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Dewey Beach officials have approved the two Hawaiian restaurants that are earmarked for town. With the approval, the new side-by-side eateries should be open for business by next summer, said owner Regan Derrickson. He hopes to begin construction after this summer season.
He requested conditional uses to build the two structures several months ago at a town meeting and also received approval from the Dewey Planning Commission contingent upon a few changes to his plan. The restaurants will follow all current zoning requirements, including height and setback requirements. Planners required Derrickson to build permeable driveways made from stone or shells to promote drainage. The committee also asked Derrickson to turn outdoor speakers toward the restaurants at 11 p.m., to comply with late-night noise ordinances.
Derrickson said at public hearings he grew up near Dewey and loves the town. He said he wants to add to the diversity of cuisine in town, not create a nuisance or a loud bar. He was required to apply for a conditional use because he is constructing new structures.
Mayor Dell Tush called a special meeting Friday, June 29, to make the plans official.
She said the application for the conditional uses would expire before the next town meeting Friday, July 13, so the special meeting was necessary. “It was merely a formality, and I told Regan that, but he said he needed the approval official before the application expired for banking purposes,” she said.
In a unanimous vote, town council approved the planning and zoning recommendation to allow Derrickson to build the restaurants on the corner of Dickinson Street and Route 1. Nalu and Pono’s will both be Hawaiian themed, although Nalu will be a causal surf bar and grill and Pono’s will be a fine dining dinner restaurant complete with running waterfalls.
Nalu is planned to host luaus and have live entertainment, although town officials and Derrickson agreed there would not be loud live music. Dewey officials were clear in saying the town does not want more bars, but it wants more nice restaurants.
Commissioner Claire Walsh said, “We went on the recommendation of the planning and zoning commission, and it was a done deal.”
Tush has publicly welcomed the new restaurants as an influx of family-friendly entertainment and dining options in town.
Dewey approves comprehensive plan
At the special meeting, commissioners also approved the town’s comprehensive plan and added suggestions from the state to look for affordable housing. Town council originally approved it before sending it to the state for revision. The state requested Dewey include affordable housing into the plan.
“We approved their recommendations, although it doesn’t apply to Dewey because we’re a town smaller than 2,000 people, and affordable housing is hard to come by in town,” Walsh said.
Tush said she supported adding a clause in the plan that said town officials would look for opportunities for affordable housing for people who work in the town’s restaurants and hotels, but it is not likely to happen soon. She said high property values in Dewey prevent homes being sold at low rates.
After approval by the town, the comprehensive plan will go before the state for final approval. Officials say it should be law within one or two months. Once final, Dewey Beach has 18 months to conform town zoning codes with the plan. The plan calls for new business districts and residential districts that are consistent with current zoning.
Contact Molly Albertson at mollyalbertson@gmail.com
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