The council is considering an application from shellfish farmer Jeffrey Gardner to add 3 acres to his commercial operation. Some of his neighbors oppose the plan.
Instead of voting on the application, which according to aquaculture coordinator David Alves has met all the requirements for approval, the coastal council voted to continue the hearing until after Gardner has met with neighbors and other opponents.
"The council felt like this might be a good opportunity to sit down, discuss it, come to an understanding of some of the issues and maybe make changes," council spokeswoman Laura Ricketson-Dwyer said.
"There are things that can be worked out," Gardner said last night. He traded phone numbers and e-mail addresses with objectors outside Tuesday night’s meeting in Providence.
"We’ll meet at somebody’s house," he said, "and look at a map." He has a 4-foot-by-5-foot aerial survey map of the pond that he and objectors were using during their 45-minute discussion in the hall.
Aquaculture expansion plan hits a snag
US - The state Coastal Resources Management Council has delayed a vote on expanding aquaculture in Winnapaug Pond.