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Dewey Beach is considering restricting the use of parking-lot tents by businesses to accommodate large crowds during popular resort events.
The planning and zoning commission, at its Saturday, Oct. 4 meeting, unanimously recommended an ordinance to restrict the size of such tents to no more than 2,000 square feet, restrict their use to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May 15 to Sept. 15, and restrict each business or property owner to using them no more than two times a year.
Chairman Harry Wilson and member Gary Mauler were absent.
Highway One, which owns the Bottle and Cork, Venus on the Half Shell, North Beach and Rusty Rudder, supported enhanced regulations during the commission’s Aug. 27 meeting. Highway One attorney Steve Spence said allowing businesses to expand into parking lots is bad business for the town.
Without restrictions, Spence said, a large parking lot could be covered for a New Year’s party that could accommodate five bands and 3,000 people.
Town Manager Gordon Elliott said only four parking lots in Dewey would be large enough for that: lots for Venus on the Half Shell, northbeach, Rusty Rudder and Ruddertowne. Owned by Dewey Beach Enterprises, Ruddertowne is on Dickinson Avenue directly across the street from the Rusty Rudder.
Under existing ordinances, property owners who want to expand into their parking lot for an event must write a letter to the town manager for consideration by town commissioners.
The commissioners can approve parking-lot use for up to three days, but longer events require board of adjustment approval.
The planners recommended an ordinance that retains the basic process with additional restrictions.
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