Stonington - Since it opened two summers ago, the Dog Watch Café at Dodson's Boatyard in the borough has been a big hit. Now, co-owner David Eck wants to double the number of seats in the café from 75 to 150; offer music on his back deck during the summer; and open a take-out operation in the marina store that would sell ice cream, breakfast sandwiches and other items. The expanded services would be in effect from mid-May to mid-September and create about 16 new jobs.

Now, co-owner David Eck wants to double the number of seats in the café from 75 to 150; offer music on his back deck during the summer; and open a take-out operation in the marina store that would sell ice cream, breakfast sandwiches and other items. The expanded services would be in effect from mid-May to mid-September and create about 16 new jobs. Eck has submitted an application to the borough Planning and Zoning Commission to amend the zoning regulations to allow such activities in the Planned Waterfront District where the restaurant is located. The commission has scheduled a public hearing on the application for Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in Borough Hall.

Eck has submitted an application to the borough Planning and Zoning Commission to amend the zoning regulations to allow such activities in the Planned Waterfront District where the restaurant is located. The commission has scheduled a public hearing on the application for Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in Borough Hall.While Eck said his plans have the support of most of his neighbors, one of them, Ingrid Feddersen of Front Street, is distributing a letter in opposition.

While Eck said his plans have the support of most of his neighbors, one of them, Ingrid Feddersen of Front Street, is distributing a letter in opposition. Although Eck said the Dog Watch has ample parking in and around the Dodson's property, Feddersen said the proposed changes would increase the need for more parking along upper Water Street, and the music would disturb neighbors. She said she has already filed complaints about music coming from inside the Dog Watch until 12:30 a.m.

Although Eck said the Dog Watch has ample parking in and around the Dodson's property, Feddersen said the proposed changes would increase the need for more parking along upper Water Street, and the music would disturb neighbors. She said she has already filed complaints about music coming from inside the Dog Watch until 12:30 a.m. "So when there is a request for outdoor music, I would like to suggest not only will I have a sleepless night and a loud day, but also the persons living on Water Street, Broad Street, Front Street, Wheeler Court, Gold and Northwest streets will feel their peaceful afternoons and evenings disrupted. The suggestion that music will stay within the legal noise limit must be taken with a pound of salt, not just a grain," she wrote in her letter to residents.

"So when there is a request for outdoor music, I would like to suggest not only will I have a sleepless night and a loud day, but also the persons living on Water Street, Broad Street, Front Street, Wheeler Court, Gold and Northwest streets will feel their peaceful afternoons and evenings disrupted. The suggestion that music will stay within the legal noise limit must be taken with a pound of salt, not just a grain," she wrote in her letter to residents.But Eck said decibel levels could not exceed state limits, and he does not envision playing outdoor music after 10 p.m. He said he would like his outdoor patrons to be able to listen to someone strumming a guitar or Jimmy Buffett music over the speakers.

But Eck said decibel levels could not exceed state limits, and he does not envision playing outdoor music after 10 p.m. He said he would like his outdoor patrons to be able to listen to someone strumming a guitar or Jimmy Buffett music over the speakers."We're not going to have live rock 'n' roll bands out there until 2 in the morning," he said.

"We're not going to have live rock 'n' roll bands out there until 2 in the morning," he said.Eck is seeking to permit a Class I or take-out restaurant in the Planned Waterfront District, which is currently allowed.

Eck is seeking to permit a Class I or take-out restaurant in the Planned Waterfront District, which is currently allowed. For a Class II restaurant such as his, which has seasonal outdoor seating for 75 or less, he is also seeking an amendment that would allow the outdoor seating to be increased by not more than 1,000 square feet and no more than 75 additional seats.

For a Class II restaurant such as his, which has seasonal outdoor seating for 75 or less, he is also seeking an amendment that would allow the outdoor seating to be increased by not more than 1,000 square feet and no more than 75 additional seats. Eck said that while the borough has allowed him to have an additional 50 seats on the back deck overlooking the harbor, that can accommodate only people having drinks while waiting for a table.

Eck said that while the borough has allowed him to have an additional 50 seats on the back deck overlooking the harbor, that can accommodate only people having drinks while waiting for a table. He said he would like to be able to serve those patrons appetizers, which would be permitted if the change is approved.

He said he would like to be able to serve those patrons appetizers, which would be permitted if the change is approved.He is also seeking clearance to play or project live or recorded music in the back deck area, provided it complies with noise standards.

He is also seeking clearance to play or project live or recorded music in the back deck area, provided it complies with noise standards. The changes would apply to all property in the Planned Waterfront District. There is only one other restaurant there now, Skipper's Dock, and its seating exceeds the current limit because it existed before the regulations were adopted.

The changes would apply to all property in the Planned Waterfront District. There is only one other restaurant there now, Skipper's Dock, and its seating exceeds the current limit because it existed before the regulations were adopted.If the commission approves the amendments, Eck would have to receive approval from the commission for a special permit, which would require another hearing. Eck hopes to have the changes in place for the coming season.

If the commission approves the amendments, Eck would have to receive approval from the commission for a special permit, which would require another hearing. Eck hopes to have the changes in place for the coming season.One additional issue Eck may have to overcome is a letter from the state Office of Long Island Sound Programs, which expresses several concerns about allowing such non-water-dependent uses in a coastal management zone.

One additional issue Eck may have to overcome is a letter from the state Office of Long Island Sound Programs, which expresses several concerns about allowing such non-water-dependent uses in a coastal management zone.