Lewes businessman Rick Quill has approached city officials about changing city code to allow for a restaurant above street level in the flood zone.
Quill is planning to build a new restaurant at the corner of Savannah Road and Cape Henlopen Drive, across from the Dairy Queen. Ideally, he said, the restaurant would sit on the second floor of a commercial building with views of the bay.
The code change request will go before the Lewes Planning Commission at its Wednesday, Sept. 21 meeting. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Quill, who is planning the restaurant with established Lewes restaurateurs, said there is a good opportunity to bring life to the Lewes Beach side of town. With a new restaurant on the way from the owners of Pig + Fish and Pickled Pig Pub at the Beacon Motel and continued interest in promoting commercial and retail on the beach side of town, Quill said, his request is in the spirit of economic development.
“[Lewes Beach] could really use a shot in the arm,” said Quill, who owns Blue Water House, a bed and breakfast behind the Beacon Motel. “Most retail is in town, and things that have started to pick up speed [on Lewes Beach] have faltered.”
Restaurants above street level are permitted in the marine-commercial zone, but not in the general commercial zone. Irish Eyes and the Wharf are each permitted to serve upstairs because they are in the marine-commercial zone.
What Quill's lot would look like when complete is not yet known. He said the city's parking requirements will significantly dictate the final design. He said he's working with Element Design to develop a plan for the 26,000-square-foot parcel.
“We feel this piece of property is the crown jewel of Lewes Beach,” he said. “It's a phenomenal corner.”
As with most projects, Quill said, he expects there to be some opposition. Quill and business partner Joe Johnson recently ran into opposition when they sought a zoning change for a proposed residential development at the industrially zoned Lewes Ice Plant. Despite unforeseen hiccups, Quill said, that project is still alive.