New Office And Shopping Center Closer To Reality In Kent County

John Stoltzfus received a favorable recommendation for growth allocation on his 7-acre property at routes 301 and 291 at the November 5 planning commission meeting. Stoltzfus plans to build 48,000 square feet of office and retail space on the long-vacant lot, the former Dutch Deli. Zoning is Commercial Critical Area, and if growth allocation is ultimately approved the critical area classification will change from Limited Development Area to Intense Development Area. The final decision rests with the county commissioners, who will hold a future public hearing and vote. The county commissioners can turn down growth allocation; approve it; or, approve it with various conditions and changes. Their vote is subject to state Critical Areas Commission approval.