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Council approves zoning tweak for fitness studios and adopts dock-use amendments
Summary
The council approved edits to zoning tables to allow fitness, sports and recreation uses in most nonresidential districts and adopted changes to the town docks ordinance requiring commercial-fishing applicants to show licensure and 30 landings in the prior calendar year (applies prospectively).
Councilors approved a pair of land‑use updates intended to modernize local regulations.
First, the council amended Article 8 (zoning district use regulations) to permit personal training, fitness and sports‑education uses by right in business, manufacturing, village business and other nonresidential districts (but not in residential or conservation districts). Building and zoning official Matt Cabral and the planner recommended clarifying definitions and extending permitted status to multiple districts to regularize long‑standing local gym and studio operations.
Second, on second reading the council adopted changes to Chapter 10 (Harbors and Vessels) clarifying that applicants for town dock slips must hold an active Rhode Island commercial fishing license, a current vessel declaration and demonstrate 30 landings in the previous calendar year. Staff clarified the 30‑landings rule is prospective (for the next season) so existing part‑time fishers are not disqualified retroactively.
Both measures passed by voice vote.
