While the zoning ordinance is intended to support family farms, this sweeping zoning change will reshape our quiet community in many ways that go beyond any one property.  This is not an “elitist” issue. It will affect all Little Compton residents.

Because Little Compton does not distinguish farms from residential land under a unified district, rewriting laws hands a legal key to developers and any property owner with open acreage. The town will lose its legal standing to say “No,” allowing anyone with an open tract of land to become a permanent commercial venue.  The farm or open tract of land next door to you could potentially become the next commercial wedding venue. We only have to look at Middletown’s Sweet Berry Farm to see the corporate playbook: after it was sold to a private equity firm, developers tried to place a massive commercial venue on conserved land.

By law, our appointed Planning Board serves as the guardian of land-use compliance. The board voted UNANIMOUSLY to recommend total rejection of these amendments. The Planning Board recognized that a sweeping commercial entertainment ordinance does not conform to a rural area with limited infrastructure, treasures its natural resources and seeks to preserve neighborhoods from permanent nuisance which is what our town’s guiding document, the Comprehensive Plan states.

Many local farms sit on narrow, unlit backroads devoid of sidewalks or shoulders. On minor lanes like Shaw Road and South Shore Road, the asphalt drops to a fraction of standard width. Forcing large commercial supply rigs, catering trucks, and hundreds of hurried tourists onto these minor roads. 

Beyond traffic, this commercial creep threatens our quality of life. Amplified noise from large gatherings will shatter our quiet, nature-filled environment, and threaten our limited water resources, while huge event lighting erodes our dark skies. Our abundant wildlife will also suffer.

Our town is small and the strain on our resources will have to grow if this ordinance is passed.  Our police force is the same as in 2016 – 10 full time officers.  There will be necessary increases in staffing for zoning officials to approve these new permits and police and fire personnel to ensure safety and adherence. Taxes WILL go up. That is a given.

This is a town-wide crisis. Tell Town Council to reject this change in zoning. Farms can continue to have farm-and agriculture- related events on their properties however commercializing these locations embedded in residential neighborhoods into wedding and corporate event venues is not in keeping with the tranquil and lovely Little Compton we cherish.

Eileen Storz-Salino
Robert M. Salino

Little Compton