This isn’t just about a restaurant being allowed in a residential zone. They can change the zoning and nobody has a direct say in it.”

Natalie Eliason

Members of the Little Compton Planning Board unanimously ruled last Tuesday that a proposed new zoning district does not align with Little Compton’s Comprehensive Plan, one week before the town council is expected to hold a public hearing and vote on the matter.

The decision on the town’s proposed Agricultural Overlay District, which was drafted earlier this summer at the town council’s request, will be considered at a council hearing on the matter scheduled for this Thursday. As written, the amendment would currently benefit only Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard, which currently sits on residentially-zoned land but hopes to expand its alcoholic menu with a Class B Victualing license.

The proposed new zoning district’s purpose, council members said, is to encourage farming and agricultural operations by allowing existing farms that serve food to also provide alcoholic beverages for sale with proper licensing. It was drafted after the vineyard requested, and was denied for, an expansion of its liquor license several months ago — the second such rejection in two years. But while rejecting the vineyard’s request, council members directed town solicitor Anthony DeSisto to draft the zoning amendment as a means to accommodate the vineyard and potentially, other farmers in town.

This week, Brian and Natalie Eliason, neighbors of the vineyard, said that while they believe the planning board’s decision last week was sound, residents should attend Thursday’s public hearing before the town council.

“This issue is way more complicated than it seems,” Natalie Eliason said. “If they passed this new Agricultural Overlay District, [Sakonnet Vineyard] doesn’t have to apply ever again for a liquor license — it would give them the ability to sell liquor by right. But our main concern is that, if approved, the district sets a precedent. People who buy property in Little Compton or have lived here their whole lives in a residential zone can get that taken away by one vote at the town council ... this isn’t just about a restaurant being allowed in a residential zone. They can change the zoning and nobody has a direct say in it.”

She also said there are fears that tampering with residential zones could lead to unwanted situations for residents that may stem from serving alcohol, excessive noise, and parking.

Board members appeared to agree  on that point last week. Besides a unanimous denial of the proposal, members recommended that the council go back to the drawing board and rewrite the amendment to include more than one farm in its language.

“This big vote is going to happen that can change our town forever,” Eliason said. “I don’t think most people understand that they have a say and that they should be going to this meeting.”