Since opening in Bethany Beach in 2000, it had offered Hispanic cuisine and cocktails. In February, it closed its doors with plans to move to a larger venue in Fenwick Island.

Because the state received at least 10 signatures of protest, its liquor license application was heard by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission on June 3. The application was approved pending an inspection of the facility, officials said.

Shane Abbott, Sussex County's assistant director of planning and zoning, said the restaurant's owner also had to apply for a variance before the Board of Adjustment.

"When the shopping center was built in the late '70s or early '80s, it was required to have 48 (parking) spaces," he said. "Now, they only have 33 on that site."

Because of how Fenwick Island has developed, Abbott said the restaurant had few alternatives.

"They could obtain additional land, they could add parking," he said. "But, on their site, I don't see where they could add anymore."

The variance was approved June 7.

Donna Alexander, who lives on a street adjacent to the restaurant's new location, said parking in Fenwick Island is particularly burdensome. She said she had to pave her yard to provide parking spaces for herself, her family and friends.

"I feel bad for (Matteo's)," she said. "If people do want to go there to eat, I don't know where they're going to park, and that's unfortunate."

Owner Matt Griffin said he doesn't know when the restaurant will open.

"That's a question I just can't answer yet," he said.

Griffin would not comment about the recent license and parking woes.

Jim Schultz, of Clarksville, said he's driven past the new location several times in the hope it would be open. Since he moved to the county five years ago, he said he's become a regular at Matteo's because of its good food and atmosphere.

"We miss it very much and we hope they get it all straightened out and get it opened," he said.

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