Westerly - State of Rhode Island: Division of Planning

The Westerly Comprehensive Plan9.4.3 Round ThreeThe draft Comprehensive Plan goals, objectives and actions were presented to the public at aworkshop held on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at the conference center of the Westerly Hospital. Thedraft materials were advertised in the Westerly Sun prior to the workshop. Approximately 30members of the public and 10 members of the Citizens Advisory Committee attended. Because thegoals and objectives had been presented previously for public comment, the focus of this workshopwas the review of 55 actions designed to be specific and achievable within a 5-year time frame.During the workshop there was an opportunity for the public to ask clarifying questions and tomake verbal and written comments on the draft material. In order to gain more systematicfeedback, attendees were also asked to fill out a form that allowed them to rate the proposed actionsand provide comments on missing items and priorities. Individuals were asked to rate each action asto whether they agreed, disagreed, or felt that additional clarification was needed. Ten action itemshad five or more respondents that either disagreed with the action or felt that further clarificationwas needed. The responses are summarized in Table 9-7 below. Workshop attendees were instrong agreement with the remaining action items.The Citizens Advisory Committee carefully reviewed each action that had five or moredisagreements or clarifications needed as well as the written and verbal comments from theworkshop. In response to this feedback from the public, several actions were rewritten and newactions were added. Also maps and explanatory material were added for clarity.Table 9-7 Issues Identified by the PublicActionNumberAction Agree Disagree ClarificationNeeded1.1 Adopt Salt Ponds overlay district 24 1 61.2 Limit increase in zoning density 23 1 61.8 Develop a river corridor overlay district 19 2 83.4Implement strategies by which the Westerly airportincreases economic development opportunities19 3 54.1Implement economic development policies from2008 Blue Ribbon Task Force report17 0 55.1Implement the existing (2006) affordable housingplan and review progress annually24 3 75.5Adopt regulations for housing seasonal hospitalityand tourism industry employees15 5 78.2Review and revise planned resort developmentprovision in the Westerly zoning ordinance19 5 28.5Insure that land-use regulations and decision makersconsider implications and impacts on tourism,seasonal residents, year-round residents, and21 0 5regional services9.5Establish and fund an annual appropriation to theWesterly Hospital to assist in reimbursement foruncompensated services for Westerly citizens15 6 3Westerly, Rhode Island 143