By Glenn Rolfe

MILLSBORO — Mayor and Town Council have approved a rezoning request from Plantation Lakes’ developer that will allow a mix of homebuying options in the community’s final residential phase.

The Sept. 7 vote was 6-1 in support of the change from medium-density residential to high-density residential for the “Q” section in Plantation Lakes’ South Shore, also known as the Dukes’ parcel.

Rezoning will allow a mix of town homes, attached villa lots and single-family homes in that section, the third in the neighborhood.

The developer, Lennar, already had an approved plan, but it allowed just single-family units and 18-foot-wide town homes.

This new project is “more blended,” said Millsboro Mayor Michelle Truitt. “It is not as clustered as it was originally proposed. There are more options for homeowners.”

Under Millsboro code, medium-density uses are allowed in the high-density district but not vice versa.

Councilman John Thoroughgood opposed the rezoning.

“I’d like to see homes put there. No town houses, since there is already homes there, neighbors. Town house doesn’t fit in that area,” he said.

Vice Mayor Tim Hodges disagreed.

“The currently approved plan is a much worse plan, shall I say, than what they have proposed. Therefore, we’re seeing a lot of improvements,” he said. “I think it’s also important that everybody understand that the reason why the zoning change was necessary for them to request is not to increase the density, but it’s because the western-half portion of the property was not zoned to high density; therefore, they could not put town houses on any of it.”

Plantation Lakes has a total maximum buildout of 2,494 homes — the highest amount allowed in the current residential planned community layout and the requested modification. That number did not change with the rezoning.

“They are not increasing density,” Vice Mayor Hodges said.

South Shore, opposite Plantation Lakes’ main entrance on Del. 24, can have a maximum of 753 units.

Broken down, the RPC plan for South Shores includes:

• 252 town homes (18 feet wide).
• 140 town homes (22 feet wide).
• 164 villa-type homes, with shared walls.
• 197 single-family homes on 52-foot lots.

Town Council, following recommendations from Millsboro staff, did put off action on other pieces of the South Shore puzzle, specifically concerning amenities, like a pool. The developer and a committee are ironing out answers, hopefully to be presented at mayor/council’s October meeting.

“There are still shortcomings with recreational area,” Councilman Gum said.

Vice Mayor Hodges added, “I would like to see their answer to what was requested. As I recall at last month’s council meeting, … they were requested to look at making some changes to the amenities on that side to make them a little more equal or more equal to the other sections. I think we’re better off waiting (to vote.)”

The existing community includes an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, walking trails and The Landing Bar & Grille.