Asterisk Outdoor Expansion Approved, Resident Expresses Concerns

Asterisk Restaurant, located at 599 Thames St., gained approval Wednesday from Newport City Council to expand 110 square feet of the restaurant's outdoor area.

Attorney Turner Scott said the proposed space would be used solely for a prep area, a lobster tank or to service customers.  He stressed there will not be an increase in seating or hours of operation.  

Resident Chuck Bolduc of Dixon Street said he is disappointed with the decision.

“I believe the Council has sent a clear message to our neighborhoods that business is better to have than stable owner-residents, especially in abutting the limited business district,” he said after the vote.

Councilor Marco Camacho said he is empathetic to residents who do not want to see the bar crowd of downtown Newport encroach on the 5th Ward neighborhood.

“I had to begrudgingly vote yes,” Camacho told Patch after the vote.  “What I want to do as a citizen is vote no.”  He added the city could be in violation of state law if they denied the request without justification.  

Speaking in front of the Council, Bolduc said he is concerned the request is part of incremental growth to expand hours and size.

“The limited business district is designed to protect residents from businesses with a higher intensity of use than would be found in the more commercially oriented areas of the general and waterfront zones,” said Bolduc.

Councilor Michael Farley made a motion to approve the request, on the condition a crumbling wall is repaired.  

The request was approved 6-1, with councilor Kate Leonard opposed. Leonard stated the wall should be repaired before the request is approved.