By Brian Gilliland

GEORGETOWN — Residents and neighbors along Old Landing Road in Rehoboth Beach have split over whether to allow a retail business, in this case a hair salon, west of the four-way stop with Warrington Road, arguing traffic, parking and a primarily residential location.

Zoned AR-1 Agricultural/Residential, the proposal by Simon Fares and Lorne Crawford would install a salon into an existing building including chairs, a hair-washing station, reception and waiting, and up to five employees, including Mr. Fares himself.

Mr. Crawford noted the salon would serve about 20 clients per day at most.

The proposal brought more than 35 comments in advance and a few during the public hearing, much more than the recent average. The comments were split about 75 percent in favor and about 25 percent against.

As parking along this corridor is a major concern, the applicant noted two paved areas on the property to accommodate both employee and client vehicles.

More than one critic noted the lots may be able to hold the vehicles of employees and clients, but were concerned about the safe ingress and egress of vehicles and the potential danger to pedestrians and residents.

Jamie Whitehouse, planning and zoning director for Sussex County, noted the Delaware Department of Transportation would likely have input into traffic flow into and out of the lot as the process continues.

Via their lawyer, Blake Carey, Mr. Fares and Mr. Crawford noted several other businesses within a one-mile radius of the proposal including several medical offices, another salon, real estate offices and others.

These other businesses have also been allowed via the same sort of conditional use Mr. Carey argues his clients are now seeking.

According to the zoning map of Sussex County, the vast majority of those variances are closer to Coastal Highway, or are along the Airport Road corridor slightly to the east.

In addition, there were concerns about the kind of precedent this would set for retail businesses creeping into residential areas.

When asked if this might encourage people to buy property along Old Landing Road just to open businesses there, commissioner chair Robert Wheatley explained.

“Anyone can apply for that, but it’s not by right,” meaning there are approvals involved, he said. Further, the county may approve a conditional use that is never implemented because somewhere in the process, a roadblock emerges that makes the entire proposal untenable, he said.

Even if the land use is eventually granted by planning and zoning, the application must move through the county council and various state approvals before it could open.

Comments speaking in favor of the project noted any increase in traffic would pale in comparison to the volume of residences now proposed, planned or thought about in the same area, the need for more small business and a support for home-based businesses in general.

Neighbors concerned about exterior changes to the property also had reassurances from Mr. Crawford, who stated he intends no changes in the exterior except for parking lot markings and an unlighted sign to mark the business.

The planning and zoning commission voted to defer action on this item until a future meeting, to allow more time for the commissioners to consider the testimony received.