GEORGETOWN, DE -- A public hearing for the proposed 'James Place' development was held on Monday night. The site plan for the mixed-use neighborhood lists it as bringing roughly 100 homes at a plot off of North Bedford Street.
The proposed site is listed as 644 North Bedford Street. A presentation by the developers, which was presented at the public hearing, says a mixture of housing options at the plot could be developed as follows:
- 60 single-family, detached homes
- 28 duplex homes
- 20 townhomes.
Georgetown's town manager, Gene Dvornick, told WBOC the plot would need to be rezoned to accommodate the potential mixed-use residential community.
"From the town's standpoint, we get an increase in property tax revenue and an increase in utility consumption, which always helps," Dvornick said. "Also, the more rooftops we have, the more people we have, the more demand we have for services, which ultimately leads to more economic development."
Some neighbors are concerned the town's infrastructure wouldn't be able to handle the influx of people. WBOC spoke with two neighbors Monday who sent letters to the town council, expressing some concern over the development.
Those neighbors told WBOC some of their concerns included aging infrastructure, increased demands on local fire and health services, and increased traffic along North Bedford Street.
Debbie Johnson, who lives near the development site, said traffic is an issue in the area.
"We do have problems with traffic out there on Bedford Street," Johnson said.
However, Johnson said she's optimistic that the development won't affect that.
"I don't think it'll hurt traffic at all because, with the new bypass coming in out on the highway, that will eliminate some of the traffic coming in," Johnson said.
Georgetown's town manager said, if the development comes to fruition, the town is equipped to handle the new neighbors.
"Through the use of American Rescue Act Funds we've been able to completely rebuild most of our water infrastructure, and we're in the process of doing that with sewer infrastructure as well," Dvornick said.
Dvornick said residents will have the next few weeks to submit public comments on the proposed development. A first reading of a draft ordinance rezoning the parcel will be read at the May 12th town council meeting, according to Dvornick.