Rehoboth Beach Reviews Outdoor Seating Proposal

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del - The Rehoboth Beach Commissioners reviewed a proposal allowing businesses the ability to expand restaurant seating outdoors to the sidewalk and / or parking spaces. It was on Tuesday, that Delaware Governor John Carney said businesses can begin applying for an outdoor expansion starting on May 22 for authorization by the Phase One Reopening start on June 1. "There are many of them (businesses) that are about to lose everything," Commissioner Edward Chrzanowski said. "It is the reality that we have to do something." It is a plan that would allow restaurants to serve customers beyond the 30 percent fire code indoor capacity required under Governor Carney's order. Under the proposal, a waiver will request both the city and state to allow alcohol to be served with the outdoor seating. The proposal also states that if parking spaces (Rehoboth Ave. excluding the median, south side Wilmington Ave, and south side Baltimore Ave) are removed for outdoor dining during June and July it could cost the city an estimated $794,880 in revenue from lost fees. The commissioners did agree to turn on parking meters and requiring parking permits on May 30 with the understanding that parking spaces could later to be used for the businesses. Also addressed during the commissioner's meeting was social distancing enforcement on the boardwalk and Rehoboth Ave. Police Chief Keith Banks anticipates new signs spelling out the requirement of masks on the boardwalk should be in place either late Thursday or early Friday (the date beach restrictions are lifted).