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Votes at a glance: Council advances cannabis zoning, adopts fence and zoning code changes, approves equipment rentals and utility work
Summary
At its Sept. 2 meeting the West Warwick Town Council approved amendments or advanced readings on four zoning ordinances, approved several municipal contracts and licenses and authorized equipment spending; the council also set dates for the school bond referendum.
The West Warwick Town Council on Sept. 2 moved several zoning measures forward and approved a series of municipal contracts and licenses.
The council voted on or advanced the following items (summary of motions and outcomes recorded on the meeting record):
• Ordinance 2025-6 (first reading, amended): Council moved to amend section 5.1 (table of use regulations) and section 5.3 (special use permits) to remove most local distance restrictions for cannabis retail sales and retain only the state-mandated 500-foot restriction from educational institutions. The amendment was approved and the ordinance was advanced for further consideration.
• Ordinance 2025-7 (second reading): The council approved amendments to the town code fence standards to allow up to 8-foot fences in residential zones and up to 10-foot fences in commercial zones, with requests above those limits subject to the zoning board/variance process. The measure passed on the second reading.
• Ordinance 2025-8 (second reading, amended): The council approved changes to Article 2 (use table) and section 5.4 (dimensional standards) that revised permitted uses and dimensional setbacks; the council amended Appendix B to align the CI (Commercial/Industrial) zone dimensional setbacks with the BP (Business Park) zone as discussed and approved the measure on second reading.
• Ordinance 2025-9 (first reading): The council approved a first reading to incorporate recent state statutory zoning changes into the town zoning code; the ordinance was advanced for formal adoption so the code aligns with state law.
• Raffle license: The council approved a raffle license request from a local church (business licenses agenda item).
• Police cruiser upfitting: The council authorized acceptance of a quote from Adland Tech Services to outfit a 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe pursuit vehicle, amount $32,161.90, to be funded from police vehicle reserve funds; the request was approved.
• DPW truck rentals (resolution): The council authorized the Department of Public Works to enter into a rental contract for two large trucks (described in the meeting as needed to supplement the winter fleet), amount $49,680. The resolution passed. The DPW indicated an anticipated delivery date about Dec. 1 and a planned return in late winter/early spring (dates in the staff presentation varied between a March and an early-April return).
• Utility pole work: The council approved requests from American Electric and Verizon New England for pole installation on Maid Marian Lane and pole relocation on Greenbush Avenue and Nottingham Drive. Councilors discussed requiring contractors to restore sidewalks, road surfaces and other disturbed property; staff said terms and conditions would be reinforced with the vendor.
Votes were recorded on the meeting audio and roll-call; the meeting record shows affirmative votes for the above items and the chair declared the measures approved or advanced as stated.
Ending: The council also reviewed upcoming municipal dates including the school bond referendum on Oct. 8 and an early voting period beginning Sept. 18.
