Should half of the parking spaces at Little Compton’s Town Landing be set aside for locals only? The town is waiting to hear back from the state on whether such a plan is even possible.

Town officials are waiting to hear from the state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) before they respond to a recent request from local residents to permanently set aside half of the 24 parking spaces at the landing for Little Compton residents only.

Residents petitioned councilors for the change in September, saying the popular recreational area is often jammed to overflow by out-of-state vehicles. The situation reached a tipping point when heavy seas caused by various storms in recent months drew larger-than-usual numbers of observers, adventure seekers and surfers to the site.

DEM’s involvement is needed, say town officials, because a state grant issued in 2020 to help fund major improvements at landing, including an upgraded parking area, likely has strings attached that would prevent the town from closing off half the spaces to town residents only.

At the Oct. 19 town council meeting, Town Solicitor Tony DeSisto said that after he presented background information on the request to DEM representatives, he learned from them that state regulations may allow such parking restrictions when they are considered necessary for “the maintenance or preservation of property.”

Some who attended the recent council meeting described the petitioners’ proposal as too harsh a measure for what they described as an infrequent problem, and they said if enacted, it would further restrict access to the shoreline and recreational spaces.

“When we are talking about restricting access, is this for the betterment of a selected group or for everybody who is involved?” resident Grace Knight asked.  “I worry that if we push further restrictions ... it will further limit the younger community in our search for adventure and our enjoyment of outdoor spaces.”

An audience member who said he supported the proposal responded by saying it was not the petitioners’ intention to restrict access to the land or the shoreline.

“People are being shut out and have resorted to going elsewhere because of how much a mess the parking situation has become.”

Next up, town administrator Tony Teixeira and police chief Scott Raynes will contact DEM to determine what grant-related constraints exist, so councilors can then determine the appropriate response to the request.