Planning Board Approves Outdoor Dining Plan for Stony's

The Planning Board late Tuesday night approved an application by to develop an outdoor area at 20 Waverly Place into an outdoor dining patio.

The unanimous vote at the regularly scheduled meeting at came after several hours of detailed presentations and cross-examinations from lawyers, continued from a session on June 7.

“The rear of that property is, in my view, an eyesore in its current condition,” board chair Steven Tombalakian said. “It’s a detriment to the area in its present condition and I believe that approving this application and allowing the improvements to be created will be a net benefit to the community.”

The decision to approve the application of the 27-square-foot patio came after numerous inquiries from the board to Stony’s owner Stony Johnson, his lawyer Brian Burns and his engineer Michael Cole.

Many of the inquiries were continued from the June 7 meeting including revamped outdoor lighting fixtures (which were altered to meet town specifications); a trash disposal plan; fencing; seating and drainage.

Opposing the approval of the application was Paul Simonson, the owner and resident of a building adjacent to Stony’s.

Simonson, lawyer David Lloyd, and Kenneth Nelson, a licensed planner, argued that because he lives within 200 feet of Stony’s, the negative effects from building an outdoor atmosphere would disrupt his everyday life and those of his tenants.

Simonson argued that excessive noise, an influx of traffic, and an increase of attention would “erratically change the quality of life” in the area.

Nelson spoke about a possible “over-utilization” of the property if approved, citing increases in parking demands and “in-and-out traffic” as reasons to disapprove the application.

Despite Simonson’s numerous arguments against the application, more than five of the board members shared their positive feelings about the outdoor patio, before they unanimously voted to approve, 9-0.

“I took a good look at that property today and I have to agree that he improvement that Stony’s is looking at, at this point would be extremely good for that portion [of town],” board member Carmela Vitale said. “This [empty lot] doesn’t look like Madison and I appreciate the fact that there’s going to be some good work done back there.”