to create affordable housing, which would suggest rental availability, but the decision will depend on construction costs and financing rates. 

To reduce long term costs for residents, the townhomes will not include garages. As a result, the 32 townhome units will share a community dumpster. 

The remaining 107 homes will use traditional curbside trash collection. 

Council members also confirmed that the community will avoid planting trees near curbs or stop signs due to future maintenance burdens that often increase homeowner expenses.

The development team completed the legal process of removing a tax ditch on the property and designing new stormwater management features. 

Several nearby residents from Bishop’s Landing publicly commended the transparency of the developer team and the consistent outreach during planning. 

One resident highlighted that the communication was clear and proactive, which stood out from their experience with other builders in the area.

A property owner located outside town limits raised concerns about potential increases in water runoff and staying updated about the project’s progress. 

Developers noted that they intend to continue engaging with neighbors as plans advance.

Construction could begin as early as spring 2026, although no final start date has been confirmed.

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Annexation Discussion Begins for a 95 Acre Property

Millville Town Council also held an initial conversation about a possible annexation request involving 94.5 acres west of town. 

The land connects to Route 17 through Horse Play Way and sits near Burton Farm Road. 

The Christopher Companies presented the inquiry after Sussex County rejected their earlier proposal to rezone the same land for a 320 unit community known as Flyaway Farms.

The parcels belong to the Huggins and Cooper families. Since they are currently outside town limits, an official annexation request would be required to begin formal review. 

In addition, because the Town’s Comprehensive Plan did not anticipate the annexation of these specific parcels, the Town Council would first need to formally amend the currently used Future Land Use Map. This process, like the subsequent step, would require public meetings and hearings.

The development team initially sought Sussex County approval to build within unincorporated county jurisdiction to avoid the lengthy municipal annexation process. 

However, county officials rejected the rezoning request due to the potential for increased traffic on the narrow Burton Farm Road and concerns about whether the proposal matched the character of surrounding agricultural land.

If annexed into Millville, the property could qualify for a denser residential project than the county’s current agricultural and residential zoning allows. 

No development plans were presented during the meeting, and the developers will need to revise any future proposal to meet the chosen jurisdiction’s standards.

What Comes Next for Both Projects

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Millville is now balancing one confirmed community and one potential annexation that could shape future growth. 

The approved 139 unit project signals an immediate step forward for new housing inventory, while the annexation discussion shows that developers continue to view Millville as a desirable location for future projects.

Both matters will continue through public processes, including hearings, updated plans and council review. 

Residents can expect more information as developers finalize decisions and determine next steps for each property.

If you want to stay updated on Millville’s growth and coastal Delaware development news, follow the blog and explore more of our local coverage!

Source: Coastal Point, November 18th meeting