Selectmen approve temporary lease to let Harborview owner expand outdoor seating amid COVID concerns

Stonington selectmen unanimously approved a limited lease allowing the new Harborview Restaurant owner to use the front area in front of the restaurant deck as outdoor seating if public-health conditions require it.

Town Manager Billings said the Harbor View special-amusement application was complete and that the application had been published with no public comments. Gail Stinson told the board she hoped to continue using the deck but wanted town permission to lease the adjacent front space later if rising COVID case counts forced additional outdoor seating.

Selectman John Steed moved to approve the lease space; Selectman John Robbins seconded the motion, and the board voted 4–0 to approve. Board members discussed the option of authorizing the space for discrete seasonal periods (board members discussed June through September as one possible window) and emphasized that the town would set lease terms and any necessary time limits.

The approval is administrative: it allows the town manager to finalize lease details consistent with the motion and the board’s guidance. The board did not adopt a permanent expansion of restaurant footprint or change zoning; any longer-term change would require formal lease language, review and, where applicable, additional approvals.

Next steps: the Town Manager will finalize lease paperwork and return any required documentation to the board for signature or ratification.