Dewey council should take its own advice

Dewey Beach Town Council might want to take its own advice and turn down the volume.

The council last week passed a revised noise ordinance and discussed one that would allow bars to expand their premises for certain events.

The noise ordinance passed 3-0, with two council members, including Anna Legates, abstaining and calling for more research. Anyone who knows Dewey knows that if Anna doesn’t have the answers, no one does.

The ordinance restricts noise permitted overnight to the level of an indoor conversation, clearly a problem for popular establishments that for decades have attracted visitors to Dewey Beach.

People who purchase property have a right to expect a reasonable amount of peace and quiet. At the same time, anyone who purchases property in Dewey Beach should certainly be aware the town is famous for attracting great bands – sometimes dozens of bands and performers during a single weekend.

Town council represents the voters of Dewey Beach, but it must also recognize the town’s most famous establishments have been part of the Dewey Beach way of life since before the town was incorporated.

Besides limiting noise, the town is also considering a proposal to regulate the number of times a business could expand for charitable events. Opponents say the proposed measure could result in scores of expansions that would ruin the off-season for residents.

In reality, only one bar has requested more expansions than are already allowed, and that business has promised extra police protection, portable restrooms and trash pickup to offset any expenses the town would incur. The event that sparked the debate, a breast cancer 5K fundraiser, drew hundreds of people to the town in October, a significant boost to town business in the shoulder season.

Opposition to Dewey’s bars galvanized over Dewey Beach Enterprises’ plan to redevelop the Ruddertowne property. It now seems opposition to that project has morphed into opposition to the bars and businesses that define the town – and if there’s anything history shows, it’s that those businesses will defend their interests in court. That’s an expensive and counterproductive avenue for solving problems.

It’s time for Dewey Beach Town Council to turn down the conflict and work with the business community to find ways to ensure balance, allowing businesses to prosper while protecting the rights of property owners.