Ed’s Chicken land use decision tabled in Dewey

It’s been 18 months, what’s another couple of weeks?

After nearly three hours of testimony, Feb. 26, the Dewey Beach Board of Adjustment voted unanimously to table a discussion on the future land use of the former Ed’s Chicken and Crabs site.

The 38-year-old restaurant was destroyed in August 2016, when a southbound car on Route 1 skipped the median and plowed into the small cedar-shingled building that served as the kitchen and indoor dining area. The crash severed a propane line setting off a fire that turned the famous shack into nothing but a pile of charred wood and kitchen equipment.

Rusty Catts, property owner, is questioning town Building Official Bill Mears’ denial of a request to maintain a legal nonconforming status as a food service enterprise that is operated partly or entirely outdoors. The appellant is also questioning Mears’ decision that any new structure must comply with elevation requirements for structures in flood-prone areas.

The restaurant was granted legal, nonconforming status as a food service enterprise providing carry-out and eat-in food and beverage service that is operated partly or entirely outdoors when Dewey incorporated as a town in June 1981.

The board tentatively scheduled a meeting to resume the discussion for 6 p.m., Monday, March 12, in the Dewey Beach Life Saving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave.