Council authorizes request to Aquidneck Land Trust to amend easements for 3S fields concept plan

Portsmouth — The Town Council on June 22 authorized staff to pursue a formal request to the Aquidneck Island Land Trust for an amendment to existing conservation and trail easements so the town can continue pursuing conceptual plans for athletic fields at the 3S property.

Staff and the DPW director said concept plans prepared with on‑call contractor VHB showed supporting infrastructure (access road and parking) in locations not consistent with the original easement documents. The land trust told town staff the athletic fields themselves are not prohibited under the easement but the supporting access and parking locations would need adjustment and buffering. The Land Trust recommended the town submit revised plans and a formal amendment request so the trust and, if supportive, the Attorney General's office can evaluate whether the proposed changes would materially reduce the conservation value of the property.

DPW director Paul Rodrigues described updated alignment options that shift the access roadway away from the walking trail easement and reduce the parking footprint; staff said they tried to avoid building in wetlands and that the proposed revisions seek to stay outside regulated wetland areas. The council explicitly noted that an easement amendment would not commit the town to construction — it would only allow the project to proceed through further feasibility review.

Council voted unanimously to ask staff to work with the land trust and the town solicitor on a formal amendment request.

What happens next: VHB will prepare revised plans that incorporate the land trust's feedback; staff will submit a formal amendment request and, if ALT supports it, the Attorney General will review for compliance with state law and conservation value protections.