RI Superior Court Backs Westerly Board’s Decision to Deny Development of Winnapaug
A Rhode Island Superior Court judge upheld the Westerly Planning Board’s decision to deny development of Winnapaug Country Club.
“We are delighted that the Superior Court ruled as it did and that he Donald Ross golf course is preserved for future generations,” said Ed Rossomando, and Executive member of the Keep Westerly Green committee.
As GolfNewsRI reported, Winnapaug is owned by Winn Properties, who proposed turning the golf course into an affordable housing area in 2023.
According to the Westerly Sun, the Westerly Planning Board shot that down last July and the Superior Court upheld the decision following an appeal from Winn Properties.
“The Planning Board’s decision was supported by competent evidence. The appeal is denied, and the Planning Board’s denial of the master plan is therefore affirmed,” wrote Associate Justice Jeffrey A. Lanphear.
While this is good news for the RI golf community, Winnapaug may not be out of the “woods” yet.
Winn Properties, which is owned by Nicholas Scola and his wife Jill, could still appeal to the RI Supreme Court, or develop a new proposal and go back to Westerly officials.
Proposal’s for Winnapaug Development
As GolfNewsRI reported, plans to develop Winnapaug started in 2022 when Nicklaus design was brought in to renovate the golf course and the area around it.
This included plans for a new clubhouse, pro shop and more.
The Westerly Town Council shot that proposal down in 2022 and the Nicklaus group went away shortly after the ruling.
Winn Properties came back in 2023 and proposed building 2,300 housing unites on the course, and used Rhode Island’s affordable housing laws as the reason.
That was rejected in July of 2023, before Winn Properties appealed to RI Superior Court.