[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6505432,"mediaKeyId","5711250-484e9d91ce1ab7a5b833f1fc1d3b4946","parentId",5711250,"title","Smithfield council trims inclusionary housing requirement to 20% and removes fee‑in‑lieu after public hearing","audioSeconds",122,"startMs",894000,"endMs",1016000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711250-484e9d91ce1ab7a5b833f1fc1d3b4946&start=894&end=1016","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711250-484e9d91ce1ab7a5b833f1fc1d3b4946/thumbnail_894000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6505432/Rhode-Island/Smithfield-council-trims-inclusionary-housing-requirement-to-20-and-removes-feeinlieu-after-public-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505432-bc577de44e0aba7ef581c5e2a1c42b6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773547956&Signature=IJP7F49B~1rT9mmo3Q92ALSxllxzRiTnx7x6fbIV~2SeF9vakiFZwiBwFQ2ES1n-tSh8rGL~iFh6~OTbAjYRtrf0qZLdKNuLRo3qGSHgV2lUOi-NiHOMq0LTvp~CL~VDn5DpTfetYzzihSuWmxl06q36XMAzteQYGXIRUL-e~j9Wms0aM8gbvjWfiVh8UBcUJbyP1OIarIfUSSwYYvYfl-IhBqMhjHDF5Hitb7Rgoz-Fo0tvR0l-fvqHLkoTrO3y~~samXBCxbxsk6iwE6gPOeA16YgMybE7EdeCfelzZZa5jd8pgCL1Ytsqt5r~Q0HZgojJXygI4LKBE7I31iOvhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Smithfield","date","2025-09-03T14:13:14Z","article","The Smithfield Town Council on Sept. 2 approved amendments to Section 5.1 of the town zoning ordinance—commonly referred to as the inclusionary zoning rules—reducing the share of required low‑ and moderate‑income (LMI) units in certain new developments to 20% and leaving a previously removed fee‑in‑lieu provision out of the ordinance.

The amendment, which the planning board had recommended, also adjusts the size thresholds that trigger the inclusionary requirement: the ordinance now takes effect on single‑family developments of 10 or more units and on multifamily projects of six or more, as described during the hearing.

Why it matters: Town officials said the change is designed to make the local inclusionary option more competitive with the state’s comprehensive‑permit process, which developers sometimes use because it can yield density bonuses and a lower LMI percentage. The council and planning staff argued that lowering the local inclusionary percentage to 20% will encourage more developers to proceed under local zoning — and thus be subject to municipal standards and controls — rather than seeking comprehensive‑permit relief at the state level.

What was discussed: At the public hearing, residents asked for clarity on technical terms (\"large‑scale condo development,\" density bonuses) and raised concerns about affordability and the town’s ability to absorb high‑density projects. The town’s solicitor and planning staff explained that state law and the comprehensive‑permit statute affect how local inclusionary rules interact with developers’ options, and that the state’s changes to market‑rate bonuses required the town to revisit its local ordinance.

Key points adopted:
- Percentage: Council members agreed to amend the draft language from 15% (as posted) to 20% during the meeting to align options that would better compete with comprehensive permits.
- Fee‑in‑lieu: The planning board had recommended leaving the fee‑in‑lieu provision removed; the council kept that removal in place.
- Trigger thresholds: The amendment clarifies when inclusionary requirements apply to single‑family vs. multifamily projects (10+ single‑family, 6+ multifamily).
- Density bonus alignment: The amendment restores the town’s alignment with the state’s current approach to market‑rate unit bonuses (a change described in state statute history during the hearing).

Public reaction and context: Speakers included homeowners worried about traffic, municipal services and realistic affordability given local median incomes; others urged the council to pursue state‑level advocacy. The mayor, state representatives and town residents were mentioned in public comments about past efforts to change the statute at the state level.

Outcome: The council voted to adopt the amendment as recommended by the planning board and with the 20% figure inserted by motion. The ordinance amendment now moves to the town’s codified ordinances and will be implemented per the town’s established administrative process.

Ending: The change reflects a local effort to balance affordability goals with the practical incentives that guide private development. Officials said they will monitor whether the amendment causes more projects to stay under local zoning rather than seek comprehensive‑permit status.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","09/02/2025 Town Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Smithfield Town Council voted Sept. 2 to amend the town’s inclusionary zoning rules, setting a 20% low‑ and moderate‑income set‑aside for qualifying developments and keeping the ordinance’s fee‑in‑lieu option removed.","taxTitle","Smithfield, Providence County, Rhode Island","taxId",79585,"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},6505437,"Smithfield council approves zone change for Putnam Pike site with conditions after hours-long public hearing",4745,3980000,8725000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711250-484e9d91ce1ab7a5b833f1fc1d3b4946&start=3980&end=8725","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711250-484e9d91ce1ab7a5b833f1fc1d3b4946/thumbnail_3980000.jpg","/articles/6505437/Rhode-Island/Smithfield-council-approves-zone-change-for-Putnam-Pike-site-with-conditions-after-hours-long-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505437-05af3b6e9318df36bdbb4bb277bc90a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773547956&Signature=HHJeiXDRYucxfP73iTzgRWObFYLXiqWlZJlFt04BRTMkhpo-J3GlRB0nYtHq5sIjmjDBdGf3OSfhJKczldf1NfwqCb4AqXAIr7xeilY6QDRYxM7JdIUqyP7GJvNztsokRY1~0X2SGHwJSa3vFWJNEmWwgMuyowNBi9ba3K9ZWgje8f3hwXjfE0HmquqJRBEu3J7q28biLml5VZ-gCCNQtYt5gRdnrnj7GpOi-dWL0CdJRmG4rkOJ2XOQrW3JTCcFsaQ2~M5vQE0OAIF3Yd5U8F-cXwEsufe0zQ1x0Mer3ahiJIN4j4MEwA3i1osz4DTciNNPb1~bSgApqW5RN3Swig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Smithfield Town Council voted 3–2 Sept. 2 to amend the Putnam Pike/Esmerald Street Planned Development District to allow a four‑story medical office building and an accompanying residential component, subject to conditions the council added during the meeting.

Supporters said the medical facility would bring specialty orthopedic diagnostics and an ambulatory surgical center to the town, while residents and some council members pressed for sharper limits on housing density, traffic mitigation and stronger documentation of wetlands and infrastructure impacts.

The amendment was sponsored by the applicant and presented by attorney Joelle Rocha, who said the ordinance change would not increase the previously approved residential density for the site but would add the medical‑facility use to the zoning for the parcel. Developer representative Michael Antiglia described the proposed medical building as a 4‑story, roughly 25,000‑square‑foot‑per‑floor facility intended for outpatient orthopedic care, imaging and an ambulatory surgical center; he said the facility would have dedicated diagnostics (MRI, x‑ray, EOS) and a walk‑in orthopedic clinic for nonhospital care.

The council’s action was the most consequential of the night: it clears one statutory hurdle (the local zoning amendment) but does not approve any engineering, traffic or environmental permits. Rocha and the project team told the council they would next submit updated traffic studies, engineering designs and wetlands verifications to the planning board for peer review and public hearings.

Why it matters: the site near Route 44 and Esmerald Street has been under various proposals and approvals for more than a decade. Residents told the council they are already seeing severe traffic congestion and frequent flooding in adjacent neighborhoods, and many said they feared increased demand on schools, water and sewer systems.

What the council approved and the conditions: the council voted to permit the medical facility use and to carry forward residential development with a reduced unit total and an age‑targeting condition offered by the applicant at the meeting. As presented to the council during the vote, the developer agreed to a condition to cap the residential component at 100 units and to provide age‑restricted units (a percentage the applicant offered to make 20% age‑restricted as part of a negotiated condition). Council members framed that change as a compromise to lower the likely school, traffic and service impacts compared with the larger apartment counts previously discussed for the parcel.

Public concerns and planning process: more than a dozen residents and local stakeholders spoke during the hearing. Common concerns included:
- Traffic: numerous residents and at least one fire‑service speaker said Putnam Pike/Esmerald Street and nearby connections to Route 295 are already congested; several urged the council to require up‑to‑date traffic modeling that includes evening travel times (5–6 p.m.) as well as weekend peaks.
- Flooding and wetlands: speakers described flooding on nearby properties and asked that wetlands verification and 100‑year‑flood analyses be completed and published before approvals beyond zoning.
- School capacity, sewer and water: speakers said the town’s schools and municipal infrastructure are strained and asked for fiscal‑impact analysis and assurance about who would pay required off‑site infrastructure upgrades.

Several residents explicitly supported the medical use while opposing or asking limits on dense residential development. Others said the medical building would be preferable to a hotel or big‑box retail, which are allowed under current zoning.

Next steps: the council’s zoning amendment does not authorize construction. The developer and applicant told the council they will complete and submit site engineering, final traffic studies and wetlands work to the planning department; those materials will be subject to planning‑board hearings, peer review and state permitting (DOT and environmental reviews) before any building permit is issued.

Quotes (selected):
\"This building...will be a referral center for patients with back pain, joint pain, sports medicine,\" developer representative Michael Antiglia said, describing the medical program planned for the site.
\"There are traffic operational and safety issues that exist…adding major development to the site will substantially increase traffic,\" planning and longtime resident Tom Hodgkins said during public comment.

Ending: The council’s approval removes one local zoning obstacle for the site but leaves the most technical reviews — traffic, civil engineering and wetlands — to the planning board and state agencies. The applicant said it would move quickly to complete those studies; neighbors signaled they will press for thorough peer review and careful enforcement at the planning‑board stage.
","The Smithfield Town Council voted 3–2 Sept. 2 to amend the Putnam Pike/Esmerald Street Planned Development District to allow a four‑story medical office and a reduced residential component, after a public hearing that centered on traffic, wetlands and infrastructure worries.",{"_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},6505423,"Votes at a glance: Smithfield Town Council actions, Sept. 2, 2025",2615,776000,3391000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711250-484e9d91ce1ab7a5b833f1fc1d3b4946&start=776&end=3391","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711250-484e9d91ce1ab7a5b833f1fc1d3b4946/thumbnail_776000.jpg","/articles/6505423/Rhode-Island/Votes-at-a-glance-Smithfield-Town-Council-actions-Sept-2-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505423-70540724f0c450a7f9db4b4a9fa1e8b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773547956&Signature=CZPtujpkCwnehruv4GVK5Kmb~SaPqC9AhTOeDuX5kFNj0ABp7vuBGXU2zIV-7EuHtKhDTzvc0N5pWu-WmBdIuNPfZLv96UOPoU2Oro54hF35DG8pjNH9TxKbn0E3~ZSprrIYdx~Otb-TNwgM-CtFn1RJRZhRSXNKIx4vZhCd29bNU4aXTyPWjtnRTpckPLjauFYBZt7MDd6hOSp1gZH82uBqo9reGSXyqrUiNNN5CW1XnG5wrT9i5MhPsuSO06TqIbtxHQntRJy6Sa72d4tbkJv-0bB0ZQieMSM26AHwwrtEtWKH~pdvkHeEST0tP94US4issDmpfSEHp-IJiHUp0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Smithfield Town Council recorded the following formal actions at its Sept. 2 meeting. This list reflects motions and outcomes as stated in the meeting transcript; where vote tallies were announced, they are shown. Where the transcript did not record a roll‑call breakdown, the entry lists the outcome as recorded.

- Minutes and executive‑session approvals: The council approved the minutes of previous meetings, including executive‑session minutes; vote recorded \"Ayes have it\" for each motion.

- Appointments and reappointments: The council approved several board appointments and reappointments including Brandon England (budget/financial appointment, term expiring Jan. 2029), Gary Koss (Land Trust reappointment, term expiring Sept. 2027) and Brandon Riley (Economic Development Commission reappointment, term expiring Sept. 2026). Votes recorded as \"Ayes have it.\"

- Inclusionary zoning ordinance (Section 5.1): Adopted as amended in meeting to set affordable set‑aside at 20% and to keep the in‑lieu fee removed; outcome recorded \"Ayes have it.\"

- Public hearings scheduled and ordinance amendments: The council approved a change to Chapter 186 (entertainment shows and special events) to limit mailed notice requirements to events projected to draw 1,000 or more attendees; vote recorded \"Ayes have it.\" The council scheduled public hearings for amendments to juvenile hearing board, animal control, and taxation chapters for Oct. 7, 2025.

- One‑day special event license: Approved a one‑day special event license for Revive the Roots to hold a Rootstock celebration at 10 Forge Road on Sept. 21, 2025, 12 p.m.–6 p.m.; vote recorded \"Ayes have it.\"

- Putnam Pike / Esmerald Street zoning amendment: Council approved the amendment allowing a medical facility use and carrying forward residential development subject to conditions (see full article). Vote recorded 3–2 in favor.

- Mobile food truck license: Approved a mobile food truck license for Jordan Ice Cream; vote recorded \"Ayes have it.\"

- Disability pension: Authorized a disability pension for a Fire Department employee (Lieutenant Starkey) following insurer review; vote recorded \"Ayes have it.\"

- Police vehicles and equipment: Authorized the purchase of three fully equipped police vehicles through the Greater Boston Police Council bid (Colonial Municipal Group) in the amount of $161,459.26, financed through the town capital lease fund; the council also approved emergency equipment purchases for those vehicles from Island Tech Services of Warren, RI, for $84,673.40; both motions recorded \"Ayes have it.\" The council adopted a resolution authorizing the capital lease financing for the purchases.

- Contracts and procurement: The council authorized a one‑year extension for the town’s gasoline and diesel fuel purchase through the Rhode Island Purchasing Agents Association, and approved a pole petition for a new utility pole on Industrial Drive; votes recorded \"Ayes have it.\"

- Tax abatements: Approved tax abatements totaling $8,913.65; vote recorded \"Ayes have it.\"

Votes noted by the clerk at the meeting used the meeting language \"Ayes have it\" where roll‑call tallies were not read aloud. The Putnam Pike zoning amendment was the only item for which the transcript shows a recorded tally of 3–2.

Ending: Several of the matters approved by the council (zoning amendments, vehicle purchases, event licenses) now move to the administrative or planning stages for implementation; residents and interested parties should consult planning‑board agendas and the town clerk for follow‑up materials and permit filings.
","The council approved minutes, several appointments, zoning amendments, event licenses, procurement authorizations and vehicle purchases. This roundup lists each formal action, the outcome recorded in the meeting and key details the public needs to track in follow‑up reviews.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6505427,"Smithfield senior center director outlines outreach, mobile food bank and expanded transportation",425,100000,525000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711250-484e9d91ce1ab7a5b833f1fc1d3b4946&start=100&end=525","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711250-484e9d91ce1ab7a5b833f1fc1d3b4946/thumbnail_100000.jpg","/articles/6505427/Rhode-Island/Smithfield-senior-center-director-outlines-outreach-mobile-food-bank-and-expanded-transportation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505427-d2e5fe8484f1b37634a368fd5a828d5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773547956&Signature=L7t4ETL18YuRyVLsOGF3dD0S~yRZRkFTkpSsyg7pRtGnwwEMHnjx7W226~xVNi4uHwltgTYmpM2FOPRuvIDxLk9A7sB0RrrzCV7T9k6jeHHB5TQFm93-da3lyOoghqGOfmLCkEp92mhDtbyhuOP8t1UHgvePYwNUDeM7MjnUI08tJd~3Acml6aUfeezgIYwfx9lCeAwnJUtUntu01HDOvI~9zyG4xi-i-TEZM7B9fZxPijcdFa01jovUEpHFKjLYUwyOvEHCYjJ7Q-kMJ5kzou8h-iNsYvgsZIhrBuxuOuOaJKFXrdWGGdjfnKH2B~8E06bAnaF5IX7n-~T2aaBhWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Director Vinzabeli, the town’s new senior center director, presented an update to the Smithfield Town Council on Sept. 2 outlining staff changes, operations improvements and outreach programs intended to increase social connection for older residents.

Vinzabeli said the senior center and the human services department have focused since his April 7 start on four priorities: making the center welcoming and safe, ensuring confidentiality and high‑quality service, broadening engagement with residents across age ranges and strengthening community connections so older residents can age in place.

Recent changes and programs he described include upgrades to the phone system and technology infrastructure, an assessment of needed physical repairs at the facility, and coordination of eight separate local food‑bank partners to reduce duplication and improve access. Vinzabeli described a mobile food‑bank pickup program that started roughly three weeks before the meeting: staff collect fresh produce and other donations from community partners and deliver them to elderly housing complexes on Thursdays after other food‑bank distributions close.

Transportation and engagement: Vinzabeli said the town’s three vehicles (a van, a small bus and a 20‑passenger bus) increased scheduled runs from twice weekly to three or four times weekly to meet demand. He described a \"hop‑on the bus\" outreach in which the town manager and police chief rode routes to speak with riders directly; he said residents raised safety and tree‑overhang issues as well as practical needs such as food access.

Programming and facilities: the senior center resumed and expanded programming, including a planned community open house on Sept. 25 to mark 30 years of senior sessions. Vinzabeli said a golf‑simulator program has generated strong interest but has also strained indoor space and requires new funding and grant support. He said staff are pursuing state and local grants to sustain programming amid tight municipal budgets.

Public engagement: Council members asked for a one‑ or two‑page summary of the operational changes to enter into the meeting record; Vinzabeli said staff will provide that and reiterated the center’s approach to gathering public feedback through regular advisory‑council meetings, staff outreach and informal conversations on transit runs.

Ending: The director framed the work as an effort to keep residents connected and prepared for demographic change: the 45–55 age group is the town’s largest cohort and will create new service demands as it ages. The council did not take formal action on the presentation but asked for follow‑up materials to be entered into the public record.
","New senior center director Vinzabeli summarized upgrades to technology and phones, a new mobile food‑bank program delivering fresh food to senior housing, expanded transit runs and a community open house Sept. 25 as part of a larger plan to improve social connection and prepare for aging populations in Smithfield.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Smithfield council trims inclusionary housing requirement to 20% and removes fee‑in‑lieu after public hearing

Smithfield council approves zone change for Putnam Pike site with conditions after hours-long public hearing

Votes at a glance: Smithfield Town Council actions, Sept. 2, 2025

Smithfield senior center director outlines outreach, mobile food bank and expanded transportation