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Council approves Belcourt Castle special event permit after deed and precedent debate
Summary
Council approved a special-event license for Belcourt Castle (Bellecourt) despite concerns about precedent and a history of private events at the property; the zoning officer said Belcourt is a legal nonconforming museum and may hold public events after administrative review.
The council reviewed an application by Catherine B. Cushing (Newport Global Summit) to host a fundraising dinner at Belcourt Castle (Belcourt). Several councilors questioned whether allowing special events at the museum would set a precedent and whether deed restrictions existed that might bar events.
Nick Armour, the zoning officer, explained that Belcourt is considered a legal nonconforming museum and that special events have been permitted at preservation society properties in the past following review. Armour said the property has documentation showing museum use dating back decades and that one private wedding in the past prompted a review but did not change the property's legal nonconforming status.
An applicant representative, Kitty Cushing, emphasized the event's purpose as a small opening dinner (planned for about 80 attendees) and said the event supports museum programming; she also noted Newport Global Summit is a 501(c)(3) in formation. Several councilors asked for deed review and clarification; after debate the council voted to approve the special-event permit while some members asked staff to confirm deed restrictions for future cases.
