We the undersigned are a group of concerned citizens and residents of the Town of Westerly. We are coordinating our efforts to express concerns over proposed changes to the Town of Westerly Zoning Ordinance, specifically, the proposed amendments to § 260-73 - Golf Courses. The proposed amendments represent a considerable expansion of accessory uses by allowing: “Golf Villas”, “Guest Cottages”, “Lodging”, “Workforce Housing” and “Limited Hotel Suites”. The undersigned are of the position that such an expansion of uses is grossly inconsistent with the goals and aspirations of the Comprehensive Community Plan, Future Land Use Map and Commercial Recreation (CR) zoning district.

Golf Courses are situated in the Commercial Recreation zoning district, specifically designed to preserve commercial/recreational facilities with “limitations on future expansion.” [Art. III, § 260-13(d)(2)]. The proposed amendments fail to adequately protect and address long-term preservation of open space and recreational uses that are wholly dependent upon the financial viability of golf courses as a principal use.

In order to protect and preserve the interests of the community as well as protect those directly impacted by the proposed amendments, the Town must consider additional safeguards such as conservation restrictions, open space requirements and development guidelines in order to adequately protect our most precious resource of undeveloped land.

Westerly must protect our open space