West Warwick Council denies amplified-music permit for Fusion Latin & Caribbean after residents raise noise concerns

The West Warwick Town Council on Tuesday denied a request from Fusion Latin & Caribbean Cuisine for an annual indoor/outdoor amplified-music permit and theatrical performance license after residents and council members raised concerns about noise, crowding and public-safety spillover into adjacent housing.

Council members and dozens of residents described frequent loud music from nearby establishments, repeated police calls to the area, open doors that let sound spill into adjacent residential units and the risk that amplified outdoor music would add to the existing disturbances. The applicant, listed on the agenda as Mr. Damato, was not present at the meeting; council members and neighbors said they wanted to hear his plan before granting a permanent, unaudited approval.

The request, noted on the agenda as item I1, sought authorization for indoor and outdoor amplified sound and for theatrical performances. Council Vice President Williamson and others questioned whether the application described the type of sound equipment, the expected hours of amplified music or measures to limit noise. Several council members said an indoor-only approval would be more appropriate if the restaurant planned occasional acoustic performances, but they expressed reluctance to approve outdoor amplification on an open, mixed-use plaza bordering the Remington Pond condominium complex.

Dozens of residents testified that existing businesses already create late-night noise and that they regularly call police to ask music be lowered. Joanna Brady, who lives above the plaza, said her bedroom is directly over the restaurant’s front and said, “I am concerned that those sliders will be open throughout the evening. I would be very concerned if those sliders are always open or being open and closed throughout the evening.” Mike, a resident who lives across the street, told the council he could no longer open windows at night because of loud music.

Several residents urged the council to enforce existing noise ordinances and to require doors remain closed if music is played indoors. Council members also pointed to a nearby business that already draws complaints when doors are propped open and said issuing the requested license without a clear plan would likely replicate current problems.

After public comment and council discussion, the council conducted a roll-call vote on the application. The roll call recorded several “no” votes and the chair noted the applicant “has the ability to reapply.” Council members also explained that if Mr. Damato reapplies he will be renotified and the matter will be heard again; the council indicated outdoor amplification as requested would not be approved in its present form.

The council suggested alternatives: approve only indoor acoustic music, grant a limited trial with strict hours and decibel conditions, or encourage the applicant to meet with nearby residents and the police chief to reach a compromise. Several council members also recommended the applicant present specifics about equipment, intended hours and noise-mitigation measures at a future meeting before any outdoor or amplified permission is granted.

The council did not adopt other conditions at Tuesday’s meeting. Because the applicant was not present, council members said a continued or renoticed hearing would be more equitable, and the council confirmed the applicant may reapply and will be renotified in that case.

Residents who spoke during the meeting included Joanna Brady and Brenna (last name not specified), and multiple comments noted letters from other Remington Pond residents. Council members asked police and building/zoning staff to check whether prior approvals and sign-offs were current before any subsequent hearing.

The denial does not permanently bar Fusion Latin & Caribbean from returning to the council with revised plans; council members and residents said they would consider a proposal that limits hours, requires doors remain closed during amplified performances, or confines amplified sound to tightly specified, infrequent events.

The council’s action came after roughly two hours of public comment and discussion, making the Fusion application the meeting’s most heavily contested single agenda item.