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Westerly council adopts zoning rewrite to align local rules with state law
Summary
After a public hearing, the Westerly Town Council approved an update to the town zoning code to bring local rules into conformity with recent state law changes; council accepted minor scrivener edits before passing the ordinance.
The Westerly Town Council approved a comprehensive update to the town zoning code on June 22, adopting language intended to align local rules with recent changes in state law.
Council members heard a summary from the town planning and zoning solicitor that the draft mostly codifies state requirements and clarifies local language for applicants. "It makes it clear that we're following the state law even though frankly you have to anyway," the solicitor said during the hearing.
The council accepted two scrivener corrections submitted by a staff member and heard no members of the public speak in favor or opposition during the hearing. Several councilors stressed that the amendments are meant to remove conflicts between local ordinance text and the state statute, not to add new local requirements. One councilor voiced objection to the broader scope of state rules but voted with the majority to pass the measure.
The motion to adopt the ordinance carried after a poll vote. Planning staff and the town solicitor said the updated code should reduce confusion for applicants who otherwise must compare local ordinance language against state law. The council’s action completes the local enactment step, and the new text will take effect according to usual municipal ordinance processes.
