1292 Westminster at CPC with new parking proposal

Above: A&P Auto at 334 Carpenter Street / Image ©2018 Google (image capture: Aug 2017)

CPC HEARING THIS TUESDAY, FEB 20, 2018, AT 4:45PM

Details of City Plan Commission Meeting
What: Public Hearing of 1292 Westminster
When: Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at 4:45pm
Where: 444 Westminster Street, 1st Floor Conference Room (Joseph A. Doorley, Jr. Municipal Building)

On Tuesday, February 20, developers of 1292 Westminster Street come before the Providence City Plan Commission (CPC) again seeking Preliminary Plan approval, the last stage in the City's review process, for a proposed 5 story building with retail on the ground floor, 35 market rate residences, and 22 parking spaces. The development previously received a "dimensional adjustment" from the 4 story zoning restriction. 

The project was last heard on November 14, 2017, when owner-applicant Mike Lemoi sought a dimensional adjustment for reduction in the amount of required parking. He also requested waivers from submission of all required state approvals as well as the following required plans: grading and utility, drainage, erosion and sediment control, photometric, site maintenance, and detailed landscaping.

After the commission near unanimously voted down a motion to waive these plans and approvals (minutes from that meeting here), the applicant requested and was granted a continuance until January 2018, and then again until this month.

Lemoi is again requesting a dimensional adjustment for reduction in the amount of required parking as well as a waiver from submission of all state approvals at this month's meeting. But he is proposing to provide 16 of the parking spaces required at an accessory parking lot located at A&P Auto, 334 Carpenter Street, which he purchased last month along with an adjacent property at 170 Courtland Street for $600,000.

A&P Auto has been the source of neighbor and police department complaints for several decades, and continues to operate beyond the scope of its licensing and zoning, in spite of its license being temporarily suspended in 2009. Ongoing complaints about this business include blocking car and pedestrian traffic, illegal parking, long term vehicle storage and salvage activities for which it is not licensed, exceeding the maximum allowable vehicles on the property, and concerns about illegal dumping and environmental hazards.

It is unclear if the auto repair business will continue to operate on the site or if a gym will be built in addition to 16 parking spots being provided for 1292 Westminster Street. Reports have varied. Given the deplorable condition of the site, it will be important to understand the timing and process of the environmental remediation of the property and to fully understand the plans for the site.  

Neighbors are encouraged to take part in what happens at 1292 Westminster Street and at 334 Carpenter Street. Tuesday's public hearing is a chance to be engaged in a public process that impacts our neighborhood. Come out, have a seat at our neighborhood's "planning table," and make your voice heard!
 

RELATED DOCUMENTS

  • Agenda for Providence City Plan Commission meeting on February 20, 2018
  • Minutes from November 14, 2017, CPC meeting
  • Plans for 1292 Westminster submitted to HDC (October 10, 2017)
  • Parking Plan for 334 Carpenter Street (January 2018)
     

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