Stratford ARB forwards detailed design recommendations for 577 Hawley Lane restaurant to zoning commission

The Town of Stratford Architectural Review Board on June 13 reviewed a modification to its prior approval for a restaurant at 577 Hawley Lane and unanimously voted to forward a package of design recommendations to the zoning commission.

Attorney Barry Knott, representing Par 1 Development Company LLC, told the board that the project’s original approvals dated to 2018 and that a 2020 re‑approval required compliance with ARB stipulations. Knott apologized for a file miscommunication that he said prevented his client from receiving the 02/2020 approval letter with ARB stipulations and described which conditions had been met and which remained outstanding. "I want to apologize to all of you for requiring you to come out on this lovely summer night for this one particular hearing," Knott said during his presentation.

The applicant, identified in the record as Jim Fitzpatrick, explained that a field change in the course of construction reoriented the building so that the kitchen now faces Hawley Lane and patrons face the wetland/patio side. Fitzpatrick said the change was deliberate to avoid diners directly facing high‑speed traffic and to capture the wetland view, and described ongoing landscaping, lighting and a clock that he said are on order.

Chair Jamie Miller framed the practical problem for the ARB: the board is advisory, but allowing as‑built departures without scrutiny could create an undesirable precedent. "It's a very dangerous precedent," Miller said, urging the commissioners to focus on recommendations that the zoning commission could adopt as conditions.

After a round of design critique from commissioners — including Tom Sharkwitz, John Zabel, Steve Law and Shannon Holban — the board synthesized specific recommendations. Key items the ARB agreed to forward include: enhancing the west (Hawley Lane) elevation fenestration to carry the top two lights of the patio windows into a gang of four windows on the west elevation; adding evergreen and flowering plantings to soften the west facade; requiring a high‑quality, premium materials sign at the south (entrance) elevation (the board expressed support for a larger sign to better fit the entrance facade); visual screening or painting of utility boxes on the east elevation; alignment of window head heights on the east elevation (except the entry window); adding panels and soffit lighting to cupola faces that do not host the clock; and screening rooftop mechanical units as practical.

Commissioners debated how prescriptive to be on certain items (for example, color choices and the precise sign area). Planner and a member of the board advised that clearer, more specific recommendations would make enforcement and zoning review more straightforward. The board discussed that the south elevation sign may be larger than the typical town allowance and said it would support a variance if zoning finds it necessary to better fit the entrance facade.

The ARB read the recommendation package into the record and Commissioner Tom Sharkwitz made the motion to forward the comments to the zoning commission. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The board also approved the meeting minutes at the start of the session and adjourned at the end of the evening.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (05/09/2024): motion made, seconded; approved unanimously. - Motion to forward ARB recommendations for 577 Hawley Lane to the zoning commission: motion by Commissioner Tom Sharkwitz; seconded; carried unanimously. - Motion to adjourn: motion made and seconded; carried unanimously.

What comes next The board will forward its recommendations to the zoning commission for consideration at their next review of the applicant’s special case/site plan materials (the applicant noted a pending zoning appearance on July 26). The ARB’s recommendations are advisory; the zoning commission will determine whether and which recommendations become formal conditions of approval.