NEWPORT – After years-long public debate, one of of two proposed Salve Regina residential halls will move forward, the Newport Zoning Board of Appeals determined late last week.
Board members passed the petition for one proposed building, the Watts Dormitory, 4-1, and denied the Wallace Dormitory petition 3-2 during a special meeting Dec. 8. The Watts approval also included conditions that the project must not exceed 10% lot coverage, and that the university must submit a comprehensive traffic study to the Newport Planning Board.
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University officials held that the project, proposed on Salve Regina property between between Ruggles and Victoria avenues, was in-line with zoning requirements and had a design befitting the Bellevue Avenue-Ochre Point/Cliffs neighborhood’s historic character. Additionally, Salve said, the project would generate 300 jobs and increase its payments to the city by $141,000.
But the residential halls raised objections from the city’s Historic District Commission and some members of the public, as well as legal challenges.
“Salve’s impact in this neighborhood and the city of Newport is profound,” said board member Russell Johnson, who voted for Watts and against Wallace.
“These dorms seek to bring members of Salve’s junior class back onto campus, thereby freeing up much-needed apartments and housing currently being rented by Salve students. So I look at these applications as an opportunity to build one dormitory, the Watts dormitory,” and to revise and resubmit an application for the Wallace Dormitory.
Zoning Board Chairperson Samuel Goldblatt was the only member to vote against both dormitories.
The applications had been under review for about five years.
In a statement, Salve Regina spokesperson Matt Boxler said the university is “thankful for the many hours of work the Zoning Board has given to our case and for the support in the community for our residence halls proposal. We also value the concerns expressed by our neighbors throughout this process.
“Our project team is currently reviewing these decisions and considering our next steps,” Boxler continued. “We are confident we will ultimately find a solution that benefits the university, our students, our neighbors and the community as a whole.”
Long-term, the university intends to accommodate 75% of its undergraduates in on-campus housing. Currently, Salve hosts about 60% on-campus, according to the university’s website.
Jacquelyn Voghel is a PBN staff writer. You may reach her at voghel@pbn.com.
