Fenwick Island to consider parking on vacant commercial lots

Credit to: CoastTV, Kevin Zipay

Officials in Fenwick Island are scheduled to hold a first reading Friday on a proposed amendment that would allow parking on certain unimproved lots in the town’s commercial district. The proposal comes in response to ongoing parking issues near Surf Bagel.

Surf Bagel opened its Fenwick Island location in November 2024 and has experienced consistent demand, especially during the peak summer season. The restaurant has 29 on-site parking spaces, which President Matt Patton said have occasionally been insufficient to accommodate customer traffic.

“They're going to get those bagels no matter what,” Patton said.

He noted the business has received complaints about customers blocking neighboring lots or parking illegally on nearby streets.

“We can control what we do and what our employees do, but we can't always control what the guests do,” Patton said.

Current town code prohibits parking on unimproved, or vacant, commercial lots — even with the property owner’s permission. Patton said that rule has prevented the use of the empty lot adjacent to Surf Bagel for overflow parking.

The Fenwick Island Town Council will consider a proposed ordinance change at Friday’s first reading. If approved through the required readings and votes, the amendment would allow parking on unimproved commercial lots under specific conditions.

Tim Collins, who owns a business across the street from Surf Bagel, said expanding parking options could benefit multiple establishments, not just one.

The mayor of Fenwick Island said that even if the ordinance is amended, property owners or businesses seeking to use unimproved land for parking would still need to submit a formal plan to the Town Council. The council would then review the proposal and decide whether to approve or deny the request.