As residents of Sussex County and Delaware, I oppose ‘Scenic Manor’ subdivision, formerly known as ‘Estates of Mulberry Knoll’ for the following reasons:

5,700 homes have already been approved on the Rt. 24 corridor. Approval for this subdivision should not be given until there is a safe public evacuation plan for Rt. 24 with all the currently approved housing units. EMS response times need evaluation. These are matters of public safety.

The amount of land within the floodplain will require substantial fill to build homes, roads, and a clubhouse. Filling in the floodplain causes an increased risk of flooding to current Sussex residents, resulting in greater storm damage and costly remediation. Another public safety matter.

Stormwater will be directly released into Arnell Creek causing decreased water quality in Love Creek and Rehoboth Bay.

This land supports an endangered species, American Kestrel, and several birds on Delaware’s list of species most in need of conservation.