NARRAGANSETT – The Town Council is once again under the threat of a recall filed by a resident who opposes more than a dozen amendments put forth by the council that would change zoning regulations.
The recall petitions, filed Aug. 20 by Gail Scowcroft, a retired scientist and professor from the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography, target the whole council: President Alexander Menzies and members Jason Colonies, James Durkin, Donna Vignali and Ryan Torrealday.
Scowcroft levies a bevy of accusations against the Town Council, from violating the Open Meetings Act to overlooking conflicts of interest and ignoring warnings from the town’s planning board.
Scowcroft’s chief complaint, however, is that the council has violated its fiduciary duty and breached the public trust by pushing forward amendments to the town’s zoning regulations.
“These proposals overwhelmingly benefit landlords, investors, and developers at the expense of residents and the long-term character of Narragansett. If enacted, they will increase density, diminish opportunities for affordable and attainable housing, and directly conflict with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan,” Scowcroft wrote in one of the recall petitions.
Narragansett’s Town Council, from left: Ryan Torrealday, President Alexander Menzies, Donna Vignali, Jason Colonies and James Durkin.
Menzies, the council president, said asking for a recall without grounds sets a “dangerous precedent” for Narragansett and local government.
“I agree with a system of checks and balances, but it has to be done right. I don’t believe a recall petition should be filed just because someone disagrees with something another one said or disagrees with how someone votes. That is and should be determined by voters on Election Day,” Menzies said.
He added he remains committed to serving all Narragansett residents to the best of his ability.
“I believe in having differences of opinion and different values. That is why we encourage open dialogue and have a democratic process so that residents and voters can share their different perspectives on issues. That is why we have elections,” he added.
A long-simmering philosophical battle over housing
Narragansett has been caught in a philosophical battle over housing for years. The previous Town Council, which was swept in 2024’s election, enacted zoning regulations to restrict development, going against incremental changes to zoning approved by the General Assembly.
The amendments proposed by the current council would ease building regulations in town by re-legalizing duplexes, reverting setbacks, allowing for accessory dwelling units and increasing the number of college students allowed to live in one house, among other changes.
Not everyone has agreed on the best way to expand affordable housing in Narragansett, which is contending with rising prices, declining school enrollment, and a mix of seasonal and student housing, which limits the town’s stock.
Scowcroft argues in her recall petitions that easing zoning regulations would tax the town’s sewage and water infrastructure. She and a group of residents known as the Committee to Save Narragansett also contend that rolling back zoning regulations would benefit developers and increase the number of short-term rentals and the number of students living in Narragansett.
Many, too, were rattled by the sheer number of amendments proposed by the council. Colonies said the council wanted to put forth all of them so they could be discussed at once.
After residents raised concerns, the town council decided to hold workshops to discuss the amendments.
So far the council has approved a zoning amendment that aligns with the one per bedroom up to five, removes cellars from being included in the floor area ratio and allows the development of accessory dwelling units, also known as granny flats, according to Menzies.
The council already held a work session with the planning board on the amendments regarding 15% setbacks and coastal and freshwater overlay districts. A work session with the planning board on the ordinance restricting student housing to three tenants will be held Sept. 8.
“We are doing what we said we were going to do, [by] having work sessions with the Planning Board and taking in community feedback. Unfortunately, this has still led to a recall petition,” Menzies said.
What comes next
According to Narragansett’s town charter, elected officials have to be in office for at least six months before a recall can be submitted. In an earlier attempt, Scowcroft submitted recall petitions before this time frame, halting the effort.
The sitting Town Council, however, has been in place longer than six months, and the new recall petitions seem cleared to move forward. Scowcroft and allies will have 60 days to collect signatures from at least 25% of voters who participated in the last general election – about 2,275 signatures.
If they succeed in collecting the signatures, the Town Council will have to order an election within 75 days after the completed petition is filed.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Recall of Narragansett Town Councilors sought over zoning regulations