[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6115635,"mediaKeyId","2737917-3d1f90291639afe5f4e73b164812f928","parentId",2737917,"title","Narragansett council hears zoning updates to conform to 2024 state law; ADU, basement and FAR rules clarified","audioSeconds",5046,"startMs",1696000,"endMs",6742000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2737917-3d1f90291639afe5f4e73b164812f928&start=1696&end=6742","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2737917-3d1f90291639afe5f4e73b164812f928/thumbnail_1696000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6115635/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Narragansett-council-hears-zoning-updates-to-conform-to-2024-state-law-ADU-basement-and-FAR-rules-clarified","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115635-3e7f072727c4ce8fa8b0d36159c58085/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163216&Signature=al~LlnUni0EnJDlMVoWM~O~kYc-zyi~YBYePnJlWVBr0-dNQdUa-tRv9Sibna1pF7dGg1Mlf1YpbpgY1FBgi37Ob~RxKhAvYkZAX0rEHQmWqL2lDlR4Sx~3SELGYNkFgBGGyO8iat5CG3c7q0JiFOOcxnJOgPwk6T-7LdXsTTX9E2StSmugIGUoHfsS3j9OfyCoGwi86UQsfRxM85V5u0p~aMBx03XTP3uIvoM1mcXIsk0I7-8awCrsTAcTULjwmfTwCf7tiYMuR1CQz6SS1N8KUNbfqzGoY2nGdJZkqoqHrZnyd2F3hXijnX4o~vov0Oiz5J3I85ELBdkXCmFAxqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Narragansett Town Council","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","Planning staff and the planning board presented a package of zoning ordinance amendments on Feb. 18 designed to bring Narragansett\u0000local law into alignment with multiple 2024 changes made by the Rhode Island General Assembly.

Planning Director Jill Sabo and Planning Board Chairman Mark Brady told the Town Council the changes are largely ministerial updates required by state law but include local provisions that the town can set, most notably how accessory dwelling units (ADUs) will be regulated here.

Sabo said the state requires new definitions and sizing limits. \"The studio/one-bedroom ADU shall be allowed at no greater than 900 square feet or 60% of the main dwelling, whichever is less,\" she said. \"A two-bedroom ADU shall be no greater than 1,200 square feet or 60%, whichever is less. The ADU shall not contain more than two bedrooms and one additional off-street parking is required.\" She also said ADUs cannot be rented for fewer than 30 days under state law.

The planning board recommended adopting the state's new definitions for \"basement\" and related terms; Sabo explained the state removed basements from the floor-area-ratio (FAR) calculation and the town's ordinance needed matching language. \"This is the state law,\" Sabo said when councilors asked whether the change was a local workaround.

Brady told the council he and the planning board had faced intense public criticism in recent weeks and emphasized that the board \"does not make our own rules up; we follow the letter of state law.\" He said the board had also recommended removing an outdated local provision on \"affordable accessory dwelling units\" from the main table because the state now sets ADU parameters; the planning board left a reserved section in the ordinance so the town can later add municipal incentives.

Councilors pressed staff on whether the town could create incentives or subsidies to encourage truly affordable ADUs rather than market-rate ADUs. Councilor Durkin repeatedly raised the point that prior municipal rules had allowed affordable ADU incentives and that losing those local tools might make it harder to produce permanently affordable units. Sabo and Brady said the town must comply now with the state statute and that the planning board can draft municipal subsidy language for the council to consider later.

The package also incorporates state changes on manufactured-home definitions, how \"legally created substandard lots of record\" are handled, and language to allow variances and special-use permits to be applied for together without triggering the higher \"use variance\" standard.

The hearing generated detailed technical questions about the distinction between \"basement\" and \"cellar/seller\" definitions and when below-grade space counts toward FAR; Sabo said the changes were intended to reconcile state definitions while keeping town floodplain/FEMA rules intact.

At the end of the public hearing, Council President and members moved to continue the matter to a later date so staff and solicitors could provide follow-up clarifications on the basement/cellar wording and to give the planning board time to draft any proposed municipal incentives for affordable ADUs. The council voted to continue the hearing to April 21, 2025.

What happens next: the planning board will prepare any municipal-subsidy language and clarify the cellar/basement definitions for the council; the council will take the ordinance through subsequent readings as required by local process.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Narragansett Town Council - February 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Planning staff and the planning board presented ordinance updates to align Narragansett\u0000zoning with several 2024 changes made by the Rhode Island General Assembly, covering ADUs, basements and FAR, manufactured homes and substandard lots.","taxTitle","Narragansett, Washington County, Rhode Island","taxId",79580,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115616,"Council approves preservation easement for Kinney Bungalow and $15,000 stewardship payment to Preserve Rhode Island",1396,7308000,8704000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2737917-3d1f90291639afe5f4e73b164812f928&start=7308&end=8704","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2737917-3d1f90291639afe5f4e73b164812f928/thumbnail_7308000.jpg","/articles/6115616/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Council-approves-preservation-easement-for-Kinney-Bungalow-and-15000-stewardship-payment-to-Preserve-Rhode-Island","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115616-c08fccce9978ac5ae1b9e1d9a61c385f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163216&Signature=abXOiNNL1bbgN6QTnbDvGeHq3iDecbKOw65mCcWOlmf7bXaxJtn79HPtnzKtZOw3CZzWbxiO~mcbYdWgAi5uTX5k0Dki2~TFvzWFT7Ghu3jZecRFU10nFCClTEgKR6sqL2HtPgW86kv8sdMi-pWkBmMDR4mYyy3o3W-RIRPjyQV5b4tUiu~Raz9mGMW417n3or61UeSt8LYg1bEC~sZBGl~pIPl19YVnejJzGUMdrf8hLCll6ceiFpkEV38hjOKQ8J8elTX49xNK3EHo3kTqUdWTqzkJZfSrjhprYdy1JMq-qvylfLH~IrRO~X86hMbbQTQtKS~CJyRU5SN4SKsd9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town Council voted Feb. 18 to authorize the town manager to sign and record a preservation easement on the Kinney Bungalow with Preserve Rhode Island and approved a $15,000 payment from the Land Conservancy Trust professional services account to fund perpetual stewardship.

Council members said the easement formalizes public referendum approval and places perpetual protections on key exterior and landscape features; Preserve Rhode Island will monitor the property and enforce the terms of the easement. Town staff said the payment is a one-time stewardship fee and that the Land Conservancy Trust account holds the funds. The motions passed unanimously.

","The council voted to authorize the town manager to sign a preservation easement on the Kinney Bungalow and approved a $15,000 expenditure from the Land Conservancy Trust to Preserve Rhode Island for perpetual stewardship.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115621,"Council schedules April 7 review of Boone Street Market alcohol license after resident concerns",323,8936000,9259000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2737917-3d1f90291639afe5f4e73b164812f928&start=8936&end=9259","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2737917-3d1f90291639afe5f4e73b164812f928/thumbnail_8936000.jpg","/articles/6115621/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Council-schedules-April-7-review-of-Boone-Street-Market-alcohol-license-after-resident-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115621-01d693d80174ef7c18c89c70e1c0117c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163216&Signature=LH1bfIyGxQit22mJz9wDb~z6nL1InkJf72vHvDANJJVzedFMxfGmIiSMXr-29T4UjOYw9k6mO-xOR5sRWHVNn1rDvQvb-b5~NjF0bEUcud4lNH68OdAaXMzEs9sJAMM5cNFKtNLDq1zuzwWoQtExGe3PAyh2ETzgoPcplRSN7zPIhoLI-og6~dHfxbR4QnByQ6SdmiejwVeRbJ6bhIXXdNHQguUjXrZa6UDiySzyzYgAR1qJZsO0cSJzFMAtdsgy7Ao0Z2HPTM8RTMzlWCiqiJbr4~JNr4268NzD8YP2T93KX4hpjafRij87TkLZ0sBNIpg7P97OWFs5hpT1s193Og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town Council scheduled a four-month review of Boone Street Market's alcoholic beverage license for April 7, 2025, the council agreed on Feb. 18.

The review stems from public concerns raised at the earlier hearing about noise and activity connected to the market's license. Council members said the April review will allow the licensee to report progress and give the public an opportunity to raise active-season concerns; residents asked the council to be prepared to set an additional summer review date if enforcement or neighborhood impacts continue.

Resident Mark Crook (161 Boone Street) told the council that activity has been limited in the off-season and urged the council to consider scheduling an additional hearing in June when activity increases. Councilors said the April 7 review would allow them to hear updates and that the council retains the option of an additional review during the summer.

The council voted unanimously to schedule the April 7 public hearing.

","The council set a four-month review hearing on April 7 for the Boone Street Market liquor license (license year 12/01/2024 to 11/30/2025) following resident complaints about activity tied to the establishment. Residents asked the council to consider a summer follow-up if needed.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115626,"Residents press council on enforcement of \"three-student\" rule and raise concerns about Narragansett 2100 funding and litigation",385,1066000,1451000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2737917-3d1f90291639afe5f4e73b164812f928&start=1066&end=1451","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2737917-3d1f90291639afe5f4e73b164812f928/thumbnail_1066000.jpg","/articles/6115626/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Residents-press-council-on-enforcement-of-three-student-rule-and-raise-concerns-about-Narragansett-2100-funding-and-litigation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115626-86a073afa3699323b1bb3e2b59beeca4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163216&Signature=BbPZ0o3dz9EhOL1kogTAX-rgoE0zMxHCrj15wZRAJ4f7zACjWgq4Dyl0wVsZ9QwYrt3xiItjlykv1F-2S4pB9bwNtPi9h9T20FlLozuebUo-sulblhKSVVzU0tHqnv~yj2cAdz1yH3S6QTsAxhrzjtWoJFiR4kSDiDIffBLiej4we-X6j0vGCN7NOm3K-F0ruXIcO4KiOVfg3ArDQKSZ2MON~DeQ7rMYNMFzxv6NF0dRGE6Lb6LnWltmk3QekjUChStVxouk~ELLQBcC1FOSqs9lOIW~Rffg1Lwa6RWeZf02NchTYZcM~CFgyKz5~zAOyVICS-RQEjOvxaW~derYvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents addressed the Town Council during open forum on Feb. 18, urging transparency about enforcement of the town\u0000three-student occupancy ordinance and raising broad concerns about the organization Narragansett 2100 and its role in litigation against the town.

John Henley (10 Wilderness Drive) said he had repeatedly asked the town manager and councilors whether the three-student ordinance remained enforced after several recent meetings showed apparent withdrawals of citations and limited public explanation. \"At the last couple of meetings, residents have insinuated that the 3 student ordinance is no longer being enforced. Is this true? And if so, who authorized this?\" Henley told councilors; he said he had emailed the town manager on Feb. 4 and received no substantive response.

Another speaker produced documentation he said came from the nonprofit Narragansett 2100\u0000including a federal Form 990 for a recent year and an email from the group's CEO, which he said showed the organization had taken in roughly $95,249 in revenue that year and reported $57,048 on hand. The speaker said an email from Narragansett 2100's CEO claimed the organization had \"successfully won\" litigation against the town in prior matters and suggested the group's lawyer would dictate terms of future settlements. The commenter urged the council to \"stick up for us\" and warned the group has fundraising capacity.

Joseph Volpe (21 Harbour Island Road) and others said there are more than two stakeholder groups in the town debate on student housing and landlords, and called for more inclusive outreach to resident landlords and other constituents.

The speakers asked the council for clearer public updates and stated they would continue to press the council for answers at future meetings. The council did not take formal action on these public comments during the meeting; councilors said the topics would be addressed in future communications and meetings.

Note on sources: speakers referenced a federal IRS Form 990 and an email from Narragansett 2100's CEO. Those documents were presented verbally by a resident during public comment; no town staff presented the Form 990 during the meeting record.

","Multiple residents used the open forum to demand clarity on enforcement of the town's three-student occupancy ordinance and to criticize Narragansett 2100, citing the group's federal Form 990 and fundraising emails and arguing the group has resources to litigate enforcement actions.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115631,"Council schedules community discussion on short-term rentals for March 4; mediator to facilitate",1416,7256000,8672000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2737917-3d1f90291639afe5f4e73b164812f928&start=7256&end=8672","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2737917-3d1f90291639afe5f4e73b164812f928/thumbnail_7256000.jpg","/articles/6115631/Narragansett/Washington-County/Rhode-Island/Council-schedules-community-discussion-on-short-term-rentals-for-March-4-mediator-to-facilitate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115631-ef00ea3d458ab1086333001fe82e0144/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163216&Signature=Z-3jQBPs~w2iaXYstiQtUBZAo~XnafQ15QsU5ywBko9LcjJ11rCX0BOeynrZYwP8we5YuZFHGK-4vNa63ZkpgU06EZZCiN8ADfTVse3DYYtoTPr9hgdlp25z5rxxFTvpaKmvsQNLLlNN7o9ID9nTh9pM2yO1WcDrLQyu11l~MipFimBRM2~2YVR7YjWTdk4BbYpr33WzX4gp78sedq6VwZKgo0DQEx6dL7NkRZHsU8P6BHsd4D56sPF8ZxIR02BWkc6Mlx5ZW642UfJaTXz~39byoJfG3kzj0aHQZdoYPQgHG-CL2QWWi7lTA3TgYSqw96HboSrzPo98FGGQW~me-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town Council set a community discussion on short-term rentals for Tuesday, March 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the community center and agreed to bring in the Center for Mediation & Collaboration Rhode Island to facilitate.

Councilor (Ms.) McNally reported she had spoken with the center's executive director, who offered to send staff to design and facilitate a neutral, roundtable-style meeting that would aim to surface themes and give a wide range of residents an opportunity to be heard. The proposed format uses multiple small tables with note-taking and a read-back of themes for transparency.

Councilors debate: some members asked that the public-facing meeting be clearly described as a community discussion (not the ordinance workshop) and that the later work session at Town Hall -- where council and staff would consider specific ordinance text -- remain separate. Council amended the motion to call the event a \"community discussion\" and approved scheduling it for March 4 from 6 to 8 p.m.; the vote was unanimous.

Residents who spoke at the meeting supported a neutral facilitator and suggested the council provide a brief baseline fact sheet about the current short-term rental rules so the public can discuss accurate information. Several residents noted the town has multiple stakeholder groups (resident landlords, resident-representative groups, and out-of-town investors) and urged organizers to ensure diverse representation and mechanisms for quieter voices to be heard.

The council directed staff to finalize logistics and to return the summary of themes to a later town workshop where councilors can review suggested ordinance changes line by line.

","The Town Council agreed to hold a community discussion about short-term rentals on March 4, 6-8 p.m., at the community center using a neutral facilitator from the Center for Mediation & Collaboration Rhode Island. The council amended the item to label it a \"community discussion\" and set a follow-up workshop later for ordinance work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Narragansett council hears zoning updates to conform to 2024 state law; ADU, basement and FAR rules clarified

Council approves preservation easement for Kinney Bungalow and $15,000 stewardship payment to Preserve Rhode Island

Council schedules April 7 review of Boone Street Market alcohol license after resident concerns

Residents press council on enforcement of "three-student" rule and raise concerns about Narragansett 2100 funding and litigation

Council schedules community discussion on short-term rentals for March 4; mediator to facilitate