Lewes residents discuss parking permit system
Lewes residents were given a chance to offer opinions regarding a proposed parking permit system on Lewes Beach during a Jan. 30 mayor and city council workshop.
Most people are against the idea, while others believe there is more work to be done.
The center of focus is a review conducted in response to workshops and complaints about parking on Lewes Beach. Officials discussed the document Jan. 9, piquing the interest of the public, leading Mayor Andrew Williams to schedule the first of potentially several public meetings on the issue of parking.
Hang tags
Henlopen Landing resident Rosemarie Veneziano noted the convenience of a hanging tag system as opposed to the proposed license plate reader. She said when her family visits Rehoboth Beach, they can transfer the tag they paid for to whichever car is making the commute.
Lewes Parking Enforcement Supervisor Dennis Crawford said the license plate reader allows for up to eight cars on one permit, but only one car can be parked in the enforcement area at a time.
Stephanie Tsantes joined Marie in wondering about the cost of implementing a license plate reader system. Tsantes wondered why the city would spend so much money on 300 or so parking spaces. Tsantes warned of families choosing the largest vehicle for the permit, convoluting the situation. She said she would be offended if she was charged to go to a beach she has had free access to for nearly 30 years. She also opposed charging for parking at Roosevelt Inlet, noting it is a special place for some just wanting to be near the water.
Equality
Lewes Beach resident Dennis Reardon said that there are about 600 homes at the beach and about 3,000 homes within city limits.
“There’s the numbers, it’s around 20%,” Reardon said. “As presented, I am opposed to a permit parking system since there hasn’t been a clear explanation of the purpose or benefit.”
Reardon, a former councilman who sat on both parking committees, believes the recommendations are yet to be implemented.
Lewes Beach resident Joe Smith joined him in thinking a permit system would be punishment.
“It's unfair to expect the people who pay taxes on the beach to pay for parking right in front of their house and not do it to other people,” Smith said.
Smith argued that Lewes Beach is public commons and has been since 1682 under the Warner Grant.
Right-of-way obstructions
Nearly a third of parking spaces in the right of way on Lewes Beach are obstructed from access. A 2022 parking study conducted by George, Miles and Buhr on Lewes Beach concluded that there were 573 possible parking spaces – 397 were accessible, while 176 (31%) were unavailable due to impediments.
“If you're gonna start delineating, then that may be the catalyst for enforcing encroachment prohibitions,” said Councilwoman Candace Vessella the day after the workshop.
There may have been some who opposed delineation in 2022, but avoiding the practice was not a mandate and could be an option officials explore.
Lewes Beach resident Kevin McGuiness said he thinks it's an interesting concept to impose monetary fines on people without telling them where they can legally park. He also said that there is still confusion over which parking regulations will be enforced.
If the city delineates spots, the permitted parking areas would be clearly defined. Vessella said there are restrictions on how close one can park to a fire hydrant or stop sign. She also explained that, according to the U.S. Postal Service, mail carriers are not obligated to deliver mail if there is an obstruction on the path to the mailbox.
The calls to clear encroachments from the right of way were numerous in the January 2022 study and still continue. Stakes established the city’s right of way, but city officials said several residents blatantly disregard and build out beyond them. Some stakes have been removed.
Etiquette
A car taking up more spaces than needed is an example of improper parking etiquette, but the unique layout of Lewes Beach has the potential to interfere with human etiquette.
“I think that most people that have property on Lewes Beach have experienced people coming up onto their property and using it as a bathroom, whether it's urination, defecation or both.” said resident Nick Carter.
Carter views the issue as a health concern and thinks there's a lot of human waste being distributed on the beach and on private property. Roosevelt Inlet provides a bathroom area. There are public restrooms at Savannah Beach and Johnnie Walker Beach. Along Cedar Street and Bay Avenue, the only restrooms in the area are port-a-potties on construction sites.
Residents complained during the short-term rental meetings about picking up dirty diapers and Carter mentioned it again, along with needles he has had to pick up.
Witnesses have attested that parking on Lewes Beach feels like the wild west, noting inconsistencies in enforcement and disregard for established rules. They say some blocks don’t have legal street parking, yet people still grab spots.
Mayor and city council is slated to continue discussions during the Monday, Feb. 13 regular meeting. Williams has encouraged those wanting to comment to email mayorcouncil@ci.lewes.de.us.
