The Providence Committee on Ordinance met on September 14, 2026, at 5:37 PM. Two items were on the agenda: Item 2 (zoning map change) was taken out of order and continued; Item 1 (billboard removal incentive) received extensive discussion and testimony. The meeting adjourned at approximately [unknown time] after both items were continued to October 13, 2026.
Good evening, everyone. Welcome to committee on ordinance. The five is the time is five thirty-seven, and today it's September 14th. Madam Clerk, would you please call the role? Chairman Espino. Present. Vice Chairwoman Peterson. Present. Councilwoman Harris is absent. Councilman Bargas. That's all that is. Present. Councillor Royus. Present. For present one asked him. You have a quorum. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Okay, the first thing that I'd like to do, because I I there's only two items on the agenda, so we should move rather quickly. But there is one item that I will be taking out of order, so we'll hear that first. So I'll entertain a motion to take item number two out of order. Made by Councillor Peterson, second by Councilman Vargas. All in favor, aye. Opposed, the ayes have it. Madam Clerk, um item number two, please. Item two. Petition from Jeffrey Mark Aude, owner of JC 131 Realty LC and President of EW Auda and Sons Inc. requesting to change the official zoning map of the city of Providence by changing the zoning district from various properties from M-MU to M-1. And to change the language in section 1202H of the zoning ordinance to add a subsection section four to read as follows. So we want to hear from both sides. But uh for now we will be continuing this to a day that is certain uh so that we don't have to re-advertise. So the next day will be October 13th at 5 30 p.m. So with that said, I'll let I'll entertain a motion to continue item number two. So move to a date, sir, and of October 13th at 5 30. We have a councilman Vargas, second by Councillor Peterson. All in favor, aye. Opposed, yes, have it. Thank you. Madam Clerk, uh item number one, please. Item one petition from Dylan Cohn Esquire, Rhode Island land use law of one twenty-three Dyer Street, suite three B Providence, Rhode Island, zero two nine zero three, requesting an amendment to the official zoning ordinance of the City of Providence by adding a new subsection to the text of two zero zero five section F billboards removal inventive. Thank you. If you're here to speak on this item, item number one. Otherwise, uh, Mr. Aza, please, would you like to present on this? Thank you. Good afternoon. Good evening. Uh Mr. Chair, members of the committee, my name is Robert Azar. I'm the deputy director of the Department of Planning and Development. I'm here to uh give an overview of this ordinance and to speak to the City Plan Commission's review of it and their recommendation to you.