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Council tables preliminary approval for 214‑home White Farm subdivision after questions on buffers, roads and historic site
Summary
White Farm LLC presented plans for 214 single‑family homes on about 81 acres. Council members raised concerns about preserving mature tree buffers, whether roads would be publicly maintained or HOA responsibility, and the future of the nearby historic Godwin School; council voted to table preliminary subdivision approval until a public hearing is posted.
White Farm LLC presented preliminary site plans on Feb. 2 for an 81.6‑acre subdivision that would include 214 single‑family homes and about 23% active open space, the developer told the Millsboro Town Council.
Jamie Sley of Davis Bonnerell, representing White Farm LLC, said the project met parking and setback standards and that the plan includes walking trails, a clubhouse and other amenities. He noted the developer will bring intersection improvements recommended in a traffic impact study, including a roundabout at Lake View Road and Cross Keys.
Council members pressed the developer about several issues. They sought assurances that existing mature tree buffers would be preserved rather than removed and replaced with younger plantings; Sley said the plan is to retain old growth where feasible and add supplemental plantings, not clear all trees. Members also asked whether the new subdivision roads would be dedicated to the town but privately maintained by an HOA; staff said the roads could be publicly dedicated but not town‑maintained in many Sussex County arrangements and that the subdivision approval and any dedications would be clarified at subsequent steps.
Several councilmembers raised the status of the nearby Godwin School, a historically listed structure, and questioned whether the town should accept any donated parcel tied to development because of maintenance and liability costs. Sley and staff said previous plan notes suggesting a dedication were likely inaccurate and could be removed; the town signaled reluctance to take on maintenance for historic structures without a clear funding mechanism.
After extended discussion the council voted to table preliminary approval and directed staff to post the required public hearing notices and return with the subdivision for formal consideration. A council member moved to table preliminary approval; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
The next procedural step is a publicly noticed hearing on the subdivision application; council members asked staff and the developer to clarify preservation commitments, open‑space locations and whether roads will be dedicated to the town or remain HOA responsibility prior to final action.
