KENNEBUNKPORT – A local restaurant will not host outdoor dining this season in the municipal parking lot behind the business in Dock Square.

Hurricane restaurant in Kennebunkport sought permission to continue to offer outdoor dining in a portion of the municipal lot near Dock Square. The request was voted down by selectmen. Dan King photo

That was the decision of selectmen Feb. 10, in response to a request by Hurricane owner Taylor Benenti.

Benenti told the board he wanted to use the two spaces directly behind the restaurant and that he was willing to rent them so the town would not lose parking revenue. The space is smaller than what he used the past two seasons, and he would not use a tent, he told the board.

In a letter to the town, Benenti said he has gotten overwhelming responses from people who have enjoyed being able to dine in the outdoor space the past two seasons. He said the selectmen’s board has been more than generous to allow the use of the space in the past.

“I believe there is still a large part of the population uncomfortable with indoor dining,” he wrote to the board.

The plan had the backing of board chair Sheila Matthews-Bull.

“I think the outdoor season has been a plus, not only for tourists, but residents as well,” said Matthews-Bull. “(It is) a wonderful spot to go to. It’s attractive. think it’s a good idea.”

Others on the board had a different view.

“When Taylor bought (the restaurant), it didn’t have outside dining, and he knew what the game was,” said selectman Mike Weston. “We made it clear it was only for COVID, and we had a debate last year whether to extend it. Hurricane is one of my favorite restaurants. If we do this, we’ve got Alissons, the Kennebunkport Inn and others who have just the same right to leasing parking spots, and our parking lot is very limited. I think we shouldn’t be setting a precedent of leasing public property when everyone doesn’t have the same chance.”

“I agree,” said selectman Allen Daggett. “We have such a small parking area.” He said if space was allotted to accommodate dining, the board would have to find additional handicapped parking spaces. “You have a great restaurant, and we are proud to have you here,” Daggett told Benenti.

Selectman Patrick Briggs said the town was trying to get back to normal. “We bent over backwards willingly, during the pandemic,” to aid local businesses, he said.

“I think the pandemic is trying to wind down,” though COVID may be around for a long time, said selectman Ed Hutchins. “We do need to get back to our sense of normalcy.”

Benenti said he understood that desire. But he said prices in the restaurant industry have skyrocketed.

“In 2021 we had $220,000 more in expenses than in 2019, for less of a gross profit,” said Benenti.

“But that’s business,” said Hutchins. “This is happening to all the restaurants in town.”

The vote to deny the request was 4-1, with Matthews-Bull dissenting.