Plans for the new Atlantic Crowne Hotel in Rehoboth Beach cleared a major hurdle on April 28th when the city’s board of adjustment approved a variance allowing the required loading area to be located on an adjacent property.

The hotel is proposed for four lots at 17, 19, 21, and 23 Baltimore Avenue.

Project Details and Approval

The hotel, proposed for 17 through 23 Baltimore Avenue, will include:

• 55 guest rooms
• Four stories
• Ground-level restaurant and bar

Owned by local hotelier, Gene Lankford, the development will sit just west of the Atlantic Sands Hotel, which Lankford also owns. 

The city had previously approved a shared entrance to underground parking between the new and existing hotels.

The underground parking for the Atlantic Crowne is planned to be accessed through the existing ramp used by the Atlantic Sands Hotel.

During the hearing, project engineer Carlton Savage explained that the dimensions of the city-required loading berth could not be met within the project site without violating other zoning rules. 

The board ultimately agreed but required that an easement be recorded to preserve access to the loading area permanently, even if the property changes hands.

A Project Years in the Making

The Atlantic Crowne has evolved since its first introduction in 2019:

• • Originally proposed as a 40-room boutique hotel named Atlantic Crown
  • Received a height-related variance in July 2019
  • Faced legal challenges related to height and gross floor area

• Current version introduced in January 2023: Includes 55 rooms, four stories, and a ground-level restaurant and bar. 

Additional Board Decisions

The April 28th board meeting also included decisions on three other properties:

• 57 Columbia Ave: A request to intrude on a side-yard setback for a pool cover tracking system was denied.
• 1001 Scarborough Ave: An appeal related to a property resubdivision was withdrawn and referred to the planning commission.
• 16 Hickman St.: A floor-to-area ratio variance was approved for the replacement of an exterior stairway. This was the second time this request was granted, with updated building code considerations simplifying the project.

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Source: Cape Gazette, Cape Gazette