Resident urges R.I. agency answers as proposed Gooding Avenue hotel raises wetlands, flood concerns near Mount Hope High School

Veronica Tucker told the Bristol Warren Regional School Committee on Oct. 14 that she is concerned a proposed three‑story hotel on Gooding Avenue will harm nearby wetlands and could affect both the old and new Mount Hope High School.

Tucker, who said she represents the Bristol Land Trust and has lived in Bristol her whole life, said the state agency she identified as DEM declined a permit for the project in 2016 and that she wants to know “what changed” and why a permit has now been issued. “We as citizens of this town, we have the right to have DEM in front of us to answer questions,” she said during the committee’s public‑comment period.

Tucker said stormwater and mitigation are not adequate, and pointed to Silver Creek, senior housing nearby and a cemetery she said could be affected. She urged residents to attend upcoming planning‑board meetings, watch the Bristol Land Conservation Trust Facebook page for updates and write to town officials to register concerns. “Why all of a sudden are we building a hotel 3 stories high on wetlands?” she asked.

The committee did not take formal action on the comment at the meeting. Committee members and staff told Tucker they would note her request; Tucker urged additional public engagement with the planning board and the town’s permitting process.

Why it matters: The applicant’s permitting decisions involve state and municipal agencies, and the site Tucker identified sits near school property and community resources. If confirmed, changes to mitigation or stormwater treatment at a permitted development can affect flood risk, nearby streams and protected resources.

Next steps noted in the meeting: Tucker asked residents to attend planning‑board hearings and to contact relevant town officials. Committee members said they expected the town planning board and the municipal permitting process to be the venues for technical review; Tucker asked specifically for a state agency representative to appear before the public to explain the permitting changes.

Clarifying details raised publicly: Tucker said DEM refused a permit in 2016 but that an approval has since been issued; she said there is “no mitigation system” on the site as presented to her, and described the site as including wetlands crossed by Silver Creek, senior housing nearby and an impacted cemetery.

Community context: The comment was made during public comment at a school‑committee meeting; staff did not record any formal committee vote on the matter during the meeting. Local residents and organizations were urged by Tucker to organize and follow the planning‑board agenda.