I honestly still cannot believe it but they actually dropped the proposal for the villas and the hotels so the zoning stays exactly how it should be which is wild. It feels like we spent forever staring at maps and zoning codes while just hoping someone in town hall would …
October 6, 2022
Final supporters
We the undersigned are a group of concerned citizens and residents of the Town of Westerly. We are coordinating our efforts to express concerns over proposed changes to the Town of Westerly Zoning Ordinance, specifically, the proposed amendments to § 260-73 - Golf Courses. The proposed amendments represent a considerable expansion of accessory uses by allowing: “Golf Villas”, “Guest Cottages”, “Lodging”, “Workforce Housing” and “Limited Hotel Suites”. The undersigned are of the position that such an expansion of uses is grossly inconsistent with the goals and aspirations of the Comprehensive Community Plan, Future Land Use Map and Commercial Recreation (CR) zoning district.
Golf Courses are situated in the Commercial Recreation zoning district, specifically designed to preserve commercial/recreational facilities with “limitations on future expansion.” [Art. III, § 260-13(d)(2)]. The proposed amendments fail to adequately protect and address long-term preservation of open space and recreational uses that are wholly dependent upon the financial viability of golf courses as a principal use.
In order to protect and preserve the interests of the community as well as protect those directly impacted by the proposed amendments, the Town must consider additional safeguards such as conservation restrictions, open space requirements and development guidelines in order to adequately protect our most precious resource of undeveloped land.
Westerly must protect our open space
Updates
September 16, 2022
I just blinked and saw the counter hit one thousand signatures which feels absolutely surreal given that I was just worried about how to print the first few copies of this thing. It is so strange to think that this many people actually care about these zoning amendments as much as I do though I really should not be surprised because who wants to see our open space turned into lodging units anyway.
Reached 1,000 supporters
September 13, 2022
May 4, 2022
I spent all morning reading through the zoning codes again because these hotel suite proposals just do not sit right with me and honestly my head is spinning from all the legal jargon. It feels like they think we aren't paying attention to how these villas will eat up all the open space we have left but the quiet around here is starting to feel suspicious now that people are finally asking questions.
Reached 100 supporters
October 1, 2020
452 Comments
As a Westerly home-owner in an already highly developed neighborhood, I fear the loss of remaining open space that will impact local wildlife, increase already heavy seasonal traffic, and greatly reduce recreational land use by current residents and seasonal visitors.
Shore Road has already become an increasingly dangerous road with daily numerous violations of motor vehicle speed limits. Pedestrians will be in grave danger with the increased volume of traffic created by this proposal.
As a former EPA officer in Water Enforcement, I am very concerned about the effects of this on ground water. And very concerned about the runoff which would naturally happen because of construction and subsequent landscaping maintenance.
The negative impacts, including pressure on the existing infrastructure, services, and reduced environmental amenity... will effect the entire town. The changes should have been put before the voters not left up to a handful individuals.
The Winnapaug golf course should remain as it has been for 98 years, intact as an 18 hole golf course, and a cherished Westerly asset! Do not enrich the Few at the expense of the Many the Westerly Residents that enjoy this precious recreational facility and open green space!
Prefer we have a golf course and avoid over commercializing our town. route 1 is busy enipigh
More development in this area will adversely effect the lives of the current Westerly residents, traffic, noise,and overall privacy for residents.
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I honestly still cannot believe it but they actually dropped the proposal for the villas and the hotels so the zoning stays exactly how it should be which is wild. It feels like we spent forever staring at maps and zoning codes while just hoping someone in town hall would …
October 6, 2022
Final supporters
We the undersigned are a group of concerned citizens and residents of the Town of Westerly. We are coordinating our efforts to express concerns over proposed changes to the Town of Westerly Zoning Ordinance, specifically, the proposed amendments to § 260-73 - Golf Courses. The proposed amendments represent a considerable expansion of accessory uses by allowing: “Golf Villas”, “Guest Cottages”, “Lodging”, “Workforce Housing” and “Limited Hotel Suites”. The undersigned are of the position that such an expansion of uses is grossly inconsistent with the goals and aspirations of the Comprehensive Community Plan, Future Land Use Map and Commercial Recreation (CR) zoning district.
Golf Courses are situated in the Commercial Recreation zoning district, specifically designed to preserve commercial/recreational facilities with “limitations on future expansion.” [Art. III, § 260-13(d)(2)]. The proposed amendments fail to adequately protect and address long-term preservation of open space and recreational uses that are wholly dependent upon the financial viability of golf courses as a principal use.
In order to protect and preserve the interests of the community as well as protect those directly impacted by the proposed amendments, the Town must consider additional safeguards such as conservation restrictions, open space requirements and development guidelines in order to adequately protect our most precious resource of undeveloped land.
Westerly must protect our open space
Updates
September 16, 2022
I just blinked and saw the counter hit one thousand signatures which feels absolutely surreal given that I was just worried about how to print the first few copies of this thing. It is so strange to think that this many people actually care about these zoning amendments as much as I do though I really should not be surprised because who wants to see our open space turned into lodging units anyway.
Reached 1,000 supporters
September 13, 2022
May 4, 2022
I spent all morning reading through the zoning codes again because these hotel suite proposals just do not sit right with me and honestly my head is spinning from all the legal jargon. It feels like they think we aren't paying attention to how these villas will eat up all the open space we have left but the quiet around here is starting to feel suspicious now that people are finally asking questions.
Reached 100 supporters
October 1, 2020
452 Comments
I have owned a home on Rock Ride/Ocean Ridge for 20+ yrs. It is typically a quiet residential neighborhood. The proposed development will shatter this with more than doubling the traffic and noise. This must not be allowed.
As a Westerly home-owner in an already highly developed neighborhood, I fear the loss of remaining open space that will impact local wildlife, increase already heavy seasonal traffic, and greatly reduce recreational land use by current residents and seasonal visitors.
Shore Road has already become an increasingly dangerous road with daily numerous violations of motor vehicle speed limits. Pedestrians will be in grave danger with the increased volume of traffic created by this proposal.
As a former EPA officer in Water Enforcement, I am very concerned about the effects of this on ground water. And very concerned about the runoff which would naturally happen because of construction and subsequent landscaping maintenance.
The negative impacts, including pressure on the existing infrastructure, services, and reduced environmental amenity... will effect the entire town. The changes should have been put before the voters not left up to a handful individuals.
The Winnapaug golf course should remain as it has been for 98 years, intact as an 18 hole golf course, and a cherished Westerly asset! Do not enrich the Few at the expense of the Many the Westerly Residents that enjoy this precious recreational facility and open green space!
Prefer we have a golf course and avoid over commercializing our town. route 1 is busy enipigh
More development in this area will adversely effect the lives of the current Westerly residents, traffic, noise,and overall privacy for residents.
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I have owned a home on Rock Ride/Ocean Ridge for 20+ yrs. It is typically a quiet residential neighborhood. The proposed development will shatter this with more than doubling the traffic and noise. This must not be allowed.