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No more exemptions for parking in Rehoboth

Rise in construction vehicles parking for free prompts decision from commissioners
May 30, 2018

Story Location:
229 Rehoboth Ave.
Rehoboth, DE 19971
United States

During their May 18 meeting, Rehoboth commissioners voted unanimously in favor of requiring businesses to purchase parking passes for all their vehicles that will be working in town.

Mayor Paul Kuhns said the issue was spurred because of congestion around construction sites, and people were complaining five work trucks would be parked near a site with no parking passes.

Prior to the change, the town provided one transferable parking pass to all businesses that purchased a business license. The town would then allow vehicles clearly marked as work vehicles to park in nonmetered parking spots while working in town for the day.

The trucks will still be there, Kuhns said, but this change at least makes everyone feel a little bit better about some people not getting to park for free.

The change takes place immediately. In Rehoboth, parking passes are required beginning Friday, May 25.

City Manager Sharon Lynn said the word about the new parking requirement was already getting around to some contractors. She said one business bought 12 passes this past week.

Lynn said the city has a list of all contractors with business licenses and will reach out to them, but she said she’s sure not all the contractors will be notified.

“We’ll be kind and gentle,” said Lynn, referring to how strictly the new parking rules will be enforced at the beginning.

Commissioner Lisa Schlosser asked if any contractors had complained about the change.

Lynn said no, as of May 18, there had been no pushback.

Commissioner Jay Lagree said he wasn’t surprised there hadn’t been any pushback. It’s not being enforced yet, he said.

While the ordinance changed the rules for contractor vehicles, the city manager still retains the right to issue special permits for vehicles to park in a parking permit area.

Parking pass information

Beginning Friday, May 25, permits are required daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in all nonmetered areas within the city.

A seasonal transferable permit is $250. A seasonal nontransferable permit is $225. An 8-consecutive-day permit is $80. A weekday daily permit is $15.

Parking permits are available for sale at the Parking Meter Department, 1 City Hall Drive; at the visitors center, 501 Rehoboth Ave; at a kiosk on Rehoboth Avenue coming into town after crossing the drawbridge, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and at a kiosk on Bayard Avenue near Silver Lake, also from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information go to www.cityofrehoboth.com or call city hall at 302-227-6181.

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