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Residents, councilors press city to act on large asphalt and debris piles at Natick Avenue landscaping site
Summary
Councilors and residents pressed the administration Aug. 4 to address large piles of asphalt and construction material stored at 460 Natick Avenue, saying the mounds present potential fire and zoning problems and remain despite earlier promises to remove them.
Cranston councilors raised renewed concerns Aug. 4 about operations at 460 Natick Avenue, a site described in committee discussion as a lawn‑care/manufacturing yard where large piles of asphalt and other construction materials are stored. Councilor Ritz and other members said neighbors reported piles of asphalt, visible transloading of material, and lingering safety worries after a previous fire at the site.
Council President Moreno told the committee the property owner had previously acknowledged materials on the lot and was expected to remove them, “but guess what? They're still there, and we're in August.” Councilors asked the administration and code enforcement for a prompt, documented follow‑up.
Legal and enforcement guidance: City counsel and the solicitor told the committee the situation raises several possible, overlapping legal issues: whether the site is a prior nonconforming use (sometimes called grandfathered), whether current activity constitutes manufacturing (for example, regrinding asphalt) rather than farming, and whether state regulations on solid waste apply to large stockpiles of construction material. The solicitor said these are fact‑intensive questions that require a site inspection, a review of the property's zoning history, and consultation with state regulators when material qualifies as solid waste.
Why it matters: Councilors described the piles as a continuing fire risk and said the prior fire in 2024 had highlighted the potential for a major hazard. Council members asked for the code enforcement officer and the building/zoning official to appear at the next Safety & Service meeting with findings, any citations issued, and an explanation of whether the property has a lawful nonconforming status.
Next steps: The committee kept the item on the docket and asked the administration to ensure code enforcement returns to the site, documents any violations or compliance steps, and notifies the property owner. If the activity qualifies as manufacturing or involves regulated solid waste, councilors said they expect the administration to explain the legal pathway for remediation, possible state involvement, and timelines for cleanup.
