Sussex County Council wants clarification on height limitations near the county airport before it acts on a rezoning application at Sports at the Beach, east of Georgetown.

Softball World LLC is seeking to rezone an eight-acre parcel along Route 9 from AR-1, agricultural-residential, to CR-1, commercial-residential, to make way for a three-story hotel and restaurant. The 87-acre complex shares a border with Delaware Coastal Airport.

Councilman George Cole, R-Ocean View, said he wanted input from airport representatives about any possible limitations in the flight path. At its Jan. 23 meeting, council voted 5-0 to defer on a vote.

The county's planning and zoning commission recommended approval of the application.

During council's public hearing, Mark Davidson, land planner with Pennoni Associates in Milton, said the original 2002 site plan included dormitories for players and parents, but three proposed adult dormitories were never constructed.

The 8.5-acre parcel where the dormitories were planned was sold in 2013 to the county during its airport runway expansion project. Davidson said the hotel would take the place of the dormitories.

“We can keep people on site and reduce traffic on Route 9,” Davidson said.

Davidson said the parcel is in a county and state growth zone as outlined in the 2008 comprehensive plan. Central sewer and water would be provided by the Town of Georgetown.

D.J. Hughes, traffic engineer with Davis, Bowen and Friedel, said if the rezoning is approved and the project moves forward, a new entrance to Sports at the Beach would be required. Improvements could include a traffic signal to be determined by state transportation officials.

Speaking in favor of the application, Tommy Cooper of Lewes said tourism is the second leading industry in the county, and Sports at the Beach plays a major role. He read a letter from Scott Thomas, director of Southern Delaware Tourism, stating that with 30 to 35 baseball tournaments per year, Sports at the Beach generates 10,000 hotel stays and more than $300 million to the county's economy each year.

“If approved, it's my sincere opinion they will increase tournament play, which means more revenue for Sussex County,” Cooper said. “Proceeds from the sale of the land are earmarked for more programs on site.”

Three nearby residents spoke in opposition to the application citing increased traffic and the incompatibility of a commercial project in the area.