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Westerly
Town of Westerly Zoning Ordinance
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§ 260-87.1

Development standards for oceanfront historic hotels

[Added 10-12-2004 by Ch. No. 1510]

  • A. The following development standards are applicable to the development of an oceanfront historic hotel at the location of The Ocean House, south side of Bluff Avenue and Westerly Road:
    • (1) The site is located within the Watch Hill National Register Historic District. The existing hotel structure thereon is a significant historic structure within said district.
    • (2) The oldest and most historically significant portion of the existing Ocean House building consists of that portion of the building viewed from Bluff Avenue. These include:
      • (a) The four-story elevation and facade facing Bluff Avenue together with its mansard roof and covered main entrance;
      • (b) The central tower together with its unique roof line and dormers;
      • (c) The mansard roof with dormers on the west as visible from Bluff Avenue, together with the four bays extending from the tower toward the ocean as historically existed;
      • (d) The columned porches that extend along the north and western sides of the building;
      • (e) The mansard-roof ell that extends east from the main entrance; and
      • (f) The exterior yellow and white building colors.
    • (3) The criteria hereinafter set forth are intended to regulate any renovation, restoration and/or replacement of that structure by identifying those elements which are required to be preserved or accurately replicated.
      • (a) Porches. The porches, both open and enclosed, that surround the building are important in defining its architectural character. The existing size of the porches; their depth and height; their chunky railings and columns; the graceful curve along the side porch and at the two-story entrance porch; the multi-paned windows in the enclosed porches all contribute to the building's historic character and should be preserved or replicated accurately.
      • (b) Architectural trim. The architectural trim, such as the deep-set modillioned cornice, the simple yet substantially proportioned trim around the windows, and the bold corner pilasters and pulvinated frieze on the tower are all character-defining features that should be preserved or replicated accurately. This condition shall apply to all structure(s) on the property.
      • (c) Fenestration and glazing. The size, spacing and muntin pattern of the existing guest room windows are all-important features of the historic appearance of the Ocean House and should be preserved or replicated accurately. If replaced, to the greatest extent possible, the windows and doors should replicate 6/6 or 2/2 glazing patterns found on the existing hotel. This includes window grids that may be true-divided lights or may be window grids that are applied to the exterior of the window and have a three-dimensional trapezoidal profile. Interior applied grids or grids that are sandwiched between two panes of glass do not adequately replicate the appearance of historic sash. This condition shall apply to all structure(s) on the property.
      • (d) Interior features. Individual features, such as the fireplace mantels, the reception desk and staircase, are desirable to preserve in place or salvage for reuse. On the first floor, cased columns, beamed ceilings, wall paneling, and window type and pattern should be preserved or replicated accurately.
      • (e) Balconies. The balcony over the front door is an important historic feature to retain or accurately replicate. Any other balcony visible from Bluff Avenue will be limited to those which historically existed.
      • (f) Floor-to-floor heights. Externally the appearance of the existing floor-to-floor heights, along with the size, spacing and scale of the windows visible from Bluff Avenue should be preserved or replicated accurately to preserve the building's overall appearance.
      • (g) Bluff Avenue entrance. The relationship of the main entrance to elevation of Bluff Avenue is important and is to be preserved or replicated.
      • (h) Site foundation. Any beach stone foundation visible from Bluff Avenue should be preserved or replicated. Any replication may be accomplished by using such beach stone as a facade to a foundation of other material.
      • (i) Ocean visibility.
        • [1] The public visibility of the Atlantic Ocean from Bluff Avenue is important. Therefore, the height of any structure located within 120 feet of the western boundary of the property shall not exceed the elevation of 45 feet NGVD (five feet below the existing street elevation of Bluff Avenue); provided, however, that the Planning Board may permit an open-air structure for public sitting and viewing.
        • [2] Enhancing the visibility of the Atlantic Ocean from Westerly Road is also an important consideration. Therefore, the height of any structure located within 60 feet of the eastern boundary of the property shall also not exceed the elevation of 45 feet NGVD; provided, however, that the Planning Board may permit an open-air structure for public sitting and viewing.
      • (j) Fireplaces. A reasonable effort shall be made to preserve the fireplaces and mantels located in the main lobby and in the dining room, including consideration of relocating and reusing the fireplace in a portion of the building that is being preserved or rebuilt.
      • (k) Building location and height. Limited by the foregoing, structures may otherwise be erected, renovated, restored, replicated and/or replaced on the property. To the extent the present location of any structure does not meet the minimum dimensional regulations of the LDR-43 Zoning District, that location shall nevertheless be permitted. The Planning Board may, through its development plan review process, allow structure(s) within the front and/or cornerside setbacks, provided the total area of encroachment is less than the area of encroachment in these areas by the preexisting structure(s). For purposes of applying § 260-19 and this section, the maximum building height is established as 134 feet NGVD.

        [Amended 5-22-2006 by Ch. No. 1775]

      • (l) Maximum building coverage. The existing building surface coverage on the site, 33,879 square feet, shall not be exceeded. This shall not include any external stairs or apply to any subsurface structure for parking, drainage, mechanical systems, access and egress, etc. Space located above a structured parking/mechanical level and below lobby level outside terrace(s) including pool(s) shall not be considered in this calculation.

        [Amended 5-22-2006 by Ch. No. 1775]

      • (m) Building siding. The building siding shall be wooden clapboard, "Hardiplank" or similar product. No vinyl or metal siding is permitted. Man-made materials may be used to replicate other features required above. The existing exterior yellow siding and white trim building colors will be replicated.
      • (n) Landscaped buffer. Any side yard setback areas applicable to the historic hotel use on the property shall be vegetated and maintained as a landscaped buffer.