Planning commission approves facade, patio and site changes for Colony Grill at former Burger King with conditions

The Shelton Planning and Zoning Commission on July 9 approved a minor modification to the former Burger King at 902 Bridgeport Avenue allowing exterior and site changes for a Colony Grill restaurant, contingent on the applicant submitting updated drawings within 30 days.

The vote came after a presentation by the project architect and the applicant that described a new beige/gray brick façade, black-framed windows, a covered outdoor patio with a pergola and a reconfigured entry and takeout arrangement. The commission approved the change 6-0, with the condition that the applicant provide revised plans showing a crosswalk to adjacent parking, an updated parking layout, and a masonry enclosure for dumpsters within 30 calendar days for staff review.

The changes will remove parts of the existing glass “glass house” elements, lower and level existing roof volumes, add a gabled porch feature and replace red brick with a lighter, “vanilla” brick intended to unify the building’s elevations, architect George Perham said. "We're gonna be removing all the windows and replacing it with black framed windows and buttons," Perham said during his presentation. The design also calls for a covered pergola on the north side that will have adjustable louvers for weather protection.

Will Hicks, the landscape designer, said the site plan reduces paved areas and adds trees and evergreen screening, including three pin oaks and foundation plantings to frame the main entrance and screen the dumpster area. "One of our broad concepts is eliminate a lot of that concrete that's there and add some plant material to soften the building and we can kind of ground it," Hicks said.

Commissioners asked for pedestrian improvements linking overflow parking behind the Stop & Shop to the restaurant; the applicant agreed to add a walkway or painted crosswalk to the updated civil drawings. The commission also required the dumpsters be moved to a masonry enclosure and noted staff review of any civil changes.

The applicant described operational details during the presentation: typical opening at 11:30 a.m., weekday closing around 11 p.m. and later weekend hours as permitted by the liquor commission; a staffing estimate of roughly 40–50 employees total across shifts; and a commitment to regular litter pickup rather than freestanding exterior trash cans. The applicant also said pickup and catering truck parking are included in the plan and that the project will reorient some parking from diagonal to perpendicular to improve organization.

The motion to approve the minor modification carried unanimously. The commission attached the three conditions (crosswalk, parking layout, masonry dumpster enclosure) and requested those submittals be reviewed by staff; if there are unresolved issues, the matter may return to the commission.

The commission's approval allows the applicant to move forward with required civil and building permits, subject to the conditions recorded at the meeting.