Council approves zone change to B-2 for site near Route 13 to allow Dutch Country Market expansion

Sussex County Council voted Jan. 7 to amend the county zoning map for a 4.86-acre parcel on the west side of Route 13 near Gordie Road, changing the zoning from AR-1 (agricultural residential) to B-2 (business community) to allow expansion of an existing retail operation.

Applicant Samuel (Sam) Petershawn, owner of Dutch Country Market, told council he seeks space to display and sell sheds, pergolas, gazebos and backyard furniture and to eventually relocate an existing furniture store to the site. The planning and zoning commission held a public hearing on Nov. 13 and recommended approval; council staff entered the commission’s minutes and exhibits into the record and noted no public comments were received before the council hearing.

During the council hearing, Petershawn described existing drainage improvements and said he does not plan an entrance off Route 13; site access would be at the internal road shown on the conceptual plan. After hearing the applicant and no speakers in favor or opposition, the council closed the public record. Council members said they would adopt the reasons stated by the planning and zoning commission and made roll-call votes in favor of the ordinance. The motion to amend the comprehensive zoning map passed; the council chair announced the motion carried.

The ordinance will amend the county zoning map for the parcel identified in the planning record (tax parcel noted in the packet) and proceed as the next step in the zoning process. No conditions were read into the record at the time of the vote. Planning staff materials, the applicant’s conceptual plan, a survey and agency comments (including a DelDOT service-level evaluation response and Sussex County Engineering utility-planning comments) were included in the county packet and made part of the record for the council’s decision.