Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Westerly council adopts ordinance to create permanent housing committee after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing and public comments from housing advocates, the Westerly Town Council voted 6–1 to adopt an ordinance creating a five-member permanent housing committee to study and support housing initiatives in town.
The Westerly Town Council on April 7 adopted an ordinance to establish a permanent housing committee, voting 6–1 after a public hearing and public comment in favor.
Advocates and councilors framed the measure as a tool to coordinate housing policy and to build a pipeline of affordable housing opportunities. Colin Penny, executive director of South County Habitat for Humanity, urged the council to move forward, saying the committee would “create a pipeline of affordable housing” and help the town access options such as transfer-tax revenue, short-term-rental taxes and federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Penny also said local housing prices are out of reach for many: “to afford the median sale price of a house, you have to be making almost $165,000 a year.”
Council discussion focused on membership and conflicts of interest. Councilor Lupietro, who said he served as a liaison to an earlier ad hoc housing group, cautioned that the permanent committee must represent diverse viewpoints. “We have to have a diverse group of people. When we choose five people, they all can't be of the same mind,” he said, adding that past ad hoc efforts suffered from a chair with a “major conflict of interest.” Councilor Healy thanked residents who wrote to the council and attended the hearing.
During the hearing the council received two letters in favor of the ordinance from Martha Warren and Karen Lentz Madison. After public comment, Councilor Iello moved to close the hearing and adopt the ordinance; the motion was seconded by Councilor Healy. The ordinance passed 6–1; one councilor voted in opposition. No amendments were recorded on the council floor.
The ordinance creates a five-member committee charged with tracking housing issues, advising the planning board and recommending opportunities to encourage housing development and affordability. The council did not specify permanent sources of funding for the committee in its ordinance language during the meeting.
