Council Passes Zone Change For 17-Unit Crompton Ave. Complex

With Councilor Henry Boezi the only no vote, the Town Council  approved the second reading of an ordinance to change the zoning at 60 Crompton Avenue from light industrial office to residential. Boezi said he wanted more information. 

The building on the site, which overlooks the town boat ramp, transfer station and sewage treatment plant, was built as office space. The interior of the building is unfinished and East Greenwich Acquisitions, the third owner, says there is no market for offices but they can get financing for apartments. They are proposing 17 units, three of which would meet the requirement for affordable housing.

Several area residents questioned whether the site is big enough for what is proposed and Bob Laforge, a Cove Commission member speaking for himself, had concerns about landscaping details that had been worked out with a previous developer.

John Mancini, the attorney for East Greenwich Acquisitions, said parking requirements for the site are substantially less for residential than industrial zoning and Council President Michael Isaacs said the Planning Board would have final say on landscaping and other details for the site.

A final reading and vote on the proposed change is scheduled for Sept. 12.

In other business, the council heard that some finishing details on Fry Brook and Long Meadow Farms subdivisions have not been carried out by the developer of those projects - Tom Primeau - and the Public Works Department and Town Solicitor will be proceeding against the bond to get the work wrapped up.

Approval was given to proceed on a bond issue of $1 million for various road-related projects. Voters approved that expenditure in the election last November.

The council also approved an emergency ordinance banning parking on the east site of Rector Street along Academy Field in response to Police Department concerns about children darting across the street between parked cars after ball games. The emergency ordinance is only good for 90 days, so the council also gave first reading and introduction to a permanent ordinance.

Bill Stone, an existing alternate, was appointed to the Planning Board and William Daly was re-appointed as a member of the Affordable Housing Commission.

The Town Council next meets on Aug. 25.