Cranston City Plan Commission Meeting - July 7, 2026
Cranston City Plan Commission Meeting - July 7, 2026
The Cranston City Plan Commission met on July 7, 2026, at 22:24 UTC. The meeting covered approval of minutes, a subdivision extension, a resubdivision with zoning relief, two zoning board recommendations, a legislative agenda discussion, and a director's report. The commission voted on several items, with public comment heard on three applications.
Approval of Minutes
- The minutes from the June 2, 2026 meeting were approved with a formatting correction. Commissioner Barberi abstained, not having been present at that meeting.
Consent Calendar
- No items were designated as a consent calendar.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Michael Luciano (26 Turner Avenue) spoke against the 21 Turner Avenue resubdivision, citing previous denials by the zoning board, concerns about precedent, and neighborhood character. He later attempted to comment on the 90 Wheeler Avenue item but was redirected.
- Elizabeth Guest (36 Moran Street) spoke against the Lanona construction at 0 and 235 Beckwood Street, arguing it violates zoning intent, creates safety and infrastructure strains, increases stormwater runoff, and represents a self-created hardship.
- No public comment was offered on the legislative agenda or director's report.
Discussion Items
199 Gladstone Avenue Subdivision Extension
- Applicant Andrew Cormier requested a one-year extension of preliminary approval (expiring August 5, 2026) to August 5, 2027, due to personal delays. No public comment. The commission unanimously approved the extension.
21 Turner Avenue Resubdivision
- Applicant Richard Cardello (represented by Robert Murray) proposed reconfiguring three lots (14,000 sq ft total) into two lots: 8,000 sq ft (with existing house) and 6,000 sq ft (new building lot). A side yard setback variance of 4.3 feet (relief of 3.7 feet) was needed for the existing house. Staff found the proposal consistent with the comprehensive plan. Public comment opposed. The commission approved the variance and subdivision, with conditions: waiver of sidewalks but not curbing, and payment of impact fees. Votes were unanimous via voice vote.
Lanona Construction at 0 and 235 Beckwood Street
- Attorney Richard Posha represented the applicant. The proposal seeks to subdivide two contiguous lots (10,000 sq ft total) to create a new single-family lot (5,000 sq ft) with relief for side setback and frontage. Staff recommended positive recommendations to the zoning board. Public comment opposed. The commission voted positive recommendations for both lots (0 Beckwood and 235 Beckwood) with voice votes.
250 Smithfield LC at 90 and 0 Wheeler Avenue
- Robert Murray represented the applicant. The proposal involves unmerging two lots: retaining a four-unit building on a 6,075 sq ft lot (needs relief from 18,000 sq ft requirement) and building a new two-family on an 11,216 sq ft lot, with shared parking and a driveway easement. Staff recommended positive recommendations. After discussion, Commissioner Lampier moved for negative recommendations, citing inconsistency with the comprehensive plan and neighborhood character. The motion passed for 90 Wheeler Avenue (seconded by Director Carrero) and for 0 Wheeler Avenue (seconded by Commissioner Mancini). Both votes were voice votes with ayes prevailing.
Legislative Agenda Discussion
- Assistant Director Bruggerman presented state law changes from the 2026 session, including H8004 (technical amendments to subdivision and zoning), H8005 (parking requirement reductions near transit stops), and single-issue bills. Staff proposed updates to the zoning ordinance (use table simplification, development plan review, landscaping standards) and fee adjustments for administrative subdivisions. No vote was taken; the commission will prepare ordinance changes.
City Planning Director's Report
- Director reported on the tree canopy study (free trees in wards 2 and 3), mixed-use centers corridors workshop, and Main Street learning cohort. A draft housing plan will be presented in August.
Key Outcomes
- Approved minutes of June 2, 2026.
- Granted one-year extension for 199 Gladstone Avenue subdivision.
- Approved 21 Turner Avenue resubdivision with variance and conditions (sidewalk waiver, curbing required, impact fees).
- Recommended positive to the Zoning Board of Review for Lanona construction at 0 and 235 Beckwood Street.
- Recommended negative to the Zoning Board of Review for 250 Smithfield LC at 90 and 0 Wheeler Avenue.
- Took no action on legislative agenda; staff will prepare ordinance amendments.
Meeting Transcript
Um call on the meeting of the uh Kranson City Plan Commission to order. First of all, happy fourth of July to everybody. Um I hope you all celebrated your country, the greatest country on Earth's birthday. Um so as we get started here, uh approval of the minutes. Uh there any any edits to the minutes for the June 2nd, 2026 meeting. Okay, I see none. Um the only edit I have, it's my own mistake. It's a type not a typographical, it's just a formatting issue on page four. There's a black bullet point and a couple of dots. So could you just eliminate it? I don't have to make an an edit, it's just a formatting thing. So that's all it is. That was my mistake on when I redlined it. Okay. Other than that, is there a motion to approve the minutes? Motion made by uh director Carrero, you were a second. Second by uh Dave Exter. All those in favor signify by saying aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it, and Commissioner Barberi is abstaining, he was not present at that meeting. Okay. Um second is the next on our agenda is the one ninety-nine Gladstone Avenue subdivision. Is someone here and wishes to be heard on this matter? Yes. Uh good evening, Mr. Chairman, members of the board. Uh my name is Andrew Cormier. I'm here on behalf of the applicants Conrado Sanchez and Delane Rodriguez Benedict. Hello, check it out. Check. You hear me okay? All right. Yeah, thank you. Um again, my name's Andrew Cormier. Um I'm here on behalf of the applicants, Conrado Sanchez and Delane Rodriguez Benitez. Uh last August, uh the applicants received minor uh subdivision approval with uh dimensional relief um for a subdivision. Um due to some personal circumstances. Uh you know, they were uh initially delayed getting plans final plans together. They've hired an architect to assist with um the final plans. Um and we're asking that that plan the preliminary approval be extended. Okay, thank you. Are there any questions for the applicant? Uh does the staff have anything they'd like to add at this point about the request for an extension? Um the uh original approval expires August fifth, twenty twenty-six and the extension would be one year exactly to August fifth, twenty twenty-seven. All right. If there's no questions for anyone, uh motion to grant the extension would be in order. Motion made by Commissioner Coop, seconded by Commissioner Massini. Any discussion. Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. All those opposed say nay.
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