Keep it simple in Rehoboth

The Rehoboth Beach commissioners have spent months debating pools in response to pool-related noise complaints. Now they are set to discuss whether some property owners are running hotels in residential areas.

These are important questions as more of the resort’s older homes are replaced by larger residences that house more people, who in turn drive more cars, create more trash and make more noise.

As Mayor Sam Cooper has said, one thing that sets Rehoboth apart is its year-round residents, neighbors who know one another and whose presence fosters a welcoming sense of community. As family homes are replaced by investment properties, it raises serious concerns that Rehoboth‘s character could disappear along with its cottages.

What generated the most concern was the discovery in November that one builder had surreptitiously converted permitted storage space into bedrooms, deceiving city inspectors by building a temporary wall to conceal a staircase. The case sparked outrage – and the contractor’s license was rescinded. Still, to date, the case has not been resolved.

Instead, Rehoboth commissioners are now considering yearly inspections of all rental homes – and hiring an official to do them – and requiring homeowners with pools to take a course about pool chemicals.

But let’s be clear: Neither measure will reduce noise or prevent builders from hiding illegal bedrooms.

More regulation is not the answer, and beyond that, these regulations target the very people who promote the sense of community that sets Rehoboth apart.

Ironically, building inspectors discovered the hidden bedrooms only when neighbors repeatedly complained to the same officials who had failed to inspect “storage” areas converted to bedrooms.

Instead of more regulations for everyone, officials should encourage residents and renters to report noise violations and let police do their jobs, as they have long done: warn offenders, and if that doesn’t work, issue tickets.

Blatant, intentional infractions of the building code should result in stiff fines and loss of licenses. City officials should take aim at the scofflaws, not burden the very residents who help make Rehoboth the great town it is.