Stratford pub urges supporters to speak up amid opposition
STRATFORD — A website launched by the owners of a Lordship restaurant in support of a plan for outdoor dining and entertainment says the plan has received “overwhelming support” from the community.
But at public hearings on the issue, critics of the plan have outnumbered supporters among those who spoke on the record.
A Zoning Commission hearing on the controversial application will continue Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Town Hall and the restaurant’s website, seawall4all.com, is urging supporters to attend.
“While we do have tremendous support for our proposal, we still need your help to make Seawall Park a permanent open-air gathering space and outdoor recreation location for the community,” read a message posted on the website. “Showing support now is important.”
The restaurant is seeking a permit for outdoor dining and entertainment on the 0.6-acre property where two dozen picnic tables now stand. It has been serving food, drinks and ice cream to customers out of two small shipping containers under an executive order issued by Gov. Ned Lamont last March allowing restaurants to expand outdoor dining during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Hearst Connecticut Media story detailing last month’s meeting was shared dozens of times on social media, where comments on community Facebook groups trended heavily in support of Little Pub and against neighbors who have spoken out against the application.
Though neighbors told town land use officials that unruly customers have clogged traffic and parking in the area, and that some use private properties to relieve themselves, others have said that such issues are as old as the waterfront community itself.
The restaurant’s Facebook page even weighed in with a post of its own.
“Well, we suppose we need to say something about today’s CT Post article on Little Pub and Seawall Park but we’re kind of at a loss for words,” the post read, urging readers to visit its website to look at its plans. The page also includes vintage pictures showing the seawall as a historic gathering place.
Accompanying the words was a screenshot of an online story from June citing a report calling Connecticut “among the least fun states.”
Another image read: “DON’T BLAME US. We’re trying.”
“Anyone who wants to talk to us can DM,” the post concluded. “We’ll get back to you.”
A direct message sent to the page Monday morning was not immediately answered.
Town Council Chairman Chris Pia, R-1, whose district covers Lordship, said he’s heard from people on both sides of the issue, and has told them to contact the Zoning Commission representative for the district, James Vigliotti.
He said he doesn’t have a personal opinion on the application because he’s elected to represent all residents.
“People have reached out to me that are obviously concerned about it, but people have also reached out that enjoy Little Pub and what they’re doing,” he said. “Both sides are equally represented, I think.”
He said people should participate in the public process and make their opinions known to the Zoning Board.
“That’s what we have it for,” he said.