The Mayor and City Council of Lewes have approved a pilot plan to regulate traffic and parking on Sussex Drive.
The plan is intended to provide relief to Highland Acres residents who have been trying for years to get around vehicles parked on the street and in their neighborhood.
The council decided to design the plan as a pilot program that will run from now until the body’s public workshop in December, after which changes will be made as needed.
“Before the cement dries, we can go in there and make a few small changes to make sure everyone is happy and everything works,” said Councilman Joe Elder.
Lewes Police Chief Tom Spell has met with residents and the school district about the proposal. He said a pilot project makes sense.
“The elementary school is at its end – we’ve had that under control for years. (Fred) Thomas (middle school) brings a new dynamic for us, so I think it makes sense to re-evaluate,” Spell said.
The new plan includes:
• A center left-turn lane on Sussex Drive for cars heading to the new Frederick D. Thomas Middle School
• A bypass lane on the right to allow people heading to Highland Acres to pass during peak pick-up and drop-off times
• No parking signs on both sides of Sussex Drive
• An officer is stationed at the corner of Sussex Drive and Savannah Road during peak hours five days a week.
The Cape Henlopen School District has already placed “No Parking, Stopping, or Standing” signs on the street. They were part of the building permit for the school in 2021.
The plan calls for four or five parking spaces on the west side of Sussex Drive near the Beebe Medical Foundation office. The foundation has sent a letter to the City Council requesting these parking spaces for its employees and visitors. The City Council could make a decision at its workshop and special meeting on Thursday, August 22 at 10 a.m. at City Hall.
Norma Morrison, one of the Highland Acres residents who has pushed for a solution, said she was happy with the plan.
“This is a fair approach. It’s about the efficient movement of traffic and people,” Morrison said.
Morrison had presented photos to the council at a previous meeting showing the impact of parking on Sussex Drive during weekend sporting events and the Historic Lewes Farmers Market in the fall.
Spell said parking lots at Fred Thomas Middle School and Lewes Elementary School will be available during those times.
Mayor Andrew Williams expressed concern that parents might use Highland Acres as a waiting area. He suggested possibly placing temporary signs at the entrance to Highland Acres to remind people that it is a residential area and they should not wait there.
“We talked about how to establish habits in the first few days of school,” Williams said.
DelDOT plans to hold a public workshop in September to receive comments on a proposed streetscape project on Sussex Drive that could include trees and other traffic calming measures.
