The Sussex County Council has approved the workforce housing portion of the massive Northstar development along Route 9.
The vote, held on May 20th, followed discussions about the project's broader impact on the community and infrastructure.
The overall Northstar development includes:
- 758 single-family homes on 420 acres (previously approved)
- 94-unit workforce housing on 7.9 acres (just approved)
- A 12.7-acre commercial development (still awaiting council approval)
Focus on Workforce Housing
The council unanimously voted to rezone the 7.9-acre workforce housing site from AR-1 (agricultural-residential) to MR (medium-density residential) and granted conditional use approval, aiming to provide more affordable housing options closer to work centers.
Key conditions for the workforce housing approval:
- Compliance with federal, state, or county affordable housing programs with annual reporting
- Completion of required offsite road improvements before or at the same time as project completion
- Addition of community amenities like a clubhouse, fitness center, bike storage, playground, and play area
- Enhanced street design with sidewalks connected to DelDOT’s multimodal path
- Workforce housing units must be completed before starting Phase 2 of single-family home construction
Addressing Broader Concerns
Councilwoman Jane Gruenebaum raised concerns about the current zoning laws, which date back to the 1970s and allow up to two homes per acre in AR-1 zones.
She highlighted how these rules limit the council's ability to control large developments, potentially encouraging sprawl.
She also emphasized the need for better alignment between housing growth and road infrastructure improvements.
The newly approved conditions aim to ensure that the community’s needs are met through thoughtful planning and development.
What Comes Next
A decision on the proposed commercial portion of Northstar, which includes 96,118 square feet of buildings, will be made at a future meeting.
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Source: Cape Gazette