Orange Vineyard Sues Town Over Expansion Denial

ORANGE, CT — The owners of Stappa Vineyard are suing the town after its proposal to add parking spaces and outdoor seating was denied by the Town Planning and Zoning Commission.

Owner Stellato Realty LLC applied to add 21 outdoor tables and an outdoor pergola, plus additional parking.

TPZC unanimously rejected the plan, citing that the vineyard is in a residential zone and that the expansion could be detrimental to surrounding neighbors, according to a compliant filed in state Superior Court.

Related: Orange Winery Expansion Plans Denied

Attorney Joseph Porto, who represents Stellato, wrote in the civil complaint that TPZC ignored the only expert evidence entered into the record and that no expert testimony was offered in opposition to Stellato's plan.

"Despite substantial evidence to the contrary, the Defendant Commission failed to find that the applications were in the best interests of the community as a whole and that the site plan, outdoor lighting and outdoor seating plan will serve the needs of the Town of Orange's population," Porto wrote.

Attorneys for the town filed a motion to extend their response due date to Jan. 9.