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Council pauses airport overlay ordinance; planning staff to review easements with RIAC
Summary
Following public concern about property impacts, the Town Council pulled a proposed airport overlay zoning amendment and asked planning staff to coordinate with Rhode Island Airport Corporation on easements and next steps before the board resumes work.
The Town Council referred back to the Planning Board a proposed airport overlay zoning amendment after at least one abutting property owner raised constitutional takings concerns. Planning staff and the town solicitor reviewed the council discussion and reported that the solicitor, Peter Regan, advised additional research before the council moves forward.
Staff said Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) had sought wetlands permits and performed vegetation clearing near runway approaches; the council asked staff to contact RIAC to obtain copies of easements already acquired and to understand RIAC’s process for acquiring easements from private property owners. The solicitor recommended that RIAC first attempt to secure easements directly from property owners and that the town examine existing easement language and procedures before adopting overlay zoning that could constrain private property rights.
Planning staff will request documentation from RIAC about easements and the airport’s approach‑clearance process and will work with the solicitor’s office to determine appropriate next steps. The council’s action returns the overlay ordinance to the planning board for additional research rather than advancing the ordinance toward adoption.
Board members asked staff to report back with easement language and RIAC’s status; no new zoning action was taken at this meeting.
