During a recent public hearing held by the Kent County Board of Appeals, community concerns regarding a proposed luxury boutique hotel and its potential impact on local traffic and procedural irregularities were at the forefront of discussions. The meeting, attended by several residents, highlighted the apprehensions of neighbors living on Cliff Road and Great Oak Landing Road, who fear that the hotel will significantly increase traffic in their area.

Steve Newburger, a property owner on Cliff Road, raised critical points about the application process, asserting that the applicant's claim of no homeowners association (HOA) was misleading. Newburger emphasized that residents pay dues to an HOA and argued that the lack of notification to all affected neighbors, particularly those on Great Oak Landing Road, rendered the application procedurally improper. He noted that while the required notifications were sent, many residents who would be impacted by the increased traffic had not been informed.

The Board of Appeals also addressed procedural aspects, including the posting of public notices and the requirement for notifying adjacent property owners. The clerk confirmed that notices were published in the Kent County News and that the property was posted, although the exact posting date was not immediately available.

Residents expressed their concerns about safety, particularly regarding a narrow dip in the road that poses risks for drivers, especially with the anticipated increase in visitors to the proposed hotel. Bronwyn Fry, another resident, echoed these sentiments, highlighting fears about potential accidents involving unfamiliar drivers leaving the hotel after consuming alcohol.

While some residents indicated support for specific aspects of the proposal, such as a yoga studio and kitchen center, they remained cautious about the broader implications of redesignating the property as a retreat. The meeting underscored the community's desire for transparency and thorough consideration of the potential impacts on their neighborhood as the Board of Appeals deliberates on the application.