Commission gives unanimous negative recommendation on rezoning request for Caraway Drive parcels after hours of neighbor opposition

The Cranston City Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward a negative recommendation to City Council on an application to rezone a parcel at the terminus of Caraway Drive from A‑80 (80,000‑square‑foot minimum lots) to A‑20 (20,000‑square‑foot minimum lots).

Planner Ashman told commissioners the application was submitted before the 2024 comprehensive plan was adopted and staff analyzed the request against the plan that was in effect when the application was filed; staff recommended a positive recommendation based on 2012 plan consistency and neighborhood lot patterns. The applicant’s attorney, Enrico Scunggio, and consultant Clemento argued the parcel is consistent with the older comp‑plan direction and the neighborhood pattern of A‑20 lots in Alpine Estates.

Dozens of neighbors attending in person and on Zoom opposed the rezoning. Residents said Alpine Estates relies on a single entrance and exit, the local elementary schools (including Orchard Farms) are at or near capacity, the neighborhood suffers from surface‑water and high‑groundwater problems, and rezoning would set a precedent enabling additional neighboring parcels to be rezoned. Several speakers noted they bought homes understanding the A‑80 zoning and urged the commission to protect the existing neighborhood pattern.

Commissioners cited the updated 2024 comprehensive plan and neighborhood impacts in their discussion. President Frias said that under the current plan the land remains A‑80 and that “there is no legal vesting to a recommended zone change in an outdated comp plan.” Commissioners Renzulli and others expressed specific concerns about school capacity and traffic congestion tied to the single egress.

Commissioner Renzulli moved for a negative recommendation to City Council; the motion, seconded by Commissioner Exter, carried unanimously.