Ordinance committee denies Caraway Drive rezoning after residents and planning commission oppose change

The Cranston City Council Ordinance Committee voted to deny a proposed rezoning of parcels off Caraway Drive in the Alpine Estates area that would have changed land from A80 to A20. The committee acted after extended public comment and a unanimous 5–0 negative recommendation from the Planning Commission.

Residents of Alpine Estates mounted sustained opposition at the committee meeting, citing traffic safety concerns from a single entrance and exit, existing flooding and high water tables in parts of the neighborhood, school capacity questions, and the risk that approving one rezoning would create a precedent for additional rezoning requests.

The committee’s vote to deny was taken after a motion to deny was made and seconded; roll call produced the following results: Councilman Campiano — yes; Councilman Bonanno — yes; Councilwoman Graziano — yes; Councilwoman Haroyan — yes; Council Vice President Wall — yes; Councilman Andujar — yes. The motion to deny the ordinance therefore passed on a unanimous vote of the members present.

Why it…