PZC Approves Restaurant Planned For Mystic's Seaport Marine

Mystic’s bustling restaurant scene is about to get a bit busier. On Tuesday night the Stonington Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved an application that will allow to build a mixed-use marina support facility at their Washington Street location.

The approved plans call for construction of a two-story, 8,340-square foot building that will include retail, restroom, shower, laundry and restaurant facilities.

Seaport Marine agreed to a number of conditions for the plan after hearing concerns from the commission and residents at the PZC’s July meeting.

Calling it an effort to meet neighbors halfway, William Sweeney an attorney for Seaport Marine, said the closing time of the restaurant would be by midnight with the kitchen closing at 10 p.m., and a last call at 11 p.m. Original plans had the restaurant closing at 2 a.m.

“It will not be an active bar scene,” Sweeney said.

But if past success is any indication of future success it will be a busy place. Angela Kanabis who managers and whose family owns Bravo Bravo, , and Olio in Groton will run the restaurant.

Increased traffic on the surrounding residential streets was a concern for both commission members and the public.

“Traffic studies never tell the whole picture,” PZC Commission Member Francis Hoffman said. “My concern is what happens off the property, the impact on the community.”

Sweeney said a traffic studied showed the restaurant may mean an additional 16 to 26 cars an hour and added that as much of the restaurant seating was outdoors there would probably be less traffic during the cooler months of the year.

Local neighbors Mary Hendrickson and David Snediker reminded the commission that many of the residential streets near Seaport Marine don’t have sidewalks.

“I’m concerned about the traffic and the number of trips down those tiny residential roads without sidewalks,” Snediker said, adding that Seaport Marine had been very reasonable and accommodating in rolling back the restaurant hours of operation.

Seaport Marine said they would consider sponsoring wayfinding signs and working with the to have them placed as to direct traffic down Cottrell Street.