Planning commission finds three PY23 CDBG proposals consistent with town plan, ranks Quidneck Road improvements first

The Coventry Planning Commission on April 23 certified three proposed PY23 Community Development Block Grant activities as consistent with the town's comprehensive plan, ranked them for submission, and voted to recommend that the town manager file the applications with the state.

The certified projects were: (1) Quidneck Road improvements, a public-works project covering 14 roads with an estimated cost of $520,741.75; (2) an expansion of the Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP) adult basic-education services for Coventry youth, proposed at $40,000; and (3) a Public Works Department HVAC replacement for the Human Services Building, listed at $1,120,573.5 in staff materials.

The commission's action followed a staff presentation summarizing rankings and the required consistency certification. Planner staff recommended ranking Quidneck Road improvements first, the CCAP youth education expansion second and the Human Services Building HVAC third; commissioners adopted that ranking by motion. Chairman Flynn and other commissioners then voted to recommend that the town council authorize the town manager to file the three applications with the Rhode Island Department of Housing and Community Development.

Commissioner Smith moved that all three applications are consistent with the town's comprehensive community plan and local development regulations and that staff reports be incorporated into the motion; the commission approved the motion unanimously. Commissioner Cooney (recorded in the minutes as Coloney/Colonian in different places) moved to adopt the staff ranking and that motion also carried.

There was no public testimony at the hearing. The commission opened and closed the public hearing for the CDBG proposals and recorded no oral comments from in-room or Zoom participants.

The commission's votes now move the projects to the town council for final authorization of application filing with the state CDBG program.

The planning staff report included project cost figures and a recommendation rationale; the commission incorporated those reports into its motions. The commission did not set any additional conditions beyond the requested rankings and the recommendation to file.

The commission's action is advisory to the town council, which must authorize application submission and any municipal match or commitments required by the state CDBG program. Staff told commissioners the ranking and certification will accompany the town manager's application packet to the state.

The commission handled the matter in a single agenda block; the recorded motions passed by voice vote with no recorded dissents.