Westerly - State of Rhode Island: Division of Planning

The Westerly Comprehensive Planregulations while acting flexibly to accommodate development it has deemed desirable. Throughoutthe public outreach activities conducted in support of this Plan, citizens overwhelmingly expressedlove for Westerly while stressing the importance of continually improving its infrastructure andrelated public services. Consistent with these sentiments, this Plan’s vision for the future isgrounded in respecting Westerly’s history and traditions, cherishing its natural resources, andthoughtfully managing growth and development.The four goals articulated in Land Use 2025: Rhode Island Land Use Policies and Plan provided aconstant touch-point for development of this Comprehensive Plan and the longer term view ofWesterly’s future. These goals are:• Goal 1: Build the Greenspace and Greenways System• Goal 2: Achieve Excellence in Community Design• Goal 3: Develop First-class Supporting Infrastructure• Goal 4: Implement the Vision4.2.2 Build the Greenspace and Greenways System4.2.2.1 Protect Open Space and Important Land FeaturesThe town must employ and support a full array of public, charitable, private and multi-sectorstrategies to acquire and/or otherwise protect areas of open space and important natural landfeatures.Since the adoption of Westerly’s existing Comprehensive Plan, substantial areas of open space forpreservation and recreational use have been acquired or otherwise protected. Charitable entitiessuch as the Westerly Land Trust and Weekapaug Foundation for Conservation have been active andsuccessful in both acquiring ownership of open space land or development rights. The town ofWesterly has acquired multiple sites for well head and aquifer protection and for recreational use.The town and its charitable organizations will continue to use traditional means of propertyacquisition, but it must also continue to employ other techniques to achieve its objectives withoutdirect expenditure of taxpayer and water-user revenue. Especially in uncertain economic times,federal, state and local government contributions to such acquisition and protection efforts are likelyto be reduced. The lessons of Westerly’s experiences will need to be employed to continue thesuccess of the past, preserve the images and appearance of Westerly, and yet allow sustainablevibrant growth.An example of public-private-charitable sector collaboration is Champlin Woods at WinnapaugPond which preserved 134.5 acres of unique land features, a 2,100 foot long undisturbed scenicroadscape and tree canopy, and completed the preservation of a 7,800 foot wide prehistoric landformation. Under local and state land use regulations, the 173.09 acre site had the capability ofbeing divided into 88 building lots including up to 17 lots along Shore Road (Scenic Route 1A), eachwith its own driveway cut and the emasculation of the canopy. The Westerly Land Trust and theprivate Newbury Development Corporation partnered in the acquisition of the site with the jointobjective of achieving development of the site at a density otherwise permitted but confining thearea of development and disturbance to 38.6 acres and preservation of the remaining acres. Theproject approval includes 60 two-bedroom homes, and a 171 room congregate care facility, whichWesterly, Rhode Island 45