DAGSBORO — A 1-acre property along Vines Creek Road that triggered a review of permitted uses in the town center district in 2020 has been cleared for commercial and residential development.
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By Glenn RolfeDAGSBORO — A 1-acre property along Vines Creek Road that triggered a review of permitted uses in the town center district in 2020 has been cleared for commercial and residential development.
And its retail establishments will be alcohol-free, to comply with town restrictions.
On Monday, the mayor and Town Council approved final plans requested by Snead Property Management for the Vines Creek Center. The proposal includes three commercial buildings, each with two retail spaces on the ground floors and apartments on the second floors.
“We are ready to roll,” said Clay Snead following the 3-0 approval. “We just notified our contractor that he is good to start pulling permits.”
Council members Will Labor and Theresa Ulrich, along with Mayor Brian Baull, supported the request. Councilmen Norwood Truitt and William Chandler III were absent.
Earlier, by a 4-0 vote, the town’s Planning Commission approved Vines Creek Center.
The plans meet all town codes and have received state agency approvals, according to Kyle Gulbronson, Dagsboro’s AECOM consultant.
At present, there are no commitments for the retail spaces, but “there has been quite a bit of interest so far,” Mr. Snead said.
Initially, the developer had proposed an upscale liquor store on the parcel, sandwiched between Heather’s Home Works and Rosana Holistic Hair Studio, near the Del. 20-Del. 26 split.
In September 2020, council approved the preliminary plans for that store, 3-1. However, that December, members — acting on legal advice from town solicitor Gregory Morris — voted 4-0 to rescind it.
Mr. Snead’s subsequent change to office and apartment use meant the town was able to cancel plans to canvass residents about uses in the area, possibly through a referendum.
“And honestly, this was probably a blessing in disguise because this actually works out better. We don’t have to maintain a full retail operation, whereas this is more investment,” said Mr. Snead. “We’re happy with the outcome.”
Tentative plans are for a groundbreaking near the end of summer, with construction expected to take about nine months, he added.
