New London — The Planning and Zoning Commission will continue deliberations next month on proposed changes to zoning regulations that could impact access to Harbor Light.

An emotionally charged public hearing on the issue, which spanned two meetings and lasted about six hours, closed Thursday.

The New London Maritime Society, owner of three lighthouses, has asked the commission to amend zoning regulations and allow, with a special permit, “events and tours for historic preservation” at certain historic properties located in residential zones.

The focus for the maritime society is regaining public access to Harbor Light off Pequot Avenue, where the city issued a cease-and-desist order last summer because of the increase in activity.

After losing an appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals, the society filed suit in New London Superior Court.

The maritime society’s proposal, which includes requested modifications to parking and sign regulations, would apply to not only the lighthouse but all other similarly situated historic structures.

Proponents of the change, many of whom sent similarly worded letters of support to the commission, argue that historic structures such as Harbor Light need to not only be preserved, but should be open to the public as “tangible, living embodiments of New London’s heritage.”

“Heritage tourism can be an attractive economic revitalization strategy, especially as studies have consistently shown that heritage travelers stay longer and spend more money than other kinds of travelers,” New London Main Street Executive Director Annah Perch wrote.

Opponents, especially those living near the lighthouse, decried the proposal as spot zoning and argued that the regulations essentially would allow a commercial operation in the middle of a residential neighborhood.

Pequot Avenue homeowner Randy Waesche, who has a pending federal suit against the maritime society and has been at odds with the society over activity at Harbor Light, called the proposal overly broad and unmanageable.

He said the proposed changes would cause parking problems, destroy property values and create a logistical nightmare for zoning officials trying to manage what could become a host of requests from owners of historic properties.

Maritime Society attorney John Casey made the case that the proposal, because of the special permit requirement, allows leeway for city land-use officials to determine things such as hours of operations, number of tours or events and the size of visiting groups.

Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Barry Levine, during the public hearing, said a critical feature of any proposal is that it should be enforceable.

He asked whether other municipalities had approved similar measures.

He also noted that proposals asking for special uses in residential zones typically take care to mitigate impact on neighbors.

The maritime society’s proposal asks for approval of things such as tandem parking, which Levine said appeared to do the opposite.

The commission is expected to resume deliberations on the request at a May 19 meeting.

g.smith@theday.com