Little Compton Town Council members are considering a town code amendment that, if approved, will create a permit-only parking system giving commercial fishermen and their deckhands almost exclusive use of the town parking lot at Sakonnet Harbor.

The potential change has been recommended by the Harbor Commission, whose chair, Ben Gauthier, recently described to councilors the “overwhelming pressure” on parking caused by day visitors since the pandemic.

Gauthier referenced a written statement from the Harbor Commission that detailed the challenges caused by overcrowding.

“The harbor streets and parking lots are beyond capacity on sunny weekdays and all weekends under this increased demand,” commissioners wrote. As a result, licensed commercial fishermen have nowhere to park on many days and “have to seek relief from local landowners in order to pursue their livelihood.”

The commissioners described specific areas where signs are either being ignored by visitors or removed by unknown individuals. They also cited safety concerns, noting that visitors are parking in areas designated for emergency vehicles.   

The Harbor Commission’s recommendations include:

• Issuing "hang tag" parking permits to commercial fishing boat captains for themselves and their deckhands.

• The fishing fleet and the public are to be notified once parking permits are required, to avoid being ticketed in the town lot.

• Public access to the town dock would be preserved and signage should be restored for the temporary loading zone and staging area along the northwest corner of the lot.

Commissioners also asked the council to repaint a no-parking turning circle at the end of Bluff Head Avenue, restore parking guardrails at the east edge of the town lot as well as in the harbor beach parking areas, restore no parking signs that are missing, and for improved safety, maintain brush in certain areas as part of the mowing detail.

If ultimately approved, the amendment would allow certain exceptions for service people who need short-term parking in the area.

Once the police chief gives his okay and council members approve the draft policy, a public hearing will be scheduled prior to final approval.