Just as the new Bayhealth Sussex Campus near Milford prepares to open in February, Bayhealth officials have announced plans for a 57,000-square-foot medical facility along Route 9 near Harbeson.

Triple B Farms LLC has filed an application to rezone an 18-acre parcel at the intersection of Route 9 and Hudson Road from AR-1, agricultural-residential, to the new I-1 institutional zoning district.

At a Jan. 10 Sussex County Planning and Zoning public hearing, Gene Bayard, the developer's attorney, said Route 9 is a growing business corridor with two commercial projects near the proposed medical office site – a newly opened Dollar General store and a mini storage complex, which is under construction. He said county officials have approved more than a dozen rezonings along the road from Harbeson to Coolspring.

In addition, he said, there are more than 600 homes in the area. The attorney said the medical facility would serve local residents who would not have to travel to the Route 1 area.

Jerry Peters, Bayhealth campus project director, said details are not finalized for the project pending the outcome of the application request. However, he said, the facility would likely be designed to meet the demand for outpatient services. Peters said the facility could employ as many as 45 people and provide access to primary care doctors and imaging with a walk-in clinic.

“We want to see how we can best serve the northern Sussex County population,” Peters said.

State transportation officials have recommended the rezoning application be considered without a traffic impact study, but noted the need for a study should be evaluated when the development plan is approved.

At the end of the meeting, commissioners deferred a vote to a future meeting. County council's public hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 5, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.