Waterfront beer garden, brewery plan gains approval

MILFORD — The city’s first waterfront biergarten and third craft brewery hopped over its Planning and Zoning Board hurdles as smoothly as a cold IPA goes down in summer.

Dockside Waterfront Biergarten and Brewery, heralded by residents and even the city’s economic development commission as a destination business that will benefit the city — and especially the Devon area — was granted a special permit and others approvals Tuesday to create the first of its kind business here at 38-40, home of Village Marina, and 44-50 Bridgeport Ave., a neighboring parcel that will become a parking lot. The vote was unanimous, clearing the way for construction to begin.

The permit was granted with the stipulation that no outdoor speakers nor outdoor live entertainment will be allowed, because of neighbors’ concerns about noise.

The project’s developers, Bob Chicoine and Dan Bagley, said in a recent interview they are looking to bring “a slice of Nantucket” to the city, with the waterfront biergarten — or beer garden — and craft brewery. Bagley owns the property and Chicoine has craft brewery experience. Both men say they love beer.

It will be the kind of venue, Chicoine and Bagley said, that will be family friendly and will attract visitors from other states as well.

At Tuesday’s public hearing, the developer’s attorney, John Knuff, came at it full throttle, presenting the PZB with a 1,500-signature petition in favor of the endeavor, a detailed presentation from an architect and a block of people to speak in favor of the plan.

Planning and Zoning Board members asked a lot of tough questions, and got thorough answers from Knuff.

While a few residents and property owners expressed concern over traffic or noise, that was outweighed by favorable comments about the economic boost and shoreline access the business would create.

City Economic Development Director Julie Nash read a letter of support from EDC Chairman Michael Lynch, who wrote that the economic impact of craft breweries is “staggering,” and noted the importance of job creation. State Rep. Kim Rose, D-Milford, whose district includes Devon — and who was long involved

in the Devon revitalization effort — also wrote in favor.

Realtor Elizabeth “Libby” Ditchkus, former chairwoman of the Devon Revitalization Commission, told the PZB, referring to the developers, “We should be grateful these people are sticking their necks out,” as bringing in business is key to revitalization.

Another resident, Carol Eaton, who lives one street away from Village Marina, said, “I’m so excited. I hope this goes through.”

The owner of the popular Bridge House Restaurant across the street told the PZB that he and his customers are thrilled at the prospect of Dockside opening.

As was mentioned by many, Dockside Waterfront Biergarten and Brewery will be located just over the bridge from Stratford in the “gateway” to Milford.

The project is slated for a nearly 3-acre parcel on the

The project is slated for a nearly 3-acre parcel on the shore of Housatonic River at 40-50 Bridgeport Ave., just over the Washington bridge from Stratford.

shore of Housatonic River at 40-50 Bridgeport Ave., just over the Washington bridge from Stratford.

The business partners plan to knock down a vacant house on the property to create a 112-space parking lot and will turn a former bait and tackle store, Village Marina (which relocated next door), into a craft brewery with a glass wall facing the Housatonic River that folds out for fresh air. There will be two decks going toward the water and lots of outdoor seating.

They also are redoing two docks and will rent boat slips, some of which are ready for rental this summer. Boaters interested in renting a slip this summer can contact Bagley at 203-913-3105.

For now, they will serve pizza and snacks, along with craft beer and wine. No hard liquor will be served.

A spokesman for the developer said the economic impact of Connecticut’s craft beer industry is more than $700 million, “almost double what it was five years ago.”

He said that over the last decade Connecticut has experienced more than a 500 percent increase in the number of craft breweries, with nearly 70 up and running statewide today.

Bagley, who lives in Trumbull but grew up in Milford, said recently that it’s a perfect location — Long Island Sound is right around the corner, only 15 minutes away and all kinds of watercraft will be able to pull up.