Warwick RI: Protect Open Space & Rocky Point Gateway No High Density Housing on Palmer!
The Issue
Warwick RI: Protect Rocky Point Gateway - DENY 4-Lot Subdivision at 445 Palmer Ave
UPDATED OCTOBER 2026 - NEW PLAN FILED - ACTION STILL NEEDED
The developer, Harrington Realty LLC, has filed a NEW plan for 445 Palmer Ave (A.P. 379 Lot 62) - the 4.11-acre gateway parcel directly across from Rocky Point State Park.
Old plan: 7 lots / 14 duplex units
New October plan: 4 lots fronting Palmer Avenue
PARCEL A - 22,919 Sq Ft / 0.53 Acres
PARCEL B - 23,038 Sq Ft / 0.53 Acres
PARCEL C - 23,252 Sq Ft / 0.53 Acres
PARCEL D - 22,247 Sq Ft / 0.51 Acres
87,452 Sq Ft / 2.01 Acres labeled "OPEN SPACE" behind, abutting City of Warwick and State of RI land
This is still high-density and over-intensive FOR THIS LOCATION.
WHY 4 HOUSES IS HIGH DENSITY HERE:
While A-10 zoning requires only 10,000 sq ft min lot area and 100 ft frontage/width, this is not a normal A-10 block. This parcel is surrounded on three sides by protected public land - A.P. 379 Lots 12, 13, 14, 15 (City of Warwick) and Lot 434 (State of RI / RIDEM). It currently has ONE single-family home. Four houses with four curb cuts on the 2.1-acre Palmer frontage is 1.9 units per developed acre at the main entrance to a state park that hosts 300,000+ visitors per year. That is over-intensive use of a gateway.
WHY IT STILL FAILS THE LAW:
Under the City of Warwick Subdivision and Land Development Review Regulations (adopted May 8, 2024) Section 3.01(a), the Planning Board acting as Unified Development Review Board must make positive findings on all standards or deny. This plan fails:
1. Section 3.01(a)(i) and RI Gen Law 45-23-60(1) - Not consistent with Comprehensive Plan and RI 45-22.2-3 Goals. The Comp Plan emphasizes protecting and enhancing Rocky Point as a signature public open space. State goals require (4) protection of natural, historic, cultural resources and (5) preservation of open space and recreational resources. Four curb cuts at the gateway harms park access, pedestrian safety, scenic views, and neighborhood character.
2. Section 3.01(a)(iii), (v) and Definitions - The "Open Space" is not protected. Warwick defines "Lot not for Development" as a parcel reserved for open space that has or will be deeded to the City of Warwick or RI Department of Environmental Management with deed and plat restrictions forbidding any development. "Open Space" must be conveyed to the City or a nonprofit, or have a restriction enforceable by the City recorded that it shall be kept and not be built upon. This plat shows no such deed, no conservation restriction, and no notation that it is not a buildable lot. Under Warwick law, it is not open space - it is a future 5th lot.
3. Section 3.01(a)(iv) and (vii) and RI 45-23-60(3) - Significant negative environmental impacts and failure to preserve natural features. The plan proposes intensive clearing, grading with retaining walls, and four driveways within feet of DEM park land. It does not provide for safe circulation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, adequate surface water runoff, suitable building sites, and preservation of natural features.
4. Section 3.01(a)(vi) and RI 45-23-60(5) - Traffic conflict at park gateway. Four new permanent access points on Palmer Avenue at the Rocky Point gateway, plus construction traffic, creates severe conflict zones.
If any waivers are requested under Article VIII / Section 14.06, they require that strict adherence is not feasible due to special land conditions and not through self-imposed hardship, and is not contrary to intent. Subdividing a gateway parcel surrounded by City/State land is a self-imposed hardship.
WE ASK:
We, the undersigned, urge the Warwick Planning Board to DENY the October 2026 4-lot Major Subdivision at 445 Palmer Avenue (Plat 379 Lot 62) and recommend that the City work with RI DEM to acquire or protect this land as permanent park entrance open space.
SHOW UP:
Public Informational Meeting - City Hall Annex, Sawtooth Building, Community Room, 65 Centerville Road, Warwick, RI - Wednesday, NOVEMBER 4th, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Continuance again!
If you can't make it, email:
Melissa Correia, Planning Associate - melissa.j.correia@warwickri.gov
Thomas J. Kravitz, Planning Director - thomas.j.kravitz@warwickri.gov
Planning Department, 3275 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886
For the record: "I request that this letter be entered into the public record and that I be notified of any further proceedings re: 445 Palmer Avenue (A.P. 379 Lot 62)."
1,882
The Issue
Warwick RI: Protect Rocky Point Gateway - DENY 4-Lot Subdivision at 445 Palmer Ave
UPDATED OCTOBER 2026 - NEW PLAN FILED - ACTION STILL NEEDED
The developer, Harrington Realty LLC, has filed a NEW plan for 445 Palmer Ave (A.P. 379 Lot 62) - the 4.11-acre gateway parcel directly across from Rocky Point State Park.
Old plan: 7 lots / 14 duplex units
New October plan: 4 lots fronting Palmer Avenue
PARCEL A - 22,919 Sq Ft / 0.53 Acres
PARCEL B - 23,038 Sq Ft / 0.53 Acres
PARCEL C - 23,252 Sq Ft / 0.53 Acres
PARCEL D - 22,247 Sq Ft / 0.51 Acres
87,452 Sq Ft / 2.01 Acres labeled "OPEN SPACE" behind, abutting City of Warwick and State of RI land
This is still high-density and over-intensive FOR THIS LOCATION.
WHY 4 HOUSES IS HIGH DENSITY HERE:
While A-10 zoning requires only 10,000 sq ft min lot area and 100 ft frontage/width, this is not a normal A-10 block. This parcel is surrounded on three sides by protected public land - A.P. 379 Lots 12, 13, 14, 15 (City of Warwick) and Lot 434 (State of RI / RIDEM). It currently has ONE single-family home. Four houses with four curb cuts on the 2.1-acre Palmer frontage is 1.9 units per developed acre at the main entrance to a state park that hosts 300,000+ visitors per year. That is over-intensive use of a gateway.
WHY IT STILL FAILS THE LAW:
Under the City of Warwick Subdivision and Land Development Review Regulations (adopted May 8, 2024) Section 3.01(a), the Planning Board acting as Unified Development Review Board must make positive findings on all standards or deny. This plan fails:
1. Section 3.01(a)(i) and RI Gen Law 45-23-60(1) - Not consistent with Comprehensive Plan and RI 45-22.2-3 Goals. The Comp Plan emphasizes protecting and enhancing Rocky Point as a signature public open space. State goals require (4) protection of natural, historic, cultural resources and (5) preservation of open space and recreational resources. Four curb cuts at the gateway harms park access, pedestrian safety, scenic views, and neighborhood character.
2. Section 3.01(a)(iii), (v) and Definitions - The "Open Space" is not protected. Warwick defines "Lot not for Development" as a parcel reserved for open space that has or will be deeded to the City of Warwick or RI Department of Environmental Management with deed and plat restrictions forbidding any development. "Open Space" must be conveyed to the City or a nonprofit, or have a restriction enforceable by the City recorded that it shall be kept and not be built upon. This plat shows no such deed, no conservation restriction, and no notation that it is not a buildable lot. Under Warwick law, it is not open space - it is a future 5th lot.
3. Section 3.01(a)(iv) and (vii) and RI 45-23-60(3) - Significant negative environmental impacts and failure to preserve natural features. The plan proposes intensive clearing, grading with retaining walls, and four driveways within feet of DEM park land. It does not provide for safe circulation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, adequate surface water runoff, suitable building sites, and preservation of natural features.
4. Section 3.01(a)(vi) and RI 45-23-60(5) - Traffic conflict at park gateway. Four new permanent access points on Palmer Avenue at the Rocky Point gateway, plus construction traffic, creates severe conflict zones.
If any waivers are requested under Article VIII / Section 14.06, they require that strict adherence is not feasible due to special land conditions and not through self-imposed hardship, and is not contrary to intent. Subdividing a gateway parcel surrounded by City/State land is a self-imposed hardship.
WE ASK:
We, the undersigned, urge the Warwick Planning Board to DENY the October 2026 4-lot Major Subdivision at 445 Palmer Avenue (Plat 379 Lot 62) and recommend that the City work with RI DEM to acquire or protect this land as permanent park entrance open space.
SHOW UP:
Public Informational Meeting - City Hall Annex, Sawtooth Building, Community Room, 65 Centerville Road, Warwick, RI - Wednesday, NOVEMBER 4th, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Continuance again!
If you can't make it, email:
Melissa Correia, Planning Associate - melissa.j.correia@warwickri.gov
Thomas J. Kravitz, Planning Director - thomas.j.kravitz@warwickri.gov
Planning Department, 3275 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886
For the record: "I request that this letter be entered into the public record and that I be notified of any further proceedings re: 445 Palmer Avenue (A.P. 379 Lot 62)."
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Petition created on May 3, 2026