BY STEFANIE JACKSON BOWMANN, Eastern Shore Post —
Cape Charles Town Council members recently reviewed proposed regulations for short-term rental vacation homes, but they could not agree on what, if anything, they should do about the most controversial issue in the matter before them: parking.
“This is the peak (tourist) season … and there’s plenty of parking. Why are we creating a regulation if we don’t even have a parking problem?” asked Town Manager John Hozey on Thursday, Aug. 8.
But Cape Charles residents have submitted written and spoken public comments and indicated on a survey that parking is a problem.
In the tiny tourist town, which has a population of about 1,200, homes are built close together on small lots, and parking on the street is often the only option for residents.
Some have complained that, during the summer tourist season, they can’t run a few quick errands without discovering, upon their return, that the parking spots in front of their homes have been poached by tourists staying in neighboring housing.
Councilman Paul Grossman said that, according to a townwide survey, parking is an issue in the R-1 zoning district, the town’s primary residential area, as well as parts of the Bay Creek community.
Councilman Andrew Follmer said that parking is a problem throughout Cape Charles’ historic district, which includes both residential and commercial properties.
Councilman Ken Butta disagreed and said that parking is an issue only in some areas of the historic district, such as Randolph Avenue.
Furthermore, residents of towns like Cape Charles are accustomed to parking a block away and walking to their homes, he said.
Butta acknowledged that this scenario would present a problem for elderly residents with mobility issues.
Councilwoman Tammy Holloway said the parking issue is real, not “perceived,” and residents “feel the pain.”
Councilman Steve Bennett said, “I don’t think it is something to be ignored, but I also don’t think that we have a solution that we can offer at this point.”
Follmer said that attempting to address parking issues only in the context of short-term rentals would be inadequate, and a townwide parking plan is needed.
Holloway, who owns and operates a bed-and-breakfast in town, said that it helps to simply talk to guests about where they should park at certain times and how their cooperation is “for the good of Cape Charles.”
“It’s a conversation, and it works out perfectly,” she said.
Grossman said he was concerned that the town council was “kicking the can down the road.”
He noted that occupancy is limited, and he suggested the number of vehicles that may be brought to a vacation home likewise should be limited.
Follmer said that move would “turn neighbors against neighbors.”
Councilman Andy Buchholz added that Cape Charles is limited in its ability to regulate parking because the roads are state-owned.
Hozey said of the parking issue, “We’ll deal with it later.”
