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Commission recommends preliminary approval for Great Oak Manor accessory building; finalities tied to stormwater, septic, landscaping and recordation
Summary
Commissioners recommended preliminary approval for a proposed demonstration kitchen and yoga studio at Great Oak Manor, with final approval contingent on stormwater, septic, landscaping and lot‑line recordation actions.
The Planning Commission recommended granting preliminary site plan approval for an accessory structure at Great Oak Manor (submitted by Freedom Properties / Great Oak Manor, also referred to as GOM) to be used as a demonstration kitchen and yoga studio. The recommendation was forwarded to the county with standard conditions to be completed before final approval.
Staff noted the property has operated as an inn/retreat since 1984 and that the accessory building will not increase the number of guest rooms. The Board of Appeals previously approved the property’s conversion to a retreat with conditions; staff asked the applicant to submit an updated narrative explaining how the Board of Appeals conditions have been addressed. The preliminary plan also requires final approvals for erosion and sediment control and stormwater, submission of any required sureties, approval from the Kent County Health Department for the proposed wastewater flow (applicant’s consultant submitted a projected average flow of 541 gallons per day and the health department has reviewed that number), final landscaping and buffer enhancement plans (including mitigation for 4,855 square feet of increased lot coverage), and the recordation of a lot line adjustment.
Applicant representative Wharton Bellamy said the project team has modified the tree mitigation plan to reduce tree removals and that the final submittal will reduce the number of trees moved or removed by relocating a bioretention area. Commissioners asked about overflow parking and protection of septic reserve areas; the applicant said overflow parking would be grassed and subject to screening and that they would consider fencing or landscape to prevent compaction over septic reserves. The commission voted in favor of the staff recommendation to grant preliminary approval and forwarded the item to the county commissioners with the listed outstanding items to be completed before final approval.
No public correspondence on the item was reported.
