Sussex County · Unincorporated Sussex County · #2024-01-07
LIC Housing independent living facility
West side of Kings Highway, 900' South of Clay Road., Unincorporated Sussex County, DE · 95 homes, 6,165 sq ft non-residential, senior living
About this project
A three-story independent living facility of about 125,000 sq ft with 95 units, plus an attached 4,000 sq ft restaurant and 2,165 sq ft fitness center, on the west side of Kings Highway south of Clay Road in unincorporated Sussex County.
Official description: Independent Living Facility (3 Stories, 125,000 Sqft.) with Attached Restaurant (4,000 Sqft) & Fitness Center (2,165 Sqft.)
- Engineer / designer
- W. Zachary Crouch, PE., Principal
- Plan type
- Site Plan Review
- Land use
- Residental/Restaurant
- Zoning
- AR-1 → AR-1 Conditional Use
- Water
- Tidewater Utilities, Inc.
- Sewer
- Other
- Status
- Complete
Filing history
- 2024-01-01 · #2024-01-07 · Site Plan Review · 95 lots/units
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
LIC Housing proposes a three-story independent living building for adults 55 and older on about 5 acres on the west side of Kings Highway, south of Clay Road, near Lewes. County records describe about 125,000 square feet with 95 apartments. An attached 4,000 sq ft restaurant and a 2,165 sq ft fitness center are also planned. Press coverage says these amenities will be open to the public.
The site is zoned AR-1 (agricultural-residential). The developer needed a conditional use, which is special permission for a use that zoning allows only after review. A news post from October 2025 reports that Sussex County Council approved the project unanimously. It describes the project as a middle option between luxury apartments and assisted living. No organized opposition turned up in the sources found. Coverage of an early state review gave 94 units instead of 95.
What it could mean nearby
- A state review estimated about 772 vehicle trips on an average weekday once the project is fully built.
- The entrance must be coordinated with DelDOT's planned widening of Kings Highway. Internal sidewalks would connect to a DelDOT multi-use path.
- Wetlands on the western edge are to be left undisturbed. The site is in a wellhead protection area, which limits paved and roofed surfaces to protect drinking water.
- Artesian Water Co. would supply water and Sussex County would provide sewer. The restaurant and fitness center would add public-facing amenities.
Where it stands
The county council reportedly gave final conditional-use approval in autumn 2025. Next steps usually include a site plan review, state and DelDOT entrance approvals, building permits and then construction. Whether construction has started was not found.
- Oct 2025 Sussex County Council reportedly approved the conditional use unanimously for 95 units
- Sep 23, 2025 Scheduled county hearing date, per a county document
- Aug 20, 2025 Scheduled county hearing date, per a county document
- Jan 24, 2024 Project reviewed at the state's PLUS meeting, a technical advisory review
Want to weigh in? The Sussex County Council decided the conditional use, so remaining comment opportunities are mostly limited to later permit and site plan steps. Residents can contact the Sussex County Planning & Zoning office for current details.
Who's behind it
LIC Housing, LLC · LIC Housing, LLC is the owner and applicant listed in county documents for the project. No official company website or other projects were found.
Around the web
- New senior living community approved for Lewes on Kings HighwayThe Tide Report · Oct 17, 2025Reports unanimous county council approval of a 95-unit 55+ community with a public restaurant and fitness center.
- Proposed Lewes-area projects in same vicinityCape Gazette · Jan 26, 2024Describes the state PLUS review, site details, traffic estimate, utilities and approvals needed.
- Sussex County conditional use documentSussex County government · Jul 2025Lists LIC Housing, LLC as owner and developer, AR-1 zoning, and the August and September 2025 hearing dates.
Planning terms explained
- Conditional use
- A use that zoning allows only after a public hearing and approval, usually with conditions.
- AR-1
- Sussex County's agricultural-residential zoning district.
- PLUS
- Preliminary Land Use Service, a state review where agencies give advice on a project but take no action.
- Wellhead protection area
- An area around public drinking water wells where development is limited to protect the groundwater.
- DelDOT
- The Delaware Department of Transportation, which controls state roads such as Kings Highway and their entrances.
Researched by AI from public sources on Nov 1, 2026. It can make mistakes, so check the linked sources and the municipality before relying on it.
Scope estimate for contractors
Estimated construction value: $22.6M
- ~475 roofing squares
- ~95 HVAC systems
- ~95 kitchens / 190+ bathrooms
- ~85,500 sq ft of finished living space
- ~61 roofing squares (assumes 1 story)
- ~15 tons of cooling (rule of thumb 400 sq ft/ton)
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