A proposal to convert a historic Connecticut building from a bed and breakfast to an upscale restaurant with a “different level of dining experience” has failed as a result of concerns about its intensity, parking and more.
The request for a special permit for 184 Main St. in Wethersfield drew opposition from neighbors and a vote to deny it by the Wethersfield Planning and Zoning Commission. The property is in Old Wethersfield.
The plan called for a change of use of the Chester Bulkley house from a commercial bed and breakfast to a restaurant with outdoor dining and a patio, records show. The plan called for a menu concept and general vision “centered around Southern Italian culture, inspired by the island of Sicily, with an upscale business casual dining style.”
Attorney Brian Silver, who represents the applicant for the site, and also lives in Wethersfield, told the PZC at a recent hearing “we do feel…it would act in harmony” at the location, which had already been a commercial business. He said the applicant had worked with the Historic District Commission to comply with what it sought for the site.
“We do believe the application satisfies … the prongs of the zoning code,” he said.
The application was by Erigels Kroi, who noted he has 20 years in the restaurant business.
“We want to bring a new and simple vision of Southern Italian cuisine, something that we feel Wethersfield, and Connecticut, currently lacks. We would like to attract local diners as well as visitors from around Hartford County and beyond,” the site application said. “We plan on differentiating ourselves from other Italian style restaurants in that we will focus on seafood, seasonality and the flavors of Sicily. We want to service the clientele searching for simple plates for dinner and desert and who seek hospitality and a unique dining experience.”
However, during a PZC public hearing, neighbors in Old Wethersfield expressed concerns about the size of the proposal, deliveries, trash hauling, hours of operation, constant traffic, mechanical noise, regular, and truck delivery movements, site line safety, emergency vehicle access, the possibility of rodents being attracted, exhaust from idling of vehicles, lack of buffers to homes, loss of privacy, and other issues.
One neighbor told the PZC he did not believe the application met its legal standards, which he called “mandatory approval criteria,” including about adversely affecting neighboring properties and being physically suitable for a site, which is directly next to to existing homes in that neighborhood. He said a driveway at the proposed site directly abuts his home.
Another resident, who said they are a lifelong town resident, including 33 years in Old Wethersfield, expressed concerned about traffic and said the town must pay specific attention to safety.
“i think the neighbors need to be considered,” she said, noting there are about 1,100 homes in Old Wethersfield.
Resident Paul Brady, who serves on the Zoning Board of Appeals, but was speaking only as a resident, said he had experience with a business being located next to property he owned and was concerned about the town damaging “its history” by not protecting it.
Many town residents were directly involved in the American Revolution and establishment of the nation, as well as Connecticut governance.
Several residents noted parking issues, and the amount of coming and going the proposed restaurant would bring, given its size and seating capacity.
Kroi noted there would be 114 dining seats, 24 counter seats, and about 20 employees, 15-17 employees there during busiest shifts. He said 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. were the planned hours of operation.
The application provided a general outline of the kitchen menu, saying it would “highlight seasonal produce and imported goods from Southern Italy, many of which cannot be found on the menus of other Italian restaurants.”
Silver said that if any new restaurant were approved for the neighborhood, “this location would be the best choice” because of proximity to two local parking lots. Silver and Koir noted there was proposed buffering and screening in cooperation with the Historic District Commission.
“We believe it is compatible…it was a commercial business already,” Silver said.
Silver and Kroi said they understand the value of the historic nature of Old Wethersfield.
Silver noted that there are many business in that area and “we do believe this particular restaurant can ‘co-exist’, noting the bed and breakfast also served meals and under this plan the site would continue to do so, ‘just not allowing anyone to sleep over.’”
PZC members, in discussion of the application, also expressed concern about parking, the location give the proximity to the neighbors, the size of the lot, the intensity of the proposed business, the number of proposed tables, and the distance to the neighboring homes.
Resident Renee Morales offered support for the plan, noting, “we’d love to support our own town.”
“If you are in a mixed use area you have to expect this,” she said.
The application also had noted that the project “mission and long term vision” for the restaurant would be “to act as a well established community hub just like Heirloom Market, Lucky Lou’s, The Charles, Village Pizza, etc., serving neighbors and visitors, and bringing Sicilian culture and food to Old Wethersfield. We want to be active in the community, bringing people together and hosting special events such as private occasions and wine dinners. We plan to feature a rare wine collection and hope to eventually become established as a Wine Spectator List destination, to bring attention and recognition to what Old Wethersfield has to offer as a thriving, lively New England town. We would be honored to be a part of the Old Wethersfield community. ”
It also noted that the business would “comply with all health and building regulations and standards” hold a liquor license and have an estimated 20 employees necessary to staff the restaurant.