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Many are working to stop Winn Properties from developing 2,300 units on the greenbelt at Winnapaug Country Club, allowing the town to consider hotel options (a golf course, hotel and villa proposal starting in 2022, with some changes).
In the fall of 2022, a proposed zoning change that would have allowed hospitality activities at Winnebaug CC did not advance. The town council was not satisfied with the level of detail provided when making the decision, which will affect all properties like Winnapaug CC zoned commercial and recreational. In December 2023, Winn Properties received a Rhode Island certificate of eligibility to build 2,300 apartment units, 30% of which would be for low- and moderate-income tenants. Under state law, the Westerly Planning Commission can recommend changes to the project but must decide to accept or reject the master plan by the end of March. Any appeal would be strongly in favor of the 2,300-apartment scheme. We prefer the hospitality option.
The Hospitality Option retained 70% of the green space, renovated the golf course and designed it to be in keeping with Westerly’s character and charm. It involves up to a quarter of the units in affordable housing proposals, reducing demands on town infrastructure and reducing wastewater and runoff management. This would result in fewer cars, no increase in demand for schools, and likely an increase in neighboring property values.
Beginning in December 2023, former and current EDC Chairman Jim Torres and I met with town staff, Planning Commission leadership, Winn Properties, Winnapaug CC abutters and Keep Westerly Green leaders. No one wants to lose Wennebaug’s green space to the overcrowding of apartment complexes and the demand (cost) for services in Westerly.
In January, through the efforts of Town Councilman Dylan LaPietra, we held an informational meeting about hotel options. No requests or promises were made at the meeting. It was information sharing and answering questions, which attendees seemed to appreciate.
On January 31, I sent a letter to Planning Commission Chairman Justin Hopkins to initiate the formal process of considering a zoning modification to legally allow Winn Properties to propose hospitality at the golf course. A draft proposal will be presented to the Planning Commission on February 6, ahead of the first public meeting on the unpopular affordable housing proposal. The Planning Commission could review the draft zoning ordinance and formally recommend that the Town Council hold a workshop in February to consider zoning changes and discuss the hotel project. If the workshop and any further discussions make positive progress in supporting the hotel option before the March 6 planning committee meeting, Winn Properties will “continue” (i.e. defer) the affordable housing option and pursue it through Westerly’s normal planning process Hotel options.
There are many areas in Westerly that have been disturbed and could be converted into affordable housing. We shouldn’t start with our green spaces.
Doug Brockway
west wind
(The author is chairman of the West Wind Economic Development Committee)
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