Milford commission agrees to amend Scottie's operating agreement; will require two on-site spots and move grease dumpster

During its April 9, 2025 meeting, the Milford City Planning & Zoning Commission discussed amendments to the operating agreement for Scottie's Diner, focusing on sidewalk obstructions, on-site parking and the placement of a grease dumpster.

Commission members agreed to remove a previously required bollard condition from the agreement after staff reported the bollards had been removed and that a commissioner did not see a reason to require them to be replaced. Members directed staff to revise the agreement to require two on-site parking spaces for Scottie's; commissioners noted that one of the three originally designated spaces had been taken by a Connex shipping container and that a second space may not be available until the Connex is removed. The commission also directed staff to require the restaurant’s grease dumpster be moved off the sidewalk to a location adjacent to the Connex or the side of the building so it no longer blocks pedestrian access, which a commissioner said is against city code.

Staff said it would draft the proposed language and return with the amendment for the commission’s approval next month. The transcript records an agreement to bring the amended agreement back for signatures from Les Whitney and Melissa (the business owner). No formal vote was taken on the substance; the commission gave direction to staff and reached informal consensus on the items to be included in the revised agreement.

Commission discussion included these practical considerations: the Connex currently reduces the on-site parking to roughly one small vehicle, the nail business in the building continues to occupy one of the original three reserved spaces, and employees account for much of the on- and curb-side parking in the area. Commissioners emphasized the downtown area’s limited street parking and expressed a desire to preserve some on-site spaces to reduce curb congestion.