Stonington — The Planning and Zoning Commission will resume its public hearing on a controversial plan to open an event center on Route 1 in close proximity to two similar businesses on June 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Mystic Middle School.

Roland Pampel & Alban Pampel III Trust, the owners of the 3.75-acre site between 786 and 804 Stonington Road (Route 1), are seeking a special use and Coastal Area Management permits to construct the Stonington Boathouse, an approximately 6,140-square-foot building with 250 seats and 80 parking spots just east of the entrance to Flemings Feed. The facility would be used to host weddings and other special events and would operate from May to October. The principal of the event center is Robert Taylor of Mystic. It would be located in close proximity to the The Meadows on Route 1 and Saltwater Farm Vineyard located off Route 1A, also known as Elm Street.

At the first night of public hearings on May 19, project attorney Thomas Collier outlined the application and said revised plans would be submitted prior to the next hearing. According to draft minutes of the hearing, Taylor stated that many event venues in the area are booked a year or more in advance and that he believes the facility will not have a negative impact on the area.

Paul Biscuti, the project engineer, said the on-site well would be private and state regulations limit the use of the facility to 60 days a year in order for it not to be considered a “community water supply.” He said Taylor could apply to the state for year-round use.

Commissioners raised questions about parking, traffic impact, on-site septic system and public coastal access. Biscuti pointed out the Board of Police Commissioners did not have any issues with traffic.

Attorney Bill Sweeney, who represents Michael Connery, the owner of Saltwater Farm Vineyard, said his client does not object to the plan as a competitor, according to the meeting minutes. Instead, he said Connery believes the design is not suitable due to coastal flooding.

Sweeney raised concerns of noise, traffic and screening of the property and asked the traffic study not be waived as he said the police commissioners did have concerns. He also said the facility is not permitted in the zoning district and does not comply with flood regulations.

Connery’s engineer also raised concerns about the adequacy of drainage and the septic system.

Ian Camfield, who owns the building that houses The Meadows, also opposed the plan.

He had concerns with noise, parking, the definition of event centers and said the project would inhibit redevelopment of the former marina site to the east. He said the facility “would have a difficult time hosting 60 events a year compared to established venues in the area,” according to the minutes.

He also said he was concerned about traffic “with three event facilities in such a small radius.”

Mukesh Patel, who owns the adjacent America’s Best Value Inn at 812 Stonington Road, was concerned about the well on the site as in the summer one of his wells often dries up. He said is concerned a new well would further affect neighboring wells.

The hearing is slated to continue on June 16 with Collier beginning his rebuttal testimony.

j.wojtas@theday.com

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