LITTLE COMPTON — Expect debate Thursday when the Stone House seeks Town Council approval of its application for an entertainment license and other business licenses at 7 p.m. in Town Hall.

The new management of the Stone House is launching a new business model for the structure, one that focuses on weddings and other parties and events and relies on use of a large tent to handle crowds.

"The council has the authority to grant or not grant a license, on any basis," at the evening’s public hearing, said Town Council President Robert Mushen.

The evening's hearing is expected to be well-attended.

Also on Thursday's agenda is consideration of a possible entertainment license from Carolyn's Sakonnet Vineyard, but the matter is not likely to be heard..

"Because a complete application would need to include an endorsement from the Little Compton Agricultural Conservancy Trust (the "Ag Trust"), which it doesn't yet have, and because the Ag Trust has no upcoming scheduled meeting at this point, I expect no vote by the Council to

approve/disapprove. Rather, I see the Vineyard matter continuing to a subsequent meeting," said Town Council President Robert Mushen on Wednesday.

Stone House application

The Stone House license application, as revised Tuesday, March 22 (originally dated Feb. 16), states that it plans to offer entertainment "primarily weekends in season," a change from its original request to host them "Thursday through Sunday — but mostly just weekends."

It identifies the revised types of entertainment as "weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate events and private functions", a change from the "weddings, rehearsal dinners, brunches, and private parties" it origin ally proposed.

For these, the Stone House's revised proposal says it plans to install a "Savannah Tent" measuring 48 feet by 88 feet "to accommodate up to the 180 people," down from the 250 it originally proposed.

"What I'm seeking is guidance before we move forward," said Kevin Vendituouli, the Stone House lawyer (and Little Compton resident ) in comments before the Council on March 10 and prior to the revisions his group submitted.

"We don't want to be ostracized before we open our doors."

"We had anticipated tents outside," he told the council. The barn on the Stone House property was remodeled and couldn't accommodate large numbers of people, and "where that left us is we'd have to move outside."

"We're stuck in a bind. It's a six-figure expense," he said, with glass walls on an outdoor tent-type structure to baffle sound.

"We're trying to get the neighborhood behind it. It's not going to work unless everyone is happy with it," Mr. Vendituouli said.

To that end, Mr. Ventituouli and the Stone House hosted a gathering of 80-100 of its neighbors on Saturday, March 12, that he said resulted "in some productive back and forth. People were very supportive, though there were some criticisms."

The neighbors comment

A flood of letters to the Town Council has hit town hall.

Noting his concern that the license application seeks approval of "parties" to be held potentially any night of the week, Jim Fordyce of Little Compton wonders "what else in this application is not as it may seem, or what other issues of importance may be left unaddressed."

"Could you assist the new owners to think smaller numbers, fewer cars, reasonable hours and noise limits, smaller structure size (is their planned tent not too big for current zoning?), and build in respite from what could become a too-packed calendar," wrote Marjorie Waite.

Hilary Woodhouse wrote to "strongly urge" the council to approve an entertainment license "which restricts the use to no more than one event per week."

"We believe the Stone House Resort is requesting an entertainment license to conduct business that far exceeds the grandfathered use of the property, and is requesting expansion of the facility that far exceeds the permitted lot coverage," wrote Murray and Judith Danforth.

After two pages of detailed criticisms of the Stone House application, Lynne White asks the council to "Please do everything in your power to keep our community safe, and rural."

"We can't think of a worse business to have here than a wedding factory," wrote Neil and Meg Tardio.

Zoning official's view

A Jan. 29, 2016 "Zoning Certificate" from William L. Moore, the town's building official and zoning enforcement officer, states "... except for the past 18 months the property has been primarily open for 10-12 months a year with no restrictions on the amount of events. I will add that entertainment or music has been primarily held indoors historically."

In a March 4, 2016 e-mail to Stone House officials, Mr. Moore said the past legal non-conforming use "included a temporary tent" that had been used to accommodate functions, by which he said was meant a "temporary structure supported by poles, stakes, and line," that might be up for two to six days.

"Now you and your associates have been talking of a tent which is erected for 90-120 days of the year, " Mr. Moore wrote. "My concern has always been when and what makes a tent a permanent structure. Because at the Stone House property, no expansion of the non-conforming use is allowed, nor is the expansion of structure due to lot coverage and parking."

Mr. Moore said pavers or a concrete slab or a fixed deck would not be allowed. "Engineering, permanent floors, engineered glass panels, are all elements of a structure, not a tent, and that's where the problem is."

"Any change in size or expansion of structures will require a Use Variance from the Little Compton Zoning Board of Review."

The council's view

"We had the opportunity to tell the Stone House what was lacking" in their approach to this issue, Council President Robert Mushen said of the council meeting on March 10, and "primarily it was putting in a structure that will affect lot coverage. It is a direct expansion in a residential zone of the past non-conforming use. You can't do 'x' unless you've historically done it."

The tent proposed by the Stone House, he said, "significantly increases the footprint" and "the presence of such a structure invites its use."

Councilor Paul Golembeske agreed. "It's a very good possibility of an intensification of use," he said. "To me it keeps driving it back to the zoning board."

"A special use permit is the solution," said Michael Steere, leader of the planning board. Mr. Steere wondered out loud how many cars might be drawn to Stone House events that host 250 people. "Two hundred?" he asked. Mr. Vendituouli said there is parking for 94 cars.

"We have a large number of people concerned with the likelihood that once a structure is erected," Mr. Mushen said, "it becomes an attraction, and it precipitates cars, large numbers of people, and at a time when a lot of people are here" during the summer.

"They're tied up in the idea that the Stone House used to be this way, and now it will be that way," he said.

Mr. Vendituouli said there would be no concerts ("absolutely not"), that most Friday events would be inside, and that thus far 15 events are booked that include dinners for rehearsals.

Following the dialogue March 10 between town councilors and Mr. Vendituouli for the Stone House, the Council voted to ask Councilors Charles Appleton and Gary Mataronas "to review details" with regards to the Stone House application for an entertainment license, and for other business licenses (victualing, holiday sales, BV liquor license) it's seeking.