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Residents urge Warren council to enforce state ADU rules after listings prompt concern
Summary
Residents told the Warren Town Council they are worried investors will exploit the 2024 Rhode Island law easing accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules, and asked town staff to tighten local implementation and preserve parking and neighborhood character.
Several Warren residents used the council’s public comment period to press officials on how the town will implement Rhode Island’s 2024 changes to accessory dwelling unit rules.
Victor Westgate, who gave his address at the podium, told the council that the state law change could be misused by investors and cited a property at 40 Linden Street being marketed as having ADU potential. “Do not take a well intended law on ADUs to be misused by would be investors,” he said, urging the town not to grant parking or occupancy variances for ADUs in the historic district.
Neighborhood resident Scott Melnick, who said his house abuts the parcel Westgate described, told the council the block already has parking pressure and that the advertised listing suggests a “flip” targeted toward profit rather than local housing needs. Lisa Cowley, speaking as a nearby resident, added that the statute prohibits short-term rentals for ADUs and warned of problems other jurisdictions encountered.
Councilman John W. Hanley and town officials answered residents’ procedural questions. Town Solicitor Daniel DeSisto (transcript: “Mister DeSisto”) explained that the state law removed the town’s ability to require owner-occupancy or that ADU occupants be relatives; those provisions “are not even an option we can consider,” he said. Acting town planner (referred to in the transcript as Anthony) and DeSisto advised residents that, where an ADU does not meet statutory requirements (for example lacking the required off‑street parking), an applicant would need a variance and a planning‑board hearing.
Town staff said they are drafting local ADU regulations under the new state law. DeSisto and the acting planner told the speakers that staff member Lisonbee Rain will prepare ADU regulations that will be submitted to council and to the planning board for a public hearing; residents were invited to supply contact information to receive notice and testify at that process.
Why it matters: ADUs are being promoted statewide as one tool to expand housing options, but residents said the local impacts — on parking, neighborhood character and affordability — will be determined by how the town implements the statute. The council and staff repeatedly told speakers that the law constrains how far the town can limit ADUs, but local regulation and the variance process remain available for site‑specific issues.
What’s next: Town staff will finish the draft ADU regulations and follow the required local review sequence (council filing, Planning Board hearing, then council hearing). Residents were encouraged to monitor and participate in that formal process.
