Providence City Council Committee on Ordinance Meeting - October 22, 2025

The Providence City Council Committee on Ordinance met on October 22, 2025, at 6:00 PM under Chairman Pedro Espinal to consider several zoning changes and amendments to the entertainment and cannabis ordinances. The meeting featured extensive public testimony on the proposed entertainment ordinance changes, which were continued to a future date. Zone changes for four properties and a cannabis ordinance alignment were approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On item 5 (268 Carpenter Street zone change), petitioner Americo Scungio appeared and clarified the amended petition.
• On item 7 (1 Charles Street zone change), attorney Jeffrey Padwa and property owner Carlos Varum spoke in favor, describing the building's history and compliance.
• On item 1 (entertainment ordinance), numerous residents and business owners testified. Supporters included Chris Spartini, George Lazz, Robert Pelucci, Alex Tomaso, John Martinez, and Jason Armanson, who argued that the changes would support small businesses, artists, and the city's creative economy without causing excessive noise if properly enforced. Opponents included Linda Perry, Cynthia Pauliano, Dylan Peacock, Mickey Kitzich, and Cheryl Peacock, who detailed enforcement failures, noise complaints, and the disproportionate impact on working-class neighborhoods. They called for stronger enforcement before expanding privileges. Sharon Steele criticized the lack of input from neighborhood leaders and the timing of the hearing.

Discussion Items

• Item 2 – Zone Change for DeSoto Street Lots (R3 to MMU): Robert Azer, Deputy Director of Planning and Development, presented the petition. The lots are occupied by industrial businesses and adjacent to a mixed-use zone. The City Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval. No public testimony. The committee voted to approve as amended (the substitute).
• Item 4 – Zone Change for 118 Silver Lake Avenue (R3 to C3): Azer explained the property is an auto repair facility operating without proper zoning. CPC recommended approval with conditions: screening, canopy coverage, and a footnote limiting use to vehicle repair and service. No public testimony. The committee adopted the footnote amendment and approved.
• Item 5 – Zone Change for 268 Carpenter Street (R3 to C2): Azer said the lot is surrounded by C2 zoning and used commercially. The CPC recommended approval. Petitioner Americo Scungio confirmed the amended petition. No other public testimony. Approved as amended.
• Item 6 – Zone Change for 1155 Westminster Street (C2 to R3): The petitioner requested withdrawal. The committee closed the hearing and continued indefinitely.
• Item 7 – Zone Change for 1 Charles Street (R4 to D145): Azer explained the property is a historic mill building used for short-term rentals, adjacent to downtown. CPC recommended approval. Attorney Jeffrey Padwa and owner Carlos Varum spoke in favor. The committee approved with a vote of 3-1 (Councilman Royas opposed).
• Item 1 – Entertainment Ordinance Amendments: Azer and Director Joe Wilson Jr. presented the proposed changes to incidental and temporary entertainment definitions. Incidental entertainment would allow live music, amplified music, dancing, and remove limits on performers, but maintain curfews and noise limits. Temporary entertainment would require a license from the Board of Licenses, limit events to nine per year with a maximum of three days and 30-day gaps. Extensive public testimony followed. Councilman Vargas proposed an amendment to include Fridays and the night before a city holiday in the 11 PM curfew (instead of 9 PM Sunday-Thursday). Councilwoman Peterson proposed an amendment to explicitly include trivia and karaoke as incidental entertainment. Both amendments were adopted by voice vote. The committee then voted to continue the item to a future meeting without a final vote.
• Item 3 – Cannabis Ordinance Amendments: Azer explained the changes respond to state law requiring municipal approval before state application. A clerical amendment to prefix cannabis uses with "cannabis" in the use table was adopted. No public testimony. The item was continued to a future meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Item 2: Approved (unanimous voice vote) – Zone change from R3 to MMU for three lots on DeSoto Street.
• Item 4: Approved (unanimous) – Zone change from R3 to C3 for 118 Silver Lake Avenue, with footnote limiting use to vehicle repair and service.
• Item 5: Approved (unanimous) – Zone change from R3 to C2 for 268 Carpenter Street.
• Item 6: Continued indefinitely upon petitioner's withdrawal request.
• Item 7: Approved (3-1 vote) – Zone change from R4 to D145 for 1 Charles Street. Councilman Royas opposed.
• Item 1: Continued to a future meeting (likely early November) after public hearing closed and two amendments adopted: (1) incidental entertainment curfew: 9 PM Sunday-Thursday, 11 PM Friday, Saturday, and night before city holiday; (2) trivia and karaoke added to definition of incidental entertainment.
• Item 3: Continued to a future meeting after clerical amendment adopted.