It was standing room only at the Victorian Cafe in Onset Monday as citizens gathered with town officials in hopes of separating fact from fiction on the future of the Harborview Inn, located at 13 South Boulevard. The new lessors of the property say they plan to use it as a retreat for affluent recovering alcohol and drug addicts.

Since renovations began at the building earlier this year, it's been rumored that the property would become a halfway house. New renters John Coughlin and his father Steven Coughlin told the crowd that the inn will be managed by Hopewell Recovery LLC. It will not be associated with Gianna’s House, a Wareham-based nonprofit founded by John Coughlin, which operates a chain of "sober living" houses in the South Coast area.

Hopewell Recovery operates several sober-living houses in Massachusetts and Florida. According to its website, residents must complete a medical detoxification and should have a psychological and medical evaluations prior to move-in.

“[The inn] is not going to be a medical facility or a halfway house,” Steven said. “It will remain an inn." Noting that the inn used to be home to substance abusers and drug dealers, he said: "The only difference is drug addicts won’t be staying there.”

Residents voiced concerns that the inn will diminish property values in the area and deter tourists from visiting Onset Beach.

“This isn’t the place,” said Ed Laffey, who has lived on South Boulevard since 1971. “Families are not going to bring their kids to this beach.”

The property is presently under interior renovations and updates, none of which require special permitting, according to Director of Inspectional Services Myles Burke.

Burke said that his office hasn’t received a change of use application from the renters, however.

Steven said the facility would not need to apply for a change of use since it will still operate as an inn.

“Mr. Coughlin and I have a different definition of an inn,” said Town Administrator Mark Andrews, adding that he is going to seek advice from the town’s lawyers on the matter.

Andrews said Inspectional Services will deny any permit applicant the owners submit. He said by doing so, the matter can be addressed at a public forum before the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Steven argued that the rehabbed inn will benefit the community. He pointed out that the property has a long history of criminal activity.

As Constable, Steven said he assisted property owner Antonio Gomes in removing non-paying residents and known drug users and dealers from the property.

Wareham Police Lt. Kevin Walsh added that the amount of criminal activity at the inn resulted in 15 arrests in 2010 alone.

The inn will cater to doctors, lawyers, and other wealthy former drug and alcohol users who have already been through treatment and are seeking a safe, stable environment to begin a sober life. John said the inn’s price point would ensure only affluent customers can afford a room, adding that rates will not be covered by health insurance.

“I don’t think anyone [other than the target clientele] can afford it,” he said, adding that potential guests could stay at the Ritz Carlton for what the inn will charge.

Steven and John said they hope to attract these types of clients by offering such amenities as an on-site chef and waterfront views. There are 13 rooms available and, according to Steven, no more than 13 guests will staying at any given time. Guests can stay as long as they want.

Each guest would be required to sign a contract prohibiting them from bringing drugs and alcohol onto the premises. Guests will be allowed to come and go as they please, but if they return intoxicated, police will be notified immediately, Steven said.

That was little consolation for residents.

“It’s a burden on the community,” said Cheryl Johnson, a resident of Prospect Avenue whose home is adjacent to the inn. “I’m going to have to constantly look out my window... and [if something happens] the police will have to be called.”

Asked if the owners would reconsider opening the inn up to tourists, instead of recovering addicts, Steven stated: We have our business plan and we are sticking with our business plan.”

Steven said they hope to have the inn open for business by the summer. He added the facility will not advertise its services.