Providence City Plan Commission, September 20, 2022 meeting

The meeting began with a roll call of the commissioners and legal counsel present. The commission then reviewed and unanimously approved the minutes from the August 30, 2022 meeting.

Staff discussed upcoming meeting dates, scheduling conflicts due to early voting, and the need for a special meeting to address a backlog of zoning change requests. Commissioners also discussed the importance of RSVPing for meetings to ensure a quorum and coordinate dinner orders.

The applicant presented a preliminary plan for a five-story, 44-unit affordable residential building. After discussing the concentration of low-income housing in the neighborhood and environmental drainage plans, the commission voted to approve the preliminary plan.

The applicant requested a zone change from MMU 75 to M 1 to bring an existing self-storage facility into conformance and allow for a modest expansion. The commission voted to recommend approval of the zone change to the City Council, with a condition prohibiting compassion centers on the property.

The applicant proposed a minor subdivision of a 9,500-square-foot lot to construct a new duplex next to an existing two-family home. Despite objections from an abutting neighbor regarding green space and health concerns, the commission approved the dimensional variance and the minor subdivision.

The commission took a brief fifteen-minute recess to allow members to use the facilities and eat dinner. The meeting was called back to order shortly after 7:05 PM.

The applicant requested a minor subdivision and dimensional relief to construct a new three-family dwelling on a newly created lot. The commission approved the dimensional variance and the minor subdivision, subject to the condition that the lot line be adjusted to increase the lot area.

The applicant petitioned to rezone two lots from R 3 to C 1 with a residential-only restriction to build a nine-unit multifamily building. The commission voted to recommend rezoning the property to R 4 instead of C 1, while urging the City Council to pass proposed R 4 ordinance updates.

The applicant proposed an ordinance amendment to allow the conversion of static billboards to electronic message signs in exchange for removing twice the square footage of existing signage. Following a discussion on driver distraction, safety studies, and enforcement challenges, the commission voted to recommend denial of the petition.

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made and seconded after all agenda items were completed. The motion passed unanimously, officially concluding the session.