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Council sends negative recommendation to CRMC after divided hearing on 88 Washington Street variances
Summary
After extended public comment and legal back-and-forth, the council voted to send a negative recommendation to the Coastal Resources Management Council regarding requested variances for 88 Washington Street, citing concerns about buffer setbacks and historic- and waterfront-area impacts.
The City Council voted to send a negative recommendation to the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council on variances requested for a proposed house at 88 Washington Street after a lengthy public-comment period and split council motions.
Multiple neighbors and preservation advocates urged the council to object, arguing the proposed house projects into coastal buffer zones and conflicts with CRMC setback requirements. Peter Denton, a nearby resident, told the council the proposal requests setbacks well inside the required buffer and said applicants "do not come close to meeting the 6 criteria for variances." Applicant counsel Jay Lynch said the project had received approvals from the Historic District Commission and the zoning board and urged CRMC to make its own determination.
The city solicitor advised caution and suggested the council remain neutral; nevertheless, councilors moved through competing motions and ultimately passed a motion to send a negative recommendation to CRMC. The vote reflected the council’s concern about waterfront views, historic context and the potential precedent of large, setback‑reducing projects on Washington Street.
What happens next: the city’s negative recommendation will be part of the CRMC record as it considers the applicant’s variance requests; CRMC will make the final permitting decision.
