Seasonal Dining at Melting Pot Hinges on Selectmen

Plans for outside wining and dining at the Melting Pot are well underway, but when the restaurant came before the Planning & Zoning Commission on Tuesday for the final go-ahead, all came to a grinding halt—at least until for now.

"You've done a lot of good work on how it would look, but it does utilize some of the space that's in the so-called public plaza," said Vice Chair Joseph Spain. "It's not our call."

Spain said that part of that plaza, while cared for by landlord Penny Glassmeyer, is a town easement. Permission to go forward with the described plans, therefore, is up to the town. Planning & Zoning consequently passed the special pemit request along to the Board of Selectmen.

Similar issues regarding public property typically call for public hearings, but in this case, Chair Fred Conze said he doubted anyone would object to the plans for four tables and chairs.

"Let's not make a mountain out of a molehill here. Let's just send a recommendation to the selectmen referring to them for approval," said Conze.
   
Should the Board of Selectman approve the Melting Pot's request, Darien residents will soon see four wrought iron tables and 16 chairs, similar to those used by Espresso Neat café.

The Architectural Review Board has signed off on all the design details, including beige umbrellas and what looks like black theatre roping that will section off the dining area during business hours, per zoning requirements.

The Melting Pot's request will feature on a future agenda of the Board of Selectmen.