[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6099049,"mediaKeyId","2821719-43a2138acb9f8591b036be84dccf17d7","parentId",2821719,"title","Planning commission debates two‑family and small multifamily standards for R‑20 zone; staff to draft code changes","audioSeconds",683,"startMs",893000,"endMs",1576000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2821719-43a2138acb9f8591b036be84dccf17d7&start=893&end=1576","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2821719-43a2138acb9f8591b036be84dccf17d7/thumbnail_893000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6099049/Rhode-Island/Planning-commission-debates-twofamily-and-small-multifamily-standards-for-R20-zone-staff-to-draft-code-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099049-31cf9983f226340f71806c379fe87ea8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770486096&Signature=cT6iOGwc30kTBgzvNmFN5EdPojwcNM2V9k3zHQYYrUVwDpunIYexo3-DSgnTWMpxVA1QrQp8GQGS5y4ifnyTMR15N~Bsg~rjU~DlDj4RFDVf~HnQJUo0sPtzWfU9Lk5rbrUxkvHFP~qbvhJRIz68zdh2LTTG9Q4w-aaqmp6lZw99~f81vPN~yy9PkWES8MIvp5C4VP5z8IJByg-XTicufDmUdCokkQwmARCzCpYC6YDWER0L3RY6ojLwQygVWUEW7bB0fdiqX68FlVSqOr9NM73jJuv~zI9bwnD69aGe5iZwFO1eIFTGQtLsUzvTEh7lFTwZcYqtRS3eLbP1xWJkMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Coventry Rhode Island","date","2025-03-26T00:00:00Z","article","During the director’s report, the Coventry Planning Commission held an extended, detailed discussion about whether and how to allow two‑family and small multi‑family housing in the town’s R‑20 residential zone and how to treat larger multifamily projects.

Director Doug (Planning Department) framed the policy choices and said staff had already developed a preliminary direction. “The town has made a loose commitment that we wanted to be part of the next round of department of business regulations licensing for a potential license for a cannabis dispensary in Coventry,” Doug said when summarizing other coming items, then turned to housing. On multifamily, he told the commission the staff’s intent was to allow some small‑scale multifamily in appropriate locations while preserving neighborhood character.

Commission discussion covered specific metrics staff might propose: a 50‑foot minimum separation distance structure‑to‑structure for two‑family buildings; 75 to 100 feet for 3‑to‑5‑unit projects (commissioners discussed 100 feet as a working figure); and a minimum 20‑foot landscaped buffer between multifamily and single‑family properties with a requirement that the buffer be supplemented where it does not provide an adequate visual screen. Commissioners and staff flagged parking layout, headlights, year‑round screening, and the difference between property‑line setbacks and structure‑to‑structure separation as key technical issues to resolve. The group also discussed allowing multiple two‑family buildings on a single parcel while limiting maximum units per individual building to preserve a lower visual scale.

Doug and staff emphasized constraints that affect feasibility, including available sewers or potable water and on‑site wastewater limitations in high water‑table areas. Commissioners repeatedly noted that the town needs tools to protect existing single‑family neighbors — for example, stronger screening, minimum separation distances, design standards (pitched roofs, facade articulation), and requirements to replace any landscaping that fails.

Several policy alternatives received attention: keeping multifamily density primarily in commercial or industrial zones, using the existing comp‑permit (comprehensive‑permit) route for larger projects in exchange for affordable units, or creating a revised zoning/subdivision approach that allows modest multifamily by right in selected R‑20 locations but requires higher review or variances for larger proposals.

No formal vote was taken; staff will prepare draft code language that reflects the commission’s direction and return to a future meeting. Doug said staff will present a refined proposal that breaks multifamily into categories (for example, two‑family; 3–5 units; 6–10 units) and will include proposed separation distances, buffers, and design standards for commissioner review.

Why it matters: The discussion directly shapes local implementation of state housing and land‑use policy, affects where and how the town can accommodate new housing supply, and sets the rules developers and property owners must follow. Commissioners balanced neighborhood‑scale protections with the town’s goal to provide additional housing opportunities and to secure affordable units through negotiations with applicants.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Coventry Planning Commission - 26 Mar 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners spent an extended portion of the meeting discussing a draft approach to allowing two‑family and small multifamily housing in the R‑20 residential zone, focusing on separation distances, landscape buffers, parking and where larger projects should be concentrated; staff will return with proposed code language.","taxTitle","Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island","taxId",79575,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6099053,"Commission grants preliminary approval for 9,000-square-foot industrial building at 1600 Flat River Road",242,600000,842000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2821719-43a2138acb9f8591b036be84dccf17d7&start=600&end=842","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2821719-43a2138acb9f8591b036be84dccf17d7/thumbnail_600000.jpg","/articles/6099053/Rhode-Island/Commission-grants-preliminary-approval-for-9000-square-foot-industrial-building-at-1600-Flat-River-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099053-473d4f478a10bd74e88c803b77bf2ab0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770486096&Signature=V9g1lHPVeqhIK~BQszcaTgG6lsGrr78tRZFHkN0mJpucnQIPS7yT1moSq5s7NG4vEizJ99R~nMHIFLT0bs1Y0nZwB~Z8CShQsdRQsjS0OxolsfiLt6jkeDqk7ZlT5yNbbS4zYO~R0POdkyhe2Jqky11X~UEO2xE1~vYWTPd7QJLJFzvyZs5Itw-WBLMlGL~mx8rSVNgYIIajpOEtDXdK9a7IwYWp-~JCXZeaWVPluj3ZtL-Kj5wVHd~kh33a21FCKNOoBlOCyISpfyyfebmSBAD2gMmIo~PHtT48unjLwHgWULQuD7bHJTm3kZNWP69Oirt8Z9Hh5BNuxONkjBYysg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coventry Planning Commission voted to approve a preliminary plan for a 9,000-square-foot industrial building on the southeastern corner of a roughly 3.36-acre site at 1600 Flat River Road (Plat 60, Lot 12, Zone I‑1).

Ron Hampton, the project engineer, told the commission the application had already cleared technical-review comments and that the board had granted a dimensional variance at a prior meeting. “There’s really not much to add,” Hampton said.

Commissioner Colonie made the motion to approve the preliminary plan as submitted by BJK Realty LLC; Commissioner Smith seconded. The motion includes three conditions: strict adherence to the previously granted dimensional variance application, strict adherence to the industrial performance‑standards narrative included in the packet, and replacement and long‑term maintenance of any landscaping that does not survive. The motion was amended on the floor to allow final approval to be completed administratively; commissioners approved the amended motion on a voice vote.

Why it matters: The site is in the town’s I‑1 industrial zone. The board noted the dimensional variance and technical-review items were resolved; the conditions preserve the board’s expectations for performance standards and long‑term landscaping maintenance.

Final administrative approval will follow the planning department’s confirmation that the submitted final plans match the conditions adopted at this hearing.","The Coventry Planning Commission approved the preliminary plan for a 9,000-square-foot industrial building on Plat 60, Lot 12 (1600 Flat River Road) subject to three staff-recommended conditions and administrative final approval.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6099058,"Planning commission approves one-year extension for Woodland Manor 3 preliminary plan",294,293000,587000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2821719-43a2138acb9f8591b036be84dccf17d7&start=293&end=587","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2821719-43a2138acb9f8591b036be84dccf17d7/thumbnail_293000.jpg","/articles/6099058/Rhode-Island/Planning-commission-approves-one-year-extension-for-Woodland-Manor-3-preliminary-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099058-37baa1e60651d51f60060b2d65b873fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770486096&Signature=lKanlDI~YZOGPYHjDfOCB7o~lrzjYWTQG0MP4jYUV4EG8Mp-aPsfCysTVGgVkuGTlqrQPrpVNr2ieqgHzexnkaxqfzn4EUG33Pp2EVzywenZ2rjCalRV7t8plDxmn9naYDm0OOPigoelhUY2mhTwla06hHSlqDv2temFUVu~m9TTIupVxMEupdTsNWCVk7SW1jsyWRLkyIDWVB3LaJFYaQ-lyHWooSV4sZ~Bzxu7RBzLHA-8ey5gTo5mWtSBl-D8iekEjnQBVI8jGdt3Ujj3tdInDA5U6Fxd2W1FHjH~KWbVtfjAnGcmDN88ULvcCgMrt3Btyd48e5PC2ZfIa-vOgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its March meeting, the Coventry Planning Commission voted to approve a one-year extension of preliminary plan approval for Woodland Manor 3, a proposed planned-unit development that would add 92 affordable residential units at the Woodland Manor apartment complex.

The extension applies to a preliminary plan for a PUD on roughly 19.2 acres on Woodland Drive. Andy Burns, managing member of HK Woodland 3 LLC, told the commission the owners had faced “a tumultuous financing environment” and had only recently brought in a new partner and revived conversations with Rhode Island Housing. “We were hoping to have commenced on a major renovation and rehab of Woodland 1 and 2 back a year and a half ago,” Burns said, and added the team intended to begin additional engineering and planning work this spring.

The commission’s action was procedural: Mr. Kenny moved to grant a one-year extension; Mr. Reyes seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote. Commissioners did not request additional conditions beyond the requested extension.

Why it matters: The project is tied to affordable-housing commitments for the Woodland Manor property and to future renovation work on existing Woodland 1 and 2 buildings. Burns said the applicants hope to begin construction on Woodland 1 and 2 this year and target mid-to-late next year for Woodland 3, but emphasized the timetable depends on financing and state allocations.

The applicant’s representative noted both the difficulty of assembling financing for mixed rehab/ground-up work and recent support from Rhode Island Housing. With the extension approved, the developer said it will proceed with engineering and planning tasks needed to pursue financing and building permits.

The commission did not take additional votes on Woodland Manor 3 at this meeting; the extension preserves the applicant’s existing preliminary approval for another year while the team completes the next steps.","The Coventry Planning Commission voted to grant a one-year extension of preliminary plan approval for Woodland Manor 3, a proposed 92-unit affordable housing development, after the project team described financing delays and plans to proceed with engineering and permitting this spring.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission debates two‑family and small multifamily standards for R‑20 zone; staff to draft code changes

Commission grants preliminary approval for 9,000-square-foot industrial building at 1600 Flat River Road

Planning commission approves one-year extension for Woodland Manor 3 preliminary plan