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Backlash prompts parking change in Rehoboth

Businesses want more time for short-term meters; commissioners to discuss 2020 season Jan. 6
December 27, 2019

Story Location:
Rehoboth Beach City Hall
229 Rehoboth Avenue
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
United States

Following an angry backlash from downtown Rehoboth business owners, the city’s parking advisory committee has recommended to commissioners changing short-term meter parking from three hours to four for the 2020 season.

In early 2019, commissioners approved a number of changes to the city’s parking program for the upcoming summer season. Those changes included an increase in commercial district parking meters from $2 an hour to $3 an hour; enforcement of a 3-hour time limit in certain areas; an increase in season length for parking passes; and a reduction of parking spaces dedicated specifically for the post office.

In late September, a few days after the city’s meter season was over, a number of business owners voiced their displeasure with the three-hour limit, especially the inability to put more re-up time after the three hours. Their comments came during a Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce Downtown Advisory Task Force meeting.

At the meeting, Carol Everhart, chamber executive director, said the three-hour time limit was the biggest complaint they received all summer. Visitors are OK with the hourly rate, she said, but the chamber heard the most complaints about being required to move after three hours.

During a commissioner workshop Dec. 9, Linda Kauffman, parking committee chair, said compromise was the reason the committee was recommending a change from three hours to four. The main reason for the time limit is to create turnover, she said, because parking spots in the commercial district are not supposed to be all-day parking.

Kauffman said one of the biggest challenges the parking changes produced this past summer was that commissioners implemented some of the committee’s recommendations, but not all of them.

Piecemealing creates challenges, she said.

Kauffman said the challenge continues to be, how does the city create more parking without physically creating more parking.

In addition to the change in short-term parking, the committee is continuing to recommend limiting the number of permits issued per household to two permanent, two transferable and two scooter. Property owners could still buy as many permits as they want at full price after those permits were given out, but the goal is to reduce street parking, said Kauffman.

A recommendation made last year, but not being recommended this year, is an extension of time within the permit parking areas to 10 p.m., mirroring the metered parking areas. Kauffman said the recommendation was made last year to try and promote employee parking in other areas, but she said the committee has come to the conclusion that large houses, with half a dozen vehicles associated with them, are causing the issue of overcrowding on neighborhood streets.

Mayor Paul Kuhns said the implementation of parking changes is going to take time. It’s a five-year plan at best, especially in a place like Rehoboth, he said. 

Commissioners are expected to begin discussing parking changes for the 2020 season at their workshop Monday, Jan. 6.

Changes proposed for King Charles, Surf avenues

During the committee report portion of a commissioner meeting Dec. 20, Commissioner Susan Gay said the city’s streets and transportation committee was recommending a few changes for streets on opposite ends of town – King Charles and Surf avenues.

For King Charles Avenue, Gay said the committee would like to see crosswalks painted at New Castle, Stockley, Norfolk, Rodney and St. Lawrence streets.

“It’s a very wide street and in-season, it’s a constant pedestrian crossing area,” said Gay.

Mayor Paul Kuhns said the city is also exploring the possibility of have angle-in parking the entire length of King Charles. He said this would create more parking and act as a traffic-calming measure.

For Surf Avenue, Gay said the committee is recommending the city remove the permit parking on the east side of the road, in favor of a pedestrian and bike path. An advantage to this proposal, she said, is that it keeps bikes from crossing Surf Avenue.

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