Stonington Planning Commission Approves Changes To Hotel Plans

STONINGTON, CT — Plans for a small hotel to be built in Mystic will move forward after gaining narrow approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission. The commission voted 3 to 2 at its March 4 meeting to approve a special permit and waivers for construction of a 5-room hotel at 32 Broadway.

The hotel will also have 15 parking spaces and a rooftop deck enclosed on three sides.

Sergio Cherenzia, of Cherenzia & Associates, went before the commission requesting what he said were minor changes to previously approved plans. This included building height adjustments, the replacement of a green wall with trees, and the location of propane tanks.

Cherenzia said the new landscaping plans were an improvement over the previously approved plans.

Some commission members expressed concerns about the changes, noting that due to the high water table at the site, the tree species the developer suggested wouldn't be able to grow. Conditions included in the commission's approval included working with a landscape architect on finding appropriate trees.

Commission member Lynn Conway was critical, calling the project "poorly managed" and ultimately voting against it.

Neighbors spoke out at the meeting on the location of propane tanks near neighboring properties.

The development of the property has been years in the making. In 2020, a developer sought to build a two-story restaurant at the site, which is the former home of Broadway Auto gas station.