Council extends special-use permit deadline for Tiverton waterfront zoning to Feb. 28, 2025

The Tiverton Town Council voted Nov. 20 to amend the town code to extend the deadline tied to special-use permits affecting the waterfront. Councilors replaced the prior end date of Dec. 31, 2024 with Feb. 28, 2025 to allow the planning department additional time to complete special-use criteria and hold related public hearings.

The change applies to the section of the Tiverton code governing special-use permits in zoning article 16. Planning staff said the planning board has a packet ready but needs more time to write the special criteria; the goal is to set a hearing date in January, staff told the council. A council member said the extension would let the planning board finalize voluminous materials and avoid an automatic conversion to "permitted by right" before criteria are in place.

Councilor Berg moved to strike the Dec. 31, 2024 date and replace it with Feb. 28, 2025; the motion was seconded and the amended ordinance was approved. The council closed the public hearing on the amendment before voting. There were no public speakers in opposition during the hearing segment.

The amendment delays the effective change long enough that the planning board can complete its review and present the revised criteria at a subsequent council meeting. The council indicated the full packet will be on a future agenda and that a formal public hearing on the broader zoning changes is anticipated next month.