July 27, 2013
Rhode Island

Whalerock public hearing continued to Aug. 28

By MARIA SHANAHAN | Southern Rhode Island Newspapers | July 26, 2013 | www.ricentral.com

CHARLESTOWN – The Charlestown Zoning Board approved a request by the town last Wednesday, July 17, to continue the public hearing on the request of Whalerock Renewable Energy, LLC, to develop two wind turbines off King’s Factory Road.

In their request for continuance, the town wrote, “The reason for the request is that the town is exploring other means which my preclude the need for the matter to be decided by the [zoning board.]”
No testimony was presented, and the zoning board agreed to continue the hearing until Aug. 28.
The town is reportedly in negotiations to purchase the Whalerock property and will be discussing a potential purchase and potential terms during an executive session with the town council today, July 25, at 10 a.m., according to Town Administrator Mark Stankiewicz.
When asked if the negotiations were serious, Stankiewicz replied, “They’re at least to a point where the council is going to have some considerations, they’re serious enough so the council is going to be looking at it.”
Stankiewicz said he would have more information following the executive session.
Also on the agenda for the executive session today, is the pending litigation regarding the Shelter Cove Marina.
A Superior Court judge recently ruled that the Charlestown Zoning Board failed to state sufficient findings of fact when it ruled in September 2011 that commercial parking at Shelter Cove on Charlestown Beach Road was a legal nonconforming use.
In the ruling, filed July 3, Superior Court Judge Sarah Taft-Carter remanded the case for further proceedings to determine whether the use of the Shelter Cove property for commercial parking has been altered, intensified or expanded since the implementation of the zoning ordinance.
A decision must then be submitted with the appropriate findings of fact.
According to Judge Taft-Carter’s ruling, the Court will retain jurisdiction in the case.
On the executive session agenda, is discussion and potential authorization to allow the town administrator to explore a possible settlement between the town of Charlestown and Shelter Cove.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/07/27/whalerock-public-hearing-continued-to-aug-28/