The section below indicates the legal reasons why the proposed restaurant and marina at Osprey Point should not be approved. As residents of Old Landing Woods for the past 40 years, we add our concerns to all those living in the area. Arnell Creek is at high tide about 18 inches deep. At low tide, there is barely a trickle of water. It has gotten progressively more shallow over the years. Runoff from the new development goes into already-existing wetland ponds and from there goes into the creek. Even the mouth of the creek, where the marina is planned, is unnavigable except at the highest tides. The area for the proposed “beach” is currently marsh grass and marsh mud. Tons of sand would need to be brought in to make it a beach. Old Landing Road and the four-way stop at Warrington Road are already congested enough. Few drivers follow the posted speed limit. Do we really need more drivers who have been drinking at the proposed restaurant? And finally, allowing live music in a residential neighborhood would set a dangerous example. Would you want this in your neighborhood? If not, you should not allow it in ours. Section 115-119 (B) provides for Residential Planned Community, RPC, commercial activities that are convenient and a necessity to the community as a whole, constrained by the number of homes in the development. 1. The commercial bars, outdoor music and marina activities are not a necessity to the Osprey Point community, and in fact are targeted to outsiders. 2. Section 115-119, Permitted Uses, does not provide for RPC commercial activities based on the convenience and necessity for surrounding communities, as misrepresented by the developer. Nevertheless, it is important to point out that the Osprey Point developer solicited Old Landing Road neighbors, but no neighbors or neighboring community homeowner associations stood in support of the developer at the Sussex County Planning & Zoning hearing. On the other hand, more than half the hearing chamber was filled with residents in opposition. Nobody but the developer wants this. Why does a developer get to falsely tell long-standing residents and neighbors that party bars and outdoor music will promote the welfare, orderly growth and prosperity of, and are a necessity for, their neighborhoods? The Osprey Point rezoning must be denied. Please come to the Sussex Planning & Zoning hearing at 5 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 25. Lyle and Patrice Riggin Rehoboth Beach
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