It’s back. The possibility for a convenience store on the corner of Angola Road and Del. 24, this time a Royal Farms. In January 2020, County Council denied conditional use application No. 2176 for a 7-Eleven. This time, the conditional use permit number is 2360. Get used to seeing that number, as we, in the Angola Neck area, will once again resist this type of development on our corner.
So what has changed in this short time? We have more homes, more people, more cars and more traffic. The proposed lot size is bigger. There are fewer pumps, but a carwash has been added to the mix. I can only assume the developer has scrutinized why 2176 was denied and is prepared to address those issues. The fact is the issues all remain the same, perhaps intensified by so many more cars moving along two-lane roads. And Angola Road is still two lanes, still dips down, curves and, yes, floods from time to time. I would not want to be having a medical issue in the height of the tourist season and expect first responders to get to me quickly.
The entrances and exits are once again poorly placed. There is only a right in and right out on Del. 24 going west to east, heading to Rehoboth Beach or Lewes; if you’re going in that direction, you’re in luck. If going east to west, toward Millsboro, you have a problem. You would turn left onto Angola Road and enter from the Angola entrance. When exiting, if you want to continue west, you would have to venture out onto Angola Road, cross oncoming traffic to get to the light to make a left. I’ve often been in a line of 20 cars heading to the light at Angola Road and Del. 24. Some will let cars in; others will not.
Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?
If you are coming from Robinsonville Road, you must come across Del. 24 and turn right into the station from Angola Road. Not too bad, but if returning to Robinsonville Road, you have to cross oncoming traffic on Angola Road and continue north to Robinsonville. Same problem as those who want to continue heading west.
The real fun starts for those heading east to west who have no idea they have to enter via Angola Road. When they see the station, there is no way for them to enter via Del. 24. Some will try to enter using the right turn in or try to make a U-turn wherever they think they can get away with it. I see accidents coming for sure.
If this all sounds confusing, well, it is. Does this sound like safety was a key component of planning? I think not. Accidents will surely happen.
The station will have fewer pumps, but the station still sits on our aquifer, Sarah’s Run. The possibility for groundwater contamination still exists. While we will have a new intersection, all the roads will remain two lanes! I could not help but note that the work done at Burton Pond did not include widening Del. 24.
In the coming days, the Department of Transportation will conduct a traffic impact study. I can’t wait to hear the results of that. And isn’t there a new fueling station going in at Mulberry? Do we really need this one and does it have to be located on a corner poorly suited for a fueling station?
If you want to be part of a grassroots group, Sussex2030, fighting this, come to the Clubhouse at Angola by the Bay, 33457 Woodland Circle, Lewes, on Aug. 3 at 7 p.m. We’ll keep the gates open for you!
Judy Kane
Lewes
