Citing traffic and environmental concerns, six Newark-area legislators sent a letter Wednesday to New Castle County Council urging council members to vote against a rezoning request that would allow developers to build a 345,000-square-foot shopping center on a tract of farmland along Kirkwood Highway.

The letter states that the rezoning request for the Stopyra property is “inappropriate for that area.” The Representatives claim that building a shopping center on the site is not viable and would have negative implications on the surrounding areas.

The Delaware Department of Transportation’s traffic impact study predicts a near 50-percent increase in traffic on Capitol Trail/Kirkwood Highway. Additionally, leveling the property’s hillside terrain could lead to dangerous run-off problems and flooding.

New Castle County Council is scheduled to vote on the rezoning request at its February 12 meeting.