East Greenwich planners, affordable‑housing commission map path to meet state goals amid infrastructure limits

East Greenwich planning officials and members of the town’s Affordable Housing Commission reported to the Town Council on Sept. 29 that housing production is increasing but that the town remains well short of the state’s 10% affordable housing goal and will likely take decades to reach it at current build rates.

The planning director, Al Rinaldi, said the town’s long-term average for certificates of occupancy is about 18 housing units per year and “if you do the math, it will take us 70 years to reach a 10% goal,” a calculation he presented to the council as the baseline for planning choices. Affordable housing commissioners said the town has seen progress from several projects but cautioned that many approvals do not become occupied units immediately.

Why it matters: State policy now ties municipal planning reviews and access to some state resources to demonstrable production plans. East Greenwich officials said the town must be intentional about where and how housing is built — balancing development incentives, sewer and water capacity, and design standards — if it hopes to meet state expectations and qualify for funding that supports affordable developments.

Planning staff and the Affordable Housing Commission outlined current status and next steps. Shana DeFelice, chair of the Affordable Housing Commission, and commissioner Sue Peterson briefed the council on the commission’s outreach to state housing officials and the resources the state has allocated for housing production. Peterson said the state’s new housing office has larger staff capacity to promote programs and underwriting through Rhode Island Housing and that East Greenwich has benefited from recent approvals, citing the approved 410 units on Division Street and the Soria development as examples of projects that move local percentages.

Rinaldi described constraints the town faces when converting approvals into occupied affordable units. He told the council that the town is largely reliant on private developers and that land with sewer and water is limited in the west part of town. He said there are roughly 30 parcels of 10 acres or more but many lack sewer service, which limits immediate development. Rinaldi also noted that capital and service costs (public safety, roads, sewer capacity) must be considered alongside any production targets.

Commission and planning board members discussed tools the town can use, including: - Continuing to pursue state‑sponsored 100% affordable projects (similar to Soria) and supporting the East Greenwich Housing Authority when possible; these projects have the biggest immediate impact on the town’s affordable housing share. - Considering targeted incentives (for example, tax or fee relief) to encourage privately built “missing middle” housing types the town prefers. - Retaining inclusionary zoning at levels that avoid pushing most developers into the state comprehensive‑permit process, which provides applicants statutory avenues for waivers from local rules; speakers said a local requirement near the state’s 25% threshold tends to drive projects to the state comprehensive‑permit pathway. - Using the comprehensive‑plan update, due in 2026, to set clearer local priorities and design guidance that will help the town communicate desired housing types to developers.

Commissioners and planners flagged several policy tradeoffs. ADUs (accessory dwelling units) were discussed: commissioners noted ADUs increase local housing supply and “free up” units but are not deed‑restricted affordable units; the group cited a recent change in state law allowing ADUs to count as half an affordable unit in certain calculations. Speakers also warned that adding housing without planning for service impacts could raise long‑term costs to the town.

Next steps: Rinaldi said the town will issue the comprehensive‑plan request for proposals the week following the meeting and expects consultant proposals within 30 days. The planning staff will compile more precise data about projected certificates of occupancy, sewer capacity and water supply to inform the comp plan. Commissioners recommended strengthening coordination with the East Greenwich Housing Authority and with nonprofit developers that build 100% affordable housing.

The council did not take a formal vote on policy changes during the meeting; the exchanges were presented as informational and as guidance for the upcoming comprehensive‑plan process.

The council and staff agreed to provide quarterly updates as the comp‑plan work proceeds and the town pursues incentives and partnerships to accelerate affordable production.