[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6561280,"mediaKeyId","3292874-220295ba4dba85afdba1e01860678be0","parentId",3292874,"title","Warren advisory committee maps potential sites, seeks funding contacts for affordable housing","audioSeconds",100,"startMs",2800000,"endMs",2900000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3292874-220295ba4dba85afdba1e01860678be0&start=2800&end=2900","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3292874-220295ba4dba85afdba1e01860678be0/thumbnail_2800000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6561280/Warren/Bristol-County/Rhode-Island/Warren-advisory-committee-maps-potential-sites-seeks-funding-contacts-for-affordable-housing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561280-7636e1f20f91f86e7aacda4fea27bbe9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770444412&Signature=osiDuQlZMLz4VHPH~YS4~jQehrCMFdQM3UFKt8IhM1zZC07YzC5IxJeOtE6f9OPHem9djuVyKMR7bSP5V4FDvjpptgVtUgaKk86jH2UZwms04jogcIqvb7QYArBRTAx-qrzQlZ3ejvFhDU95pJW6NVpBiyyKgBZOxZ9OYo9Gc7ps91sLLYXZDYtDrmM4wDmcMPVSN4NDNrH7szbyuVtiDU-ENe8n8bmfdJ93kdhon1DK6tBfFrHBC9dSWl1h5lA~KsCqigePMrHciTWFcIPBXVbdeFARGVYXBCGwzhYVzFgu55DMiKnez1BrnU48LZ096bRX8S6Mr78ipxLMtpYTFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Warren RI Town Council","date","2025-05-14T13:54:41Z","article","The Warren Affordable Housing Advisory Committee gave its first formal update to the council after six months of meetings.

Committee chair David Bolster reported officers and a meeting schedule are in place and that the group has compiled a map and database of potential sites within the town’s infrastructure perimeter. The committee plans targeted outreach to property owners and to convene developers and financing experts to explore projects that could yield subsidized affordable units.

Bolster said the committee had briefings from state and regional experts, including a representative from Rhode Island Housing’s new Proactive Development unit, a housing planner from Weston & Sampson who prepared the town’s housing production plan, and state Rep. June Speakman on funding opportunities. The committee intends to create a list of local architects, planners and developers and to encourage projects that use existing infrastructure so as to avoid consuming open space.

Council members raised capacity questions for town services (sewer, police, schools) and asked that outreach materials be shared with the town solicitor before they are mailed. The committee said it will first send a small batch of letters to eight property owners from a larger set of roughly 100 candidate parcels identified by plat‑map review and field surveys.

Why it matters: Warren’s advisory committee is focused on producing shovel‑ready options, connecting owners and developers with funding, and prioritizing redevelopment within existing infrastructure. The committee does not commit town funds on behalf of property owners but will help coordinate potential projects and funding sources.

Next steps: Committee will circulate the draft outreach letter to the solicitor for review, begin the first set of owner contacts and report back to council with any developer or funding commitments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 13, 2025-Warren Town Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Warren Affordable Housing Advisory Committee presented a six‑month progress update: an inventory of candidate sites, outreach plans to property owners, and work compiling funding and developer contacts.","taxTitle","Warren, Bristol County, Rhode Island","taxId",79694,"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},6561284,"Votes at a glance: Warren council approves budget, liquor license, zoning change and other items",131,1336000,1467000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3292874-220295ba4dba85afdba1e01860678be0&start=1336&end=1467","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3292874-220295ba4dba85afdba1e01860678be0/thumbnail_1336000.jpg","/articles/6561284/Warren/Bristol-County/Rhode-Island/Votes-at-a-glance-Warren-council-approves-budget-liquor-license-zoning-change-and-other-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561284-7e2f913517f3d747ae7cc760267d0df0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770444412&Signature=QWFPTwhFwAvwjNTZo46eUzRs5Ew6MNVd~KZjPvyfc9UXNujATAjvt8BCgQM7EuATTv54t5phIOKU1ZP2qDr2RVlKcZNE6RATv7Sp0fmMEpW6vDRqHWnNVSfVZ3pKJkgLGcVwgQBiToYZid4gJ~-lSzyRv39G49HxuukgvFGfYbkKntMOKwuo33tLiqgl1BVSZpiRt0azZBEbX2CSJwooFslki4qHt14fqOShJYCPYbqosuUD8spA2fkn-nQN3hlQfatp6-CDzfEOzxc8N8GEGdA3ST5odUdRBzBEQZ6DKYORGYWdCg7YOa2TahCL~imApUjoadtbp3oV3FJZBr3RHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Warren Town Council recorded a series of formal outcomes at its May meeting. Highlights below are drawn from the council’s motions and roll-call results given in the meeting record.

Final FY 2025–26 budget: The council moved to adopt the final fiscal year 2025–26 budget and voted in favor. No speaker-level roll‑call was recorded in the transcript; the chair called for “All in favor?” and members answered “Aye.” The council president acknowledged the vote as approved.

Zoning map amendment, 51 Cole Street (Tax Assessor Plot 5, Lot 130): The council held a public hearing and approved reclassifying the parcel from Manufacturing District to Village Business, following a planning board recommendation that the change is consistent with the comprehensive land use plan. Proponent Michael Monti and property owner Chris Woodard described market interest for mixed uses; no council roll‑call was read aloud during the approval, and the chair called the vote in the affirmative.

Outdoor seating and liquor license amendment (existing restaurant, 22 seasonal seats): The council approved a seasonal expansion to allow 22 exterior seats and a corresponding amendment to the premises for an existing Class B liquor license. The council added a condition limiting servers from carrying drinks across the public sidewalk and required that outside seats not be moved inside in inclement weather. Letters of neighborhood support were entered into the record.

Resolutions and proclamations: The council approved (a) a resolution asking for removal of abandoned utility poles; (b) a resolution regarding funding for private school transportation that will be forwarded to the General Assembly; (c) proclamations recognizing the 100th anniversary of the Laurel Park Improvement Association and athletic state champions from the town.

Business licenses and permits: The council approved a set of business permits and licenses brought as individual items, including a victualling (food service) license for a new Market Street cafe (subject to health and fire signoffs), mobile food establishment permits for multiple vendors, and outdoor seating permits for other restaurants. Approvals were conditioned on normal public‑safety and health approvals where applicable.

Ordinance first reading — Streets and sidewalks (Ch. 18): The council approved a first reading of proposed edits to chapter 18 (streets and sidewalks) to clarify DigSafe marking colors, standardize sidewalk repair materials to match existing construction, and require curb‑to‑curb paving after utility trenching; the matter was set for second reading next month with numerical corrections.

Administrative and other votes: The council approved consent‑agenda items, minutes for several prior meetings, routine personnel advertising for vacancies, and annual municipal agreements (for example the solid waste contract with Rhode Island Resource Recovery). The council also received a report from the Warren Affordable Housing Advisory Committee and voted to pursue a tree‑planting design plan for Burris Hill Park.

Methodology note: Many formal approvals in the transcript were taken by voice vote with the chair asking “All in favor?” and members answering “Aye.” When individual roll‑call tallies or mover/second names were not read into the public record, this summary records the outcomes stated on the record without inventing counts or attributions that were not spoken.","At its May meeting the Warren Town Council approved the final FY 2025–26 budget, several proclamations and resolutions, a zoning map amendment for 51 Cole Street, seasonal outdoor seating and liquor service for an existing restaurant, and multiple business permits and licenses. Several other items were set for further review.",{"_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},6561290,"Residents urge Warren council to enforce state ADU rules after listings prompt concern",800,309000,1109000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3292874-220295ba4dba85afdba1e01860678be0&start=309&end=1109","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3292874-220295ba4dba85afdba1e01860678be0/thumbnail_309000.jpg","/articles/6561290/Warren/Bristol-County/Rhode-Island/Residents-urge-Warren-council-to-enforce-state-ADU-rules-after-listings-prompt-concern","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561290-c0ec8c2bb4a49a1a2a4790f451956fff/orig.mp4?Expires=1770444412&Signature=XLeNWTaKzSAx3NYj4rJnrb6s0wRg3iOkBRgnJkPUlxHmwo6rDA0VsPK30N4DK7XTHK0IEsigHd6sHhUOAurmyR1newfMeQn7CdBl5BYbqZdXmKIofKVDXJmgX0jxFP6vM6sjKxxmnO3xikd16Z9ggDxRay5w5Atk1T~0rC-9~BU6dt3Q3WwEAfpqmeNxnfSK4htfdYJZ08OCjwSBoX-UnhqpayQqJ5xWvbyl~QCjg5EeQxCyXZAkHOp2MhHVSNteEUPixo0ZY2vtBObUzmUXKczmme20icVFKOYXpG50UYsvxmzbidKYuoxwxx-Cj8YaHMoXuf2xFZmKh17L0oZbXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Warren residents used the council’s public comment period to press officials on how the town will implement Rhode Island’s 2024 changes to accessory dwelling unit rules.

Victor Westgate, who gave his address at the podium, told the council that the state law change could be misused by investors and cited a property at 40 Linden Street being marketed as having ADU potential. “Do not take a well intended law on ADUs to be misused by would be investors,” he said, urging the town not to grant parking or occupancy variances for ADUs in the historic district.

Neighborhood resident Scott Melnick, who said his house abuts the parcel Westgate described, told the council the block already has parking pressure and that the advertised listing suggests a “flip” targeted toward profit rather than local housing needs. Lisa Cowley, speaking as a nearby resident, added that the statute prohibits short-term rentals for ADUs and warned of problems other jurisdictions encountered.

Councilman John W. Hanley and town officials answered residents’ procedural questions. Town Solicitor Daniel DeSisto (transcript: “Mister DeSisto”) explained that the state law removed the town’s ability to require owner-occupancy or that ADU occupants be relatives; those provisions “are not even an option we can consider,” he said. Acting town planner (referred to in the transcript as Anthony) and DeSisto advised residents that, where an ADU does not meet statutory requirements (for example lacking the required off‑street parking), an applicant would need a variance and a planning‑board hearing.

Town staff said they are drafting local ADU regulations under the new state law. DeSisto and the acting planner told the speakers that staff member Lisonbee Rain will prepare ADU regulations that will be submitted to council and to the planning board for a public hearing; residents were invited to supply contact information to receive notice and testify at that process.

Why it matters: ADUs are being promoted statewide as one tool to expand housing options, but residents said the local impacts — on parking, neighborhood character and affordability — will be determined by how the town implements the statute. The council and staff repeatedly told speakers that the law constrains how far the town can limit ADUs, but local regulation and the variance process remain available for site‑specific issues.

What’s next: Town staff will finish the draft ADU regulations and follow the required local review sequence (council filing, Planning Board hearing, then council hearing). Residents were encouraged to monitor and participate in that formal process.","Residents told the Warren Town Council they are worried investors will exploit the 2024 Rhode Island law easing accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules, and asked town staff to tighten local implementation and preserve parking and neighborhood character.","actionData","errors"]

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Warren advisory committee maps potential sites, seeks funding contacts for affordable housing

Votes at a glance: Warren council approves budget, liquor license, zoning change and other items

Residents urge Warren council to enforce state ADU rules after listings prompt concern