City Plan Commission Meeting - May 12, 2026
City Plan Commission Meeting - May 12, 2026
The City Plan Commission met on May 12, 2026, to consider a change-of-use application for an event venue at 1016 Park Avenue and to discuss the housing element of the comprehensive plan. The meeting included staff presentations, public comment, commissioner deliberation, and votes on the venue application, with a continued hearing for final preliminary plan approval.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Annette Bourne (51 Community Drive): Expressed excitement about the housing plan discussion. Noted that the comprehensive plan is a 20-year tool and that population and household sizes differ. Emphasized that Rhode Island is a destination for Massachusetts residents, citing a recent homebuyer who moved from Somerville. Urged support for the Elmwood Corridor and historically denser neighborhoods.
- Marcia Fowler (35 Milton Avenue): A landlord with 25 years of experience, noted that multifamily units do not necessarily increase school populations (e.g., her Norwood Avenue property had only four children in 25 years, while another property had many). Suggested promoting senior housing (55+) on sites like Mulligan's Island. Advocated for better education of landlords about voucher programs, possibly through tax mailings. Supported building more multi-family homes to use land efficiently.
Discussion Items
- 1016 Park Avenue – Event Venue Application: The applicant sought a change of use from a dance studio to an event venue, requiring a variance for one off-street parking space and waivers for sidewalks, curbing, and landscaping. Staff (Ms. Valcourt) presented the proposal, noting the site's existing parking and an agreement with the abutting property at 1020 Park Avenue for overflow parking. The commission voted to grant the variance (motion by Commissioner Coop, seconded by Commissioner Mancini, passed unanimously) and to grant the waivers (motion by Commissioner Coop, seconded by Commissioner Calasante, passed unanimously). However, discussion revealed that the application required a separate preliminary plan approval, which had not been properly noticed on the agenda. The solicitor advised continuing the matter to the June 2 meeting to allow proper posting. The commission voted to continue (motion by Commissioner Coop, seconded by Commissioner Lampier, passed with Commissioner Carrero abstaining).
- Housing Element Discussion: Director U Ashman and Toby presented the draft housing element, focusing on production targets, fiscal implications, and policy options. Key points included the need to meet state goals: 1,367 new units by 2030 (205 low- and moderate-income) and a 10% LMI target over 20 years. Staff highlighted the Elmwood Corridor as the highest-yield area for new housing, with potential for 30–60 units per acre. Other policies included inclusionary zoning, ADUs, neighborhood consistency zoning, and mixed-use centers. Commissioner President Frias expressed skepticism about population growth projections, favoring the state's lower estimate (79,944 by 2045) and argued that the city is already over the 2030 goal without aggressive policies. He preferred focusing on Elmwood and deferring smaller lot splits and main street mixed-use. Commissioner Lampier supported the Elmwood corridor but raised concerns about school capacity and the burden on older, denser neighborhoods. She opposed reducing lot sizes in areas with diverse character, like Edgewood. Commissioner Coop emphasized fairness for property owners and urged caution, noting the potential economic slowdown. Public comment echoed support for the Elmwood corridor and highlighted the need for senior housing and landlord education. No final vote was taken; the commission will continue discussions in June.
Key Outcomes
- 1016 Park Avenue: The variance for one parking space and waivers for sidewalks, curbing, and landscaping were approved. The preliminary plan approval was continued to the June 2 meeting due to insufficient notice on the agenda. The applicant was advised that the two votes taken are valid but the final preliminary plan vote requires proper posting.
- Housing Element: The commission directed staff to continue refining the draft, with Commissioner President Frias advocating for use of the state's population projection and a more incremental approach. The matter will be revisited at the June 2 meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Um see we do have a quorum. Off we go. First item on our agenda is Ten Sixteen Park Avenue venue. Is the applicant here and wishes to be heard on this matter? Please state your name and address uh for the record. Good evening, members of Lords. My name is Jenny Alcantara from Latino Tex, um, eight oh one Park Avenue. Good afternoon. My name is Scott Delingomas. Um the owner of uh K Yeya Murray and ten sixteen Park Avenue. Okay. Uh is there anything you want to present to us at this point, or I'll just have the staff make a presentation, however, we you're more comfortable. They can make a presentation. Okay. Would the staff like to make a presentation then? With this thing. Yep. Thank you. This is the ten sixteen Park Avenue application for an event venue. I don't think that's my fault. This is a change of change of use from previously being a dance studio and now proposed to be an event venue. This application requires a variance from the parking standard for one off-street parking space. Okay, here's an aerial view of the parcel. We can see the zoning map is in the C4, future land use being highway commercial. The floor plans are above. Um the first one to the left is the existing, and the only difference between this and the proposed this both of these are the first floor plan existing and then proposed. The only difference being an elevator lift. Actually, I don't want to call it a platform lift because it's not an elevator, but um this has been um talked about with the building inspector, and it is conforming for ADA standards. Um there are no changes proposed to the second floor because it is out of scope. So um the second floor is to remain as it is existing. And with the standard for one space, one parking space for every three seats that calls for twelve parking spaces. Um that the site does allow for enough on-site parking, considering the large presence of parking in proximity to this lot. I wanted to kind of highlight just in case there was any curiosity about the ADA um parking standards, because this this change of use is being held to comply with accessibility. Um so with the back entrance being a lift entrance, that's how the um building complies in terms of entry. And then in terms of parking for accessibility, only one parking space is required to be handicapped accessible, and two were actually provided, one being a car space and another being a van accessible space. And the variance again just being for that one parking space, which I call out in the memo, seemingly um minimal in nature, considering most of the businesses around are um nine to five type businesses, and this one being primarily a weekend functioning business as well as evening functioning. And also highlighting the waivers being requested for landscape and sidewalks would be consistent with this area. I will note that the sidewalks are only being waived on Leyden Street because there are sidewalks on Park Ave. Um, none of the business, none of the neighboring businesses have sidewalks on Leyden Street. So this is not inconsistent. Um and landscaping is being required, is being um requested to be waived. There is no landscaping on the site, and any landscaping proposed would take away from the only parking that the site has. Staff recognizes that the existing layout has functioned on this site and would be reasonable to accommodate um this change of use. No changes to circulation, nothing that would affect the site itself or any abutting parcels either. All of the proposed parking spaces are conforming in size and dimension, and also conforming in the sense that um all vehicles would be entering and exiting the parcel in a forward-facing motion. I also made note that the applicant did receive an agreement from the abutting part property owner at 1020 park av to allow some overflow parking to park on their site if if ever necessary. The planning staff finds that this proposal is consistent with the comprehensive plan through a variety of goals and policies. And planning staff recommends um sorry, staff recommends to the city plan commission to adopt the findings of fact and approve the preliminary plan submitted under unified development review with the following variances and waivers. Variances being the application is granted relief from the off-street parking requirement, as well as a waiver for sidewalks and curbing. Okay, thank you.
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