Sennett's code enforcement officer has issued cease and desist orders to the owners of the Route 20 eatery that opened for ice cream last weekend without a town certificate of occupancy.
Paul Weiman Jr., along with town attorney Don Cheney, issued the orders in person Thursday afternoon that state Bonca's restaurant must stop operating until it has the proper certificate. The new restaurant has been battling with town officials for months over zoning issues.
After a court ruling earlier this spring backed up a town Zoning Board of Appeals decision that had allowed the project to move forward, Weiman last week issued a letter denying a certificate of occupancy that outlined a list of new issues. Despite the letter, Bonca's owners decided to open on Saturday for ice cream.
One of the Bonca's owners, Greg Rigby, said they have appealed Weiman's letter, which should clear the way for the matter to go before the ZBA. Rigby said a matter under appeal to the ZBA is automatically granted a stay under state law, so the restaurant plans to remain open despite the cease and desist order.
Weiman could not immediately be reached for comment.
For the complete story, see Friday's edition of The Citizen.
After a court ruling earlier this spring backed up a town Zoning Board of Appeals decision that had allowed the project to move forward, Weiman last week issued a letter denying a certificate of occupancy that outlined a list of new issues. Despite the letter, Bonca's owners decided to open on Saturday for ice cream.
One of the Bonca's owners, Greg Rigby, said they have appealed Weiman's letter, which should clear the way for the matter to go before the ZBA. Rigby said a matter under appeal to the ZBA is automatically granted a stay under state law, so the restaurant plans to remain open despite the cease and desist order.
Weiman could not immediately be reached for comment.
For the complete story, see Friday's edition of The Citizen.
