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Charlestown is seeing a surge in development applications that will result in a level of growth not seen in over 20 years. We may reach a level of development applications that will be impossible for the Planning Department and Planning Commission to review. Impossible or not, state law requires that we review and make decisions within a set number of days.
On the Charlestown Planning Commission’s July 7th meeting agenda are two major subdivisions – “Summer Winds”, and “Summer Winds”. That isn’t a typo! The developers of the Summer Winds subdivision, are now proposing a Major Subdivision Comprehensive Permit on the same land as the Summer Winds subdivision and also calling it Summer Winds. They haven’t withdrawn the original Summer Winds, so for now there are two different proposals, with the same name, by the same developer, for the same parcel of land.
The Charlestown Be-Fit Road Bike Trail is a bike tour of our beautiful town and was conceived and developed by the Charlestown Parks and Recreation Commission. The trail passes many of our town’s pristine conserved lands along with Historic Cemeteries, ponds, streams and inviting businesses.
Most of our readers are signed up to receive the CCA newsletter which is handcrafted and sent about once a week from our website. A smaller group of subscribers receive an automated email with all of the previous day’s blog posts whenever there is new content. All of our readers who were receiving the “daily” automated email will be transferred to a new email list.
On the Charlestown Planning Commission’s June 23rd meeting agenda are three major land developments – “Village Walk”, “Summer Winds”, and “Rippy’s Garages” – along with other applications. You can join the live Webex meeting on June 23 at 7 p.m.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries since the 1940s. There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects. High PFAS levels are often found at former military sites like Ninigret Park. The wells with elevated PFAS are not used for drinking water.
Thanks to Carla Ricci for this video of a snapping turtle laying its eggs near Carolina Rhode Island.
The Breachway Bikers Club is a community bicycle group that explores our beautiful part of the world at a leisurely pace. You can join them on Saturday mornings at 8:00 am and Wednesday nights at 5:00 pm for a non-competitive bike ride throughout our beautiful area. Details in post.
A full list of recreation offerings in Charlestown with event dates, including recreation programs for children and adults, movies, concerts, nature trails, beaches and more.
On Friday, May 21, at approximately 10:30 a.m. an explosion was heard across Charlestown from the border with Richmond, to South Kingstown, to Westerly. Because of the way sound travels and where people were, whether in their homes or outdoors, not everyone heard the noise or felt the shock wave. What is remarkable is how far people who did feel and/or hear the explosion were from the source.
Only In Your State‘s travel writers create articles highlighting the hidden gems, little-known attractions, and natural wonders of each state. They describe Charlestown as “a tiny town that represents a slower kind of life centered on the natural beauty of the area.”
Now thanks to Charlestown’s open space, regulatory standards, and the hard work of Charlestown Building Official Joseph Warner and other town staff, home owners will receive a 20% discount on flood insurance.
Village Walk will be on the May 26th meeting. This is a continuation of the discussion of Village Walk that took place April 28. The meeting packet contains a peer review report from an architect explaining ways the Village Walk buildings and layout could be modified to better fit into the village.
When: Saturday, May 29th, from 8am to 1pm
Where: St. Andrew Lutheran Church Parking Lot, 15 East Beach Road, Charlestown
Hanging baskets, annuals, perennials, and mixed containers.
Now that the plan has been approved, the Planning Commission can begin the process of addressing issues that the town faces along with residents’ concerns. The staff, boards, commissions and committees now have a solid footing for making their decisions. State agencies still have to make final approval of the plan, but their reviews so far have been extremely good.
Bob Petrone, who has provided some beautiful drone videos recently of our beaches, will take a break once the summer starts and the beaches fill with people. In the meantime, enjoy this 90 second drone flight taken May 2nd, 2021, heading west on East Beach.
On the Charlestown Planning Commission’s April 28th meeting agenda are two major land developments – “Summer Winds” and “Village Walk” and other proposals. Links to review all the materials submitted by the applicants, the agenda for the entire April 28 meeting, and a link to join the live Webex meeting on April 28 at 7 p.m. where these applications will be reviewed are in this post.
In 2013 and 2016, the Rhode Island Legislature passed bills that allow unbuildable perimeter wetlands and steeply sloped land to be included in determining buildable lot sizes. Lots that have large areas of wetland buffer have smaller buildable areas and create conflicts with wetland protection.
On April 17, the day we set aside for the recent litter pick-up in Charlestown, Jeanne Silva, one of the dedicated volunteers working to clear the roadside on Old Mill Road, came upon this pitiful snake, trapped in plastic mesh that someone had dumped at the side of the road.
Charlestown’s 2021 Litter Pick-Up Day had a great turn out and a staggering amount of roadside litter was picked up. Bravo to everyone who pitched in and also to those who tooted their horns and gave thumbs up to the volunteers, giving everyone energy! Statistics about Litter Pick-Up Day in the post.
This newest Comprehensive Plan has been developed entirely in the Internet age, and we have fully used those tools. The agendas, minutes, and videos of the meetings are available online. Drafts of chapters have been available online as they were first written and as they changed.
The Charlestown Planning Commission and Planning Department have created a slideshow to summarize the 2020 draft of Charlestown’s Comprehensive Plan. Please click on the blue button in the post to page through the summary. A continued joint public hearing on the proposed new Comprehensive Plan is scheduled by the Town Council and Planning Commission for May 4th at 7 PM.
On March 21, the first full day of Spring, Bob Petrone flew his drone to take advantage of that perfect spring day. There were few people walking the beach and the sky was a deep blue with no wind. The YouTube video in this post will bring the viewer on a 7 minute ride along the Quonnie coast from Blue Shutters to the Quonochontaug Breachway and pond.
The Charlestown Town Council will hold a public hearing at their regular meeting on April 12 to discuss the potential acquisition of 66.5 acres of mostly forested land that lies along Alton Carolina Road (Rt. 91) between The Nature Conservancy’s Francis Carter Preserve and the State’s Carolina Wildlife Management Area.
In late October a short survey was mailed to households in Charlestown asking what you like most about our town, but also if you think improvement might be needed. The results of that “pre-survey” are now ready. A link to the report and all of the survey responses is available in the post.
If you have ever asked yourself what one person can do to benefit their community, there are many examples of people who stand out. People who see a need and pursue a workable solution are all around us. In Charlestown, I can offer one example of an ordinary citizen who saw a problem, persevered, and is currently working to solve a town wide problem.
Charlestown Citizens Alliance kicked off a campaign seeking donations to ease the burden on neighbors experiencing food insecurity. As of mid-January, donations have reached almost $10,000 from nearly 50 individual donors. An anonymous donor working directly with RICAN pledged to match the donations. We thank all the donors who participated in our campaign.
Bob Petrone has made another beautiful video. This one of a snowy Valentines Day over Quonnie. In any season or temperature, Charlestown is always lovely.
Let the legislature know you support House bills 5113 and 5280. These “Bottle Bills” can make our roads cleaner and safer, reduce litter and marine debris, increase recycling rates, protect our environment and natural resources, and save taxpayers money.
On the Town Council agenda for Feburary 8 is a vote to allow the Town Administrator and Town’s attorney to negotiate a price for the property. DEM also has to approve the price and will not be involved in the sale if they believe the price is greater than the market value. If a sales price can be negotiated that the seller, town and DEM all agree on, the Town Council will hold a public hearing at a future meeting and then vote on the purchase.