Lights on athletic fields were not the only topic on last night’s Planning & Zoning Commission agenda. Members also addressed a text amendment regarding small businesses like Old Mill Grocery & Deli.
“06880” reporter John H. Palmer writes:
If the owners of Old Mill Grocery & Deli get their way, a new development zone
will allow them to sell and serve alcohol next summer.
Last night the Planning & Zoning Commission held a public hearing on proposed zoning changes that would not only allow liquor sales and consumption at the former Romanacci’s, but would give the P&Z stronger governing power over similar establishments in otherwise residential neighborhoods.
Attorney Eric Bernheim, representing Soundview Empowerment Alliance, the nonprofit that owns the 107-year-old property at 222 Hillspoint Road near Old Mill Beach, outlined a proposal for Text Amendment #875 that would establish a new Food and Beverage Planned Development District (PDD) in Westport.
It would permit outdoor eating areas within 25 feet of a principal building, and allow sale of liquor for on-site consumption.
At the same time, a map amendment proposal would rezone the grocery property from its current Residential Zone B to the new PDD.
Old Mill Grocery & Deli has been a neighborhood staple since 1919.
“It makes sense for Westport, and hopefully we’ll have longevity instead of change every 2 or 3 years as the operators get worn down,” Bernheim said.
The operators for the last 3 years — Romanacci’s, owned by Graziano and Maurizio Ricci — announced in September that they would not renew their lease. A new operator has not yet been named.
The decision to close came on the heels of a legal battle questioning the commission’s November 2024 effort to allow alcohol sales at the store.
In February a Superior Court judge overturned Text Amendments 846, and earlier version 843, which allowed the sale of alcohol, as well as consumption at outdoor tables.
A group of neighbors filed lawsuits challenging the text amendments, raising questions about parking, traffic, noise and pedestrian safety in the neighborhood.
The judge concluded that the zoning changes amounted to “spot zoning,” and improperly expanded a non-conforming commercial use in a residential zone.
Old Mill Grocery’s communal table was a community gathering place.
“This is exactly what the doctor, or in this case the judge, ordered,” said chair Paul Lebowitz, who called the new text amendment very supportable. “This is exactly what is needed to save a jewel of Westport.”
Representative Town Meeting member Jimmy Izzo was one of 2 members of the public speaking in favor of the proposed zoning change.
“There were no issues at the Old Mill Deli, and I’m in favor of keeping this here,” he said. “The community really loves it, and it’s a not a crazy place.”
In opposition, attorney Joel Green, representing the Old Mill Preservation Group, cautioned that the zoning change could be a tool that could be used to turn any existing property into a non- conforming use that violates the town’s plan of conservation and development, including introducing bars and other establishments selling alcohol to quiet residential areas.
“What are you doing here, dropping businesses into residential areas?” he asked.
“I can’t imagine the residents of Westport understand the Pandora’s box of legislation that is being opened. It will not pass judicial scrutiny.”
The issue was tabled, to be revisited by the commission in November.
The original market.
(“06880” first reported on the Old Mill Grocery/Joey’s/Elvira story in 2009. We also cover Westport’s history, like the century-old building. We did it all with reader support. Click here — thanks!)
The idea of a F&B Planned Development District for Westport is a terrible idea, it would result in “scope creep” beyond Old Mill to other parts of town. Moreover, if the owners of Old Mill think they need the sale alcohol to survive, they are barking up the wrong tree. Stop being myopic and look around town. New retail foodservice concepts are continually opening and surviving, and many don’t serve alcohol. A new concept that meets the attitudes and behaviors of Westporters will survive, no matter its location.
Pretty cool. Maybe OMG could be the new Krazy Vin’s.