Council grants conditional use for private garage on 0.46-acre parcel in Baltimore Hundred

Sussex County Council approved a conditional use allowing a private garage on a 0.46-acre parcel in Baltimore Hundred after a public hearing in which the applicant described the structure as personal storage and limited maintenance for vehicles.

The applicant, John Elsassance, said he purchased the parcel and plans to build a pole-barn style building to store boats and hot rods in advance of retiring to the area. "I bought this piece of property," Elsassance told the council, adding the building is "right behind the produce stand." He said access will be via an existing driveway and that he does not plan to store hazardous materials or large fuel tanks on-site.

Director Whitehouse read into the record that the planning and zoning commission recommended approval subject to conditions; staff submitted the applicant's conceptual site plan, DelDOT service level evaluation, staff analysis, and an engineering comment letter. Council members questioned the applicant about the nature of the building and whether mechanical work or hazardous materials would be stored; the applicant said maintenance would be limited to minor tasks and that no hazardous materials would be stored.

After council discussion and a motion to adopt the conditional use as recommended by planning and zoning, the council voted in favor. Several council members explicitly based their votes on the planning and zoning recommendation and the testimony given at the hearing. The public record was closed and the conditional use was adopted with the conditions recommended by planning and zoning.