North Kingstown EDAB Forum on Growth and Quality of Life - November 16, 2021

On November 16, 2021, the North Kingstown Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) hosted a public forum titled "Growth and Quality of Life" to discuss balancing development with preserving the town's character. The meeting featured presentations from Scott Wolfe, Executive Director of Grow Smart Rhode Island, and Nicole Lafontaine, Director of Planning and Community Development, followed by a public comment period. Approximately 50 residents attended, along with several town council members, the town manager, and state legislators.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Donna Lico (62 Edgewood Drive) urged the town to adopt ordinances regulating artificial light pollution and tall trees on property lines, stating that current rules do not protect neighbors' access to sunlight or prevent intrusive lighting.
• Clarice Willis (61 Chaplin Street) raised concerns about trees blocking views and suggested a lightweight electric shuttle system for local transit, noting that current large buses are often underutilized.
• Ricky Thompson (194 Plain Road) asked whether EDAB would recommend that boards and commissions adhere to the town's comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances, and whether EDAB would participate in decisions on spending COVID-19 relief funds. He stated that he often observes deviations from the comp plan.
• Nancy Sherman proposed a shuttle bus from Wickford Junction to Wickford Village and Quonset, and better use of Wilson Park and the pedestrian bridge to connect to the village. She also suggested renting parking from the Wickford Baptist Church.
• Conrad Squirtle (Ferry Road, Saunderstown) expressed concern about Reynolds Farm, describing it as a "cityscape" that undermines the rural character of North Kingstown. He questioned whether the town had control over the approval process and noted that the project was approved in stages.
• John McGee (25 Power Street, Wickford Village) shared his experience moving from Montauk, New York, where rapid growth and second-home purchases eroded the year-round community, including schools and youth activities. He emphasized that attracting and retaining young families is critical to maintaining a vibrant community.
• Matt McCoy (381 Potter Road) advocated for data-driven planning using the 2020 Census and noted that older residents are leaving town due to financial pressures. He asked whether the comprehensive plan accounts for changing demographics.
• An unnamed speaker expressed disappointment at the lack of young people in attendance, stressed the need to attract them, and called for a "tsunami" of redevelopment on Post Road to make it more attractive to businesses. He also noted that planning processes take too long and that leadership changes make accountability difficult.
• Kevin Maloney (78 Wickham Road) praised the town's handling of solar development but criticized deviations from the comp plan, such as adding "and proposed" to allow development outside existing areas, and a car dealership built over a reservoir. He also warned against proposed changes to the groundwater ordinance that would allow hazardous uses over the town's drinking water reservoirs.
• Another John (25 South Road, likely the same as earlier) emphasized that the comprehensive plan lacks teeth and that zoning variances often contradict it. He urged better communication on zoning amendments and noted that slow growth still leads to significant loss of open space over decades.

Discussion Items

• Scott Wolfe (Grow Smart Rhode Island) presented a framework for smart growth, arguing that some growth is inevitable and that the key is to grow by choice, not by chance. He advocated for concentrating development in or near downtowns, main streets, village centers, and transit hubs (e.g., Wickford Junction, Post Road) while preserving farmland, forest land, and waterways. He stated that growth can be a positive force if it is compact, mixed-use, and reuses existing properties. He also noted that North Kingstown has excess school capacity and that the assumption that new housing inevitably burdens schools is often flawed. He warned that overly restrictive growth policies can harm economic development and drive away young families.
• Nicole Lafontaine (Planning Director) explained the complex regulatory framework governing development, including state legislation, the town's comprehensive plan, zoning ordinances, and public input. She described the historical evolution of North Kingstown from an agricultural community to its current mix of rural, suburban, and industrial areas. She emphasized that the town's strategy is to focus growth on Post Road and other areas with existing infrastructure, and that the town cannot dictate specific types of housing or businesses. She noted that the comprehensive plan is the "Bible" for guiding decisions, but it is implemented through a public process involving elected and appointed officials.

Key Outcomes

• EDAB committed to summarizing the public input and forwarding it to the town council for consideration.
• No formal votes or decisions were taken; the meeting was a forum for discussion and education.
• Several participants called for stricter adherence to the comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances, and for greater public involvement in planning processes.
• The town council member present (Greg Mancini) indicated that the council welcomes citizen input and is working on issues such as weekend train service at Wickford Junction and a potential shuttle to the village.