Over the course of the last year, there are have been multiple hotels approved for development in Newport, RI: the 84-room Hammett's Wharf Hotel (occupying one of the last parcels of open space on the downtown waterfront); the 57-room Brenton Hotel being built on Long Wharf and America’s Cup Avenue, the 40-room hotel on Broadway at the former site of Foley’s gas station and the 4-story "vacation guest facility" that is set to begin demolition this fall at the site of the former Jimmy's Saloon.

Now, the Carpionato Group is requesting a special-use permit and variance to construct two six-story hotels (featuring a total of 260 rooms) at the site of the former Newport Grand.

Additionally, Harbour Realty, LLC is requesting the same [special-use permit and variance] for a 150-room hotel on Waites Wharf* with no allowance for use of public right of way.

Until Newport residents are able to gauge the cumulative effects of the already-approved hotel builds on what seems to be a more and more fragile city infrastructure, LET’S HIT PAUSE.

By signing this petition, you are requesting a MORATORIUM ON SPECIAL USE PERMITS AND REGULATORY VARIANCES  for commercial properties in Newport, RI effective immediately - until better able to gauge the effects of the already-approved hotel builds on the infrastructure of the city.

* As of Wednesday, August 21st, the day after this petition began, the public hearing for the proposed Waites Wharf hotel has been postponed to October.