Permits are not the answer to Lewes Beach parking problems

The following letter is in response to “Lewes Beach residential streets aren’t for the public” by Mark Lyman, a letter that appeared in the Aug. 8 edition. 

Parking, without a doubt, has been an increasing burden, and, yes, it creates a dangerous environment. For 25 years, I have owned Quest Adventures, providing beach supplies and water sport activities. We serve many locals and tourists. I think this proposal is not the way to fix the parking problem.  

First, I suggest making every side street one way, alternating directions every other street. That immediately cuts in half the entrance traffic to Cedar Street, and eliminates parking in the wrong direction.

The city needs to utilize the property we pay for. Right now, we are paying for landscaping of property of homeowners that have encroached (mostly unintentionally) over the years. Bushes and trees get bigger; it’s what they do. Homeowners have driveways; visitors have street parking. If the homeowners want to park on the street, then go right ahead. There is ample city-owned land the city has the right to and should utilize on each side of Cedar and each side street. The homeowners should only landscape and occupy within their property lines. Homeowners have the right to still hang no-parking signs on their property just as much as visitors have the right to park in front of that sign on city property.

I don’t like the rapid growth, and I miss the old Lewes as much as most, but permits are not the way to go. Now is not the time. If someone attained a permit and only used the parking once a week, how many people were unable to utilize what this town so highly promotes and advertises across the country? Eliminate the access to the beach and it will affect every retail store, restaurant, grocery store and numerous other service business, including mine – the one that is my livelihood, feeds my family, sends my children to college, gives back to this town, creates accessibility for special needs, and provides services to just as many locals as tourists. 

I do want safety. I do want homeowners to enjoy their property. And I do want the public to enjoy this amazing town. Permits without the infrastructure is a waste of time. It will only create more crowds at the metered parking lots. It is only going to move one area’s parking problems to another area with its own parking problems. It will have a trickle-down effect on many local businesses.